Album Description

Hernan Cattaneo has always been one of South America¹s biggest DJs, but his opportunity to truly break out globally came when ŒClubland¹, the weekly Saturday at Pacha, Buenos Aries, became recognized as one of, if not THE world¹s best club.Hernan suddenly found himself playing alongside the likes of Sasha, Tenaglia, Deep Dish and Paul Oakenfold.Although all highlighted him as Œone to watch¹, it was Oakie who snapped Hernan up, taking him on world tours as his official warm-up and signing him to his Perfecto label for the lauded mix comp, Perfecto Presents: South America (Thrive, 2002).From this things blossomed, with further career highs including opening DJ sets on Underwold¹s 2003 US run, a slot at the 2003 Coachella festival, & remixes for Deep Dish¹s Shinichi label.Most recent highlights include a remix of Morgan Page for John Digweed¹s Bedrock label (as can be heard on this album) and, of course, his confirmation as the next DJ to mix a Renaissance Masters album, where Hernan joins such esteemed company as Deep Dish and Dave Seaman in this massively successful mix CD series.

With Masters, Hernan expands upon his trademark deep Œn sexy tribal sound. The tracklisting reads like a trainspotter¹s wet dream and includes some of the most upfront progressive house tracks from the likes of Josh Wink, Danny Howells,Luke Chable, Jay Tripwire, and the debut CD appearance of the current global dancefloor hit, ³Age of Love.² ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Im taken aback
Lets just say that Hernans set here is one of the quirkiest, funkiest, uplifting sets ive heard in a LONG time. i dont know what some of the people are saying here that Hernan has succumbed to Oakenfolds Cheese..... This Set is the OPPOSITE

CD1 is a mellow opener which carries some wicked drum beats and bubble basslines. I was skeptical of the start of the CD at first but after listening to it i can really see how much creativity Hernan has put into it. Attepmting to slow-burn the audience into a full-on CHAR!

CD2 This CD starts off a bit slow with some tracks that im not to fond of but flow extremely well into the next few ones. Once track 6 kicks in the Full-on Char that Hernan has been cookin up turns to a full on Burn mix through some of the greatest prog tunes to date. The end is a sugar rush through an incredible breakbeat song to end the mix in harmony.

CD1 - 5 Stars
CD2 - 4.5 Stars

Buy this if u are in the mood of a slowburning patient mix for the open minded who are lookin for something different yet good.

Best comp CD end of 03 beginning of 04
This CD truly portrays the sound of the Renaissance serries to me. Great track selection and excellent mixing by Hernan. This one tops of Sanders recent Renaissance cd. the Melodies in Richard Davies - The Air, and Danny Howells & Stef Vrolijk - Phono Corono is amazing. on CD 1 Tracks 2,3,4,5,6,12 are stand out tracks in my mind. Especially Track 12, Agent001- Bubblebath (16b Remix). Agent001 is a very talented group, I'm glad one of their tracks was included in this mix.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS - A M A Z I N G .
I wasn't going to write a review of this CD - even though I feel it is tied with Sander Kleinenberg's "Everybody" CD as being the best progressive house CD released in the last 6 months - but too many people gave this CD a 3 star review - AND THAT MADE ME ANGRY!

Everything on this CD, from track selection, to mixing, to programming is EXCELLENT.

Disc One is lush, techy, deep progressive house at it's finest - as good as anything Digweed has ever put together.

Disc Two is full-on peak time progressive house - and it too is as good as it gets.

Like most compilations, you probably won't like EVERY track on here.

BUT, like most great progressive compilations, you should LOVE most tracks on here.

Take it from a guy that owns practically EVERY decent progressive house compilation released in the last 6 years; take it from an aspiring progressive house DJ that owns over 1000 vinyl records, and will be hunting down most of the tracks on this compilation - THIS CD IS EXCELLENT.

Hernan did an amazing job showing his own unique sound. But.
As we all know Hernan Cattaneo is from South America and his sound of house has always been sort of a connection to where his from. But after all every famous Dj (Sander Kleinenberg, Deep Dish, Satoshi Tomiie and etc...) has his own unique way of working the dancefloor.

Hernan's track selection is sort of worked on how the mix is building. He wants the mix to go very smooth and maybee some of the trax he put on here werent because they are good but because the mix sounds a lot smoother with them.

For example, the first 2 tracks on the first cd i dont consider music, but a lame INTRO to tracks 3, 4, 5 which are amazing. Then it starts to fall apart again. Tracks 6, 7, 8 and all the way till 9 (boring!!), where matthew deekay jumps in with symbiosis the herbal dub. Tiger corps is "alright" with the jazz sounds and the last track, PQM really puts an end to the first cd. nice track.

Cd#2

Track 1 with Chab, i only have one question. Why the hell would you put the Vocal????? The vocals just killed that track.

Second CD is a little better then the first. But then again has those moments where you just wanna skip to the next track, The REAL mix starts from track 6.

Anyway ill be brief. The highlights of the second cd are tracks 6 (Hazy Way), 7 (Quest), 8 (Steve May (Real nice)), 9 (Danny Howells did a good job creating the beat, but then again the vocal kills it at times. 10 (Central). The rest of the tracks you will survive hearing.

Bottom Line = 3.5 Stars

Just because mixing was very good, And this mix really represents Hernan's sound. And out of 2 cd's there are about 10 good tracks.

I Might be crazy or something but it seems like where you hear those cd's, its like you can almost feel the hot weather from south america. Like you would have a rave in the dessert hearing those tracks. A PERFECT UNIQUE HOUSE STYLE that HERNAN wants to represent. Not neccesserely everyone will like tho. Me for example, im a huge fan of Sander Kleinenberg, and the greatest album i heard so far is EVERYBODY (5 Stars!!!).

Hope this was helpful

Oakenfold? Is that you?
Well, it looks like Señor Cattaneo has finally succumbed to Oakenfold's label and his newfound unmotivated, uninspired, unimaginative "talent." Naturally, one would compare Hernan's new CD to his previous one, expecting immaculate track selection and unparalled mixing. However, that's not the case.

CD1 reminded me of 1970s porn background music with hints of rock at some instances. It was very mellow and downtempo. Any more unimaginative and it would border elevator music quality.

CD2 was more fresh and upbeat. There was nothing that wowed me; nothing that made me want to shake my head in anticipation of the next track. All tracks were plain and simple. 3 stars is generous and no, playing it louder is not gonna help!

I just hope that after Sandra Collins' KILLER Perfecto mix, she doesn't become a brainwashed pop artist wannabe such as Oakenfold and Cattaneo. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

The latest in the Northern Exposure series of trance-techno journeys undertaken by two of the most respected DJs in the world, Expeditions finds Sasha and John Digweed fashioning a set from some fine underground cuts. The disc carries the atmosphere of Jean Michel Jarre while maintaining the pace and energy of Orbital. Using Breeder's "Tyrantanic" as their warm-up, the dynamic duo seamlessly utilize simple techno beats with the likes of Jayn Hanna's "The Light," pumping after-hours house such as Mono Culture's "Free," and deliciously simple trance as in Red Devil's "Gamelan." Maintaining the traditions of previous Northern Exposure sets, there are two different discs for slightly different moods--the first more of a late-night soundtrack, the latter a blue-sky marathon--but both work equally well sequentially or separately. Expeditions is a dynamically balanced dance journey that takes you through many of the vistas electronica and DJ culture has to offer. No phrasebook is necessary. --Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (115)

Excellent... subtract a star because its mixed on computer
After being blown away by GU009 - San Francisco (especially CD1 - simply perfect), Sasha has become my GOD, so I bought this CD to get my next 'fix'.

On the first listen, I was slightly dissappointed with both discs, but that usually is a result of my flicking through to hear the tracks I know (I was busting to hear Silence again!). Since then, most of the tracks have become must-haves for my Dj sets (especially 'Belfunk' for it's unbelievable build, 'Silence' for its ability to make me cry, 'Gamelan' for another kick-butt build, and 'Rock Stone' because it's from the Breeder stable!), so I ran out and got a copy on vinyl too.

Disc 1 is a perfect example of what a mix CD should be - starting slowly and peacefully, gradually gaining momentum before taking you to an energetic (or in this case - emotional) peak, and then oozing into a relaxing end to put your mind back where it started. Sasha begins with the ambient-like 'Tyrantanic', a breakbeat offering from Breeder, in which he spends about 3 minutes beautifully tieing in the soothing 'Space Manoeuvres'. He then gradually picks up the pace, before reaching an astonishingly emotional peak with Delerium's 'Silence'. From there, Sasha eases things to end the set and put you back in a normal state of mind. Disc 2 is more your dance-floor type affair - less emotional and thought-out than Disc 1, yet more energetic and spontaneous. Despite being rather ambient (and to my tastes, slightly boring) for the first 3 tracks, things pick up with Der Dritte Raum's 'Polarstern'. Digweed really begins to rock when the purely wicked 'Gamelan' kicks in, which he strongly follows up on with 'Mess With Da Bull', 'Love Stimulation' and 'Rock Stone'. Digweed then changes the pace by introducing a vocal track - with the help of Delta Lady's 'Anything You Want', and finally caps off the set with Mike Koglin's 'The Silence', which very appropriately commands the listener to "enjoy the silence" that awaits him/her when the CD spins down into inaudibility.

I strongly believe that Sasha blows Digweed out of the water on this occassion (especially in terms of touching the listener and 'blending' his tracks harmonically), but I make this judgement with a bias towards preferring emotional journeys over dance-floor assaults on mix CDs (this explains my unpopular opinion that the spine-tingling CD1 of GU009 is slightly better than the more banging CD2)

It's the first time I've heard Digweed, and I must say that although his track selection on this album is very good and the mixing is flawless (although as a DJ, I must say that the style and perfection of the mixing on both discs indicates the help of a computer), his set lacks the variation, emotion and all out creativity of the 'man-like' Sasha's offering.

"Northern Exposure: Expeditions" is a wonderful offering from what are probably the two best DJ's on the planet (Sasha by an absolute mile!). Although it failed to have the mind-blowing effect of Sasha's recent Global Underground offering, it is a superb listen and well worth any passionate dance fan's dollars.

the masters of emotion
I simply cannot say enough good things about Sasha and John Digweed. Anyone who has listened to their music extensively will probably testify that alone they are fantastic DJ's, but together they are magical. S & D are masters of their craft who know exactly how to weave patterns of sound that elicit powerful emotional responses. More than once have I been driving in my car, listening to S&D,and been completely moved to tears. The way in which they subtly blend the sounds together is amazing. Their attention to detail is unequaled. Anyone who can truly appreciate fabulous mixing, combined with a track selection that is very well planned out, absolutely cannot ignore anything by these artists. This CD in particular is a good example of the skills of Sasha and Digweed. The first disc begins with a rush of sound that cascades into the melodic and beautiful rhythms of Space Manouevers. Some gentle vocals whisper at you in I Know You Love Me Too. The pristine simplicity of Sasha's own Belfunk adds a nice touch of personality. Absent from the US release is the excellent Sarah McClachlan remix. The second CD is very different. The ambient Seaside Atmosphere beginsthe CD, with the downbeat mood carrying over subtly into tracks 3 and 4. Here the pace which was only beginning to show itself starts to pick up. The synth rhythms here layer themselves in such a way as to give you many different layers to pick out. The upward spiral of Pure Frictions Groove carries over perfectly into Gamelan from Red Devil. Track 7, Mess With Da Bull, brings about a highly energetic climax which blends the beat with the melody fantastically. The crescendo from 7 falls beautifully into the melodic Love Stimulation from Paul Van Dyk and crew. Breeder (a favorite of S&D) brings a tune written exclusively for this mix in next. The combination of a tune by Breeder fitted into the mix perfectly by S&D makes this track a great standout. The mood then changes to the vocal track Anything You Want. The way the breakbeats just creep themselves in there always makes my spine tingle. What can I say about "The Silence?" This track is a complete miracle. It is one of the best songs I have ever heard, period. Anyone who can appreciate well done music will like this track, regardless of what style they like. A great end to a FABULOUS mix. These artists are the absoulte best at what they do, and this is one of their best works. Find out why so many people have made these two their Alpha and Omega of music. Try it !

The more you listen, the better it gets.
When I first listened to this cd, I waas kinda dissapionted, thre weren't any cool trance tracks with awesome melodies or anything. But the more I listened, the more I liked it. I grew to like a lot of tracks, some are kind of hard and annoying, but thre a many great tracks that a very catchy. If you don't mind some hard tecnho, get this cd.

Progressive's Blueprint.
Imho Sasha & Digweed's glorious 2-disc set "Expeditions" is THE original progressive mix. Or whatever we now consider "Progressive" music, a genre that is I guess an off-shoot of the Progressive Trance or Progressive House genres. I get confused all the time with genres, since there are so many. But who cares as long as it kicks ass. And this unequivocally does. S&D have what seems to be an innate sense of what different musical styles will mesh and how to color them with trippy effects spinning the results into a collage that never bores its listeners. This is required listening for anyone interested in the Electronic genre. Coming out in 1998 I'd like to answer critics who argue Expeditions hasn't aged well. I can only respond to that by saying I recently gave this another listen and it's just as invigorating today as it was 6 years ago. Come on S&D, get some new product out to your fans. We love your solo stuff but your collaborative efforts are at another level altogether. You guys are meant to make great music together, and are sorely missed as a unit.

this is real trance
No, this is no paul van dyk, no tiesto, no armin van buuren. This is trance. Real trance. Not pop. No cookie cutter breakdowns, buildups, and hit-me-over-the head anthems here. Thank you S&D. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Embracing neither the rampant guest appearances favored by the Chemical Brothers, nor the blatant, pop-flavored pandering of recent work from Paul Oakenfold and BT, Sasha's first studio full-length mimics the up-down-up pattern of a classic trance mix. As closely associated as he is with John Digweed, Airdrawndagger illustrates their different tendencies: Digweed is most comfortable with sinister, subterranean grooves, while Sasha is always threatening to float over the dance floor. Accordingly, Airdrawndagger's head is firmly in the clouds, but it's also a clever mish-mash, convincingly melding electro and ambient sounds with occasional four-on-the-floors, like "Bloodlock" and "Golden Arm." Tracks like "Mr. Tiddles" have a warm facility with machines worthy of a Depeche Mode, as Sasha transforms the grandiose, operatic pretensions of trance into a quick and potent chunk of dance pop. The brooding "Cloud Cuckoo" starts off in a similar vein before building itself up into a wash of overlapping beats and sweeping melody that recalls Sasha's Xpander EP. Throughout the record, Sasha stretches himself in the right directions, pulling off the trick of sticking to what he does best while summoning up the creative juice to make Airdrawndagger just new enough to be fascinating. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (140)

Not the usual, but great nonetheless
like the others before me, i must stress this album bears very little resemblence to sasha's DJ mixes, or even his previous production efforts (club anthems such as XPander). This however, is not a bad thing. It is an album to be listened to on headphones or your home system. if you dont listen to it closely, it sounds very interestingly like old video game music. that said, this album is wonderful as you listen to it more, particularly with your headphones cranked up. the depth and detail with which sasha tweaked his synths and sequenced melodies is incredible....and some songs are just, for lack of a better word, sweet. Cloud Cuckoo, bloodlock, and Wavy Gravy come to mind. the album opens with some fluttering synths, panning back and forth, which then slide into the next track with a somewhat menacing bassline. a perfect intro for the album, setting the general mood for whats to come. cloud cuckoo has a nice ambient synth build up along with a nice beat, and just before the 4:00 minute mark erupts in a synthesized ecstasy....play it loud on your headphones and you know what i mean. bloodlock is an interesting track, very "trippy", with a thumping beat and a hypnotically repeating synth line with lots of reverb. the track slowly builds up with wispy hi hats and more subtle synth lines..requiem is a very pleasnant, almost entirely ambient track...the last minute or so has a beautiful syncopated synth arperggio which is very mesmerizing. wavy gravy is a very happy sounding song...soothing and relaxing, and a great way to close the album. not every track is a gem, though the album does make a logical progression and no song seems out of place. give it a try with an open mind, and dont expect a floor-rocking anthem packed party disc. dance music this is not.

Heavy Rotation
After about the second listen or so, you really begin to understand what makes Sasha so great. If you've followed his music and really appreciated his dj work and all that, then this cd will make perfect sense to you. Just don't expect this to be like a Global Underground release. There is still a journey here, even if the tracks aren't seamlessly stitched together. It's very heavy on the electronica, but it goes well beyond that (like his GU sessions, and his Northern Exposure work w/Diggers).

There are all kinds of sweet and tasty groves in here, varying in musical styles while still keeping with the solid electronic theme. You can hear Junkie XL's influence in terms of this broad range of sounds. As well as hearing some of his own Xpander and Scorchio influences, I was also reminded of early Depeche Mode, some Freaky Chakra, and a little Jondi & Spesh.

The experience begins early (at exactly one minute into the first track), continuing slowly along with gems like "Magnetic North", and "Cloud Cuckoo". It goes through a slightly 'harder' stretch, with "Immortal" and "Fundamental", and then reaches a spiritual plateau in the last five tracks. And somewhere in there is when you finally come face to face with it...Sasha's soul. Incredible.

Call it trance, electronica, ambient, techno...whatever. I really don't want to categorise this at all. It's the spirit of the music that comes through, which is evident in everything Sasha's ever had a hand in. It is what it is. Amazing.

Most captivating electronic release in recent years
Sasha unleashed this debut artist album out of what seemed like the blue. Fans snatched it up immediately and ran to their cars to hear this "trance master"'s debut CD. Most had heard his Xpander E.P. which featured the mind melding trance track of the same name. They eagerly dropped in Airdrawndagger only to find a CD reaking of subtle melodies and moods. Punishing breakbeats shattered their hopes of a trance release and pulsating, hypnotic beats just didn't slam like they should.

Sasha had just released a subtle masterpiece ahead of its time that flew over almost everyone's head.

This is Airdrawndagger.

Actually 3.5 Stars
To rate this album 3.5 stars does not mean it is not an awesome album, on th contrary, it is one of the most inovative pieces of work that electronica music has ever witnessed. However, it is not a dance album per say, and the statement "the most awaited dance album of the year" does not really fit the Airdrawndagger release. Sasha's artis album is a studio 'listening to' not 'dancing to'CD. It is good in that the tracks give you a strong indication of who Sasha really is artistically. Airdrwndagger is a pieace of his soul, a window to his imagination, thoughts and emotions.

As for the tracks, well Sasha is a genius in his field when it comes to remix, compile and mix tracks. But the tracks here in Airdrwndagger is written completely by Sasha with the collaboration of few of his friends, that is a huge task to say the least. So don't expect every track to be good, it is not easy to write so many tracks all by one person.

If you are a Sasha fan just like I am, then it is worth getting this album. And if you think you would like to get this album because you own Sasha's GU IBIZA (the Bible of trance house)and think it is another one like it, well think again.

Um, what am I listening to? 'Cause I like it.
Sasha's debut studio album is about as explainable as its title, Airdrawndagger. It's not the high-energy trance akin to Xpander that made the British DJ's name immortal in the dance world. Instead, it's something of a mix of some really old-school electronica with an ambient touch and a kick of breaks.

The album starts on a decidedly trippy note with Drempels, before moving into Mr Tiddles (yeah, that's the title), a funky little tune inspired by Sasha's cat that starts off slow and slowly soars into an almost epic, yet highly controlled, climax. The album picks up speed (speed being relative, as these are both chilled tracks) with Magnetic North and Cloud Cuckoo, probably my two favorite numbers on the CD. Electro beats and dreamy melodies don't take over, however, as the dark and leaden Immortal and Fundamental follow. The album continues in this wave-esque build-up-and-slow-down pattern right up until its conclusion (the melodic Wavy Gravy), with the seemingly Vangelis inspired Requiem and Bloodlock, the closest thing to a true club track.

Sasha's touch is an odd one. The album is suprisingly minimalistic sounding at first, but further scrutiny reveals a fair amount going on. Samples played backwards, subtle "skipping" progressions, and carefully timed synth pads all come together to create the retro, yet surprisingly fresh sound that dominates the album.

Sasha's Airdrawndagger is not a dance album. Those looking for high-energy dance cuts had best check out his Global Underground mix CD Ibiza. Those looking for a new and experimental style of electronic album, however, will be quite comfortable holding air drawn daggers. Dark, dreamy, Sasha's first is a strange and surreal one, and for those willing to give it a listen, its possibly a very satisfying aural expedition. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

HOT HOT HOT....SESSIONS
This is an awesome mix....Markus has already taken over the trance scene with his weekly GDB....this 2 cd set is an example of his amazing music sets...spend some money...show some love...YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED.

Truly defining a certain soundscape!!
This CD ponders where we are headed. This CD belongs in your collection for you true sound lovers. It never stops letting go. I haven't enjoyed a CD so much since........damn has it been that long... LOL

The sound is exactly where we are headed and creates a solid flow of steady rhythm. It is very different and has sounds which are almost to good to be true. Everything seems so delicate but perfectly balanced. ... Read more

Reviews (74)

BT's best album to date!
This is by far BT's(aka Brian Transeau)best wprk to date and doesn't seem like over three years since it's release. BT's mucis is so odd that it's hard to class it as any Genre. Some is pure trance, some is techno and some is kind of techno rock. It has our favourite chill out trance track "Flaming June". But the best thing has to be the Jan Johnston vocal tracks "Remember" as we all know and "Lullaby For Gaia". Jan Johnston's vocals are of a unique, heavenly style which no there singer-songwriter can have. There are a couple of bad tracks like the awful "Love, Peace & grease" and i don't like "Mermories In A Sea Of Forgetfulness" much either! But the rest is so good you won't care.! Defintely worth checking out!

Wonderful music!
I only discovered BT's greatness some time ago, i'd heard him before but only very fast so i never got a real impression of his music. BT aka Brian Transeau is a american dj that makes dream-dance. A very sensual and beautiful kind of trance. The songs are often slow and quite deep. "Orbitus Teranus" has to be one of the most beautiful songs of the genre, a slow piano song with wonderful melody. The song that catch my attention was "Flaming June" though, it's faster but still sensual with sounds of a inca flute. Very meliodic and charming. BT is a extra ordinary mixer, so he creates a very unique sound to his music. I'm crazy for instrumental songs but there are a few good that aren't instrumental aswell. "Lullaby for Gaia" with Jan Johnson. And "Firewater" with T.H Culhane. "Content" sounds alot like "Orbitus" and it's also beautiful. "Memories In A Sea Of Forgetfulness" has a very unique deep sound too, but it's darker then most here. "Solar Plexus" is the fastest song, it's almost rock at some point. Overall it's a wonderful album, probably his best. I really understand why many like his music, cause it appeal to many diffrent musically interested persons, it's easy and artistic. Great work.

best of the best
Hands down one of THE best electronic albums of all time. This album didn't get as much attention as it should have, but it deserves it.

This album has every emotion, tempo, beat, chord you would desire.

If you like ANY type of electronic music this album is the bridge between them. From breakbeat, to trance, to progressive, to pop. One of the best finds!!!

Tasty compositional variety in a narrow genre
Some guys have the ability to "put stuff together," making otherwise mundane material seem fresh...again. BT seems to have that ability. In a musical sub-genre where the songs can all start sounding the same, he finds a way to make each song memorable with am excellent balance of starts and stops, changes in texture and beat, and crescendos to tense climaxes interwoven with blissful, wallowing, dreamy splashdowns.

Although this album does not have the unrelenting drive that many trance-dance freaks look for, it has something just as valuable to replace it--well executed ear candy that gets stronger and better as the album progresses. Nicely done.

Try it, you'll like it!

THE BEST ALBUM BY BT
This one is really the work of a mad genius, BT is able to combine elements as no others. Nature sounds, classical instruments, hip hop, rock, ambient, trance and even videogame samples. The best songs so far are the well known "flaming june", "lullaby for Gaia" a poppish song with piano, guitars and the heavenly voice of "Jan Johnston", "remember" another song with Jan Johnston with gorgeous melodies and strings and "content", the best piano melody I've ever heard in a dance song.
This one is history in the making ... Read more

Reviews (8)

5 Full 12" mixes make it a great buy.
I was always curious about the music of Colonel Abrams since I began keeping track of the Billboard Club Chart in late 1986. In 1987 Colonel Abrams went to number one for 2 weeks with "How Soon We Forget" and I have always wanted a copy on cd. This collection has 5 full 12" mixes on it. Colonel Abrams has 4 number one dance records on the Billboard charts :"How Soon We Forget","Trapped" and "I'm Not Gonna Let You" plus his other chart topper was listed as Colonel Abrams (LP). The voice is a mixture of Teddy Pendergrass and Johnny Gill.The collection also highlights some of his ballads as well. But the main reason to by is the 12" dance mixes. In a time when club music got played on black radio this is a time I wish still coninued today. The 12" mixes for "The Truth" (7:50),"Trapped" (6:30),"I'm Not Gonna Let You" (6:50--absolutely incredible),"How Soon We Forget"(7:49-early chicago type house mix) and the mid tempo club hit-#46-"Over And Over" (6:22) are worth the price. "Speculation" was a club single but no 12" was included. Cd runs around 63 minutes long. Great 80's dance music.

Great artist deserves a better compilation
Colonel Abrams was the artist in the 80's for 'those in the know'. He was big in R&B circles but never really crossed into the mainstream (which must have been due to promotion as he was talented enough!).

I was glad to see this compilation, as in record stores it was hard to find a CD that included all of his work that I remembered listening to on the radio, and hearing in clubs.

Here is why I don't give the CD 5 stars: the mixes aren't that great. Perhaps I am a product of New York radio, but I remember stronger versions out there of songs like 'Speculation', and I was dissapointed to learn that they weren't what was placed in this CD.

Three Cheers for "The Colonel"
I am now 33 years old (about to turn 34 years old in November); but I still remember "The Colonel" singing the standards Truth; Running; How Soon We Forget; Speculation; Never Change; Trapped; I'm Not Gonna Let You; and Table for Two playing on my Urban Contemporary Adult music station when I was a teenager residing in Connecticut (New Haven County on the Long Island Shore). "Never Change" and
"Table for Two" were actually played on this particular radio station's version of "Quiet Storm"; and I remember either relaxing or falling asleep to these two songs. Finding this CD is both a godsend and in the process brought back these memories; and if you too were listening to the radio when I was a teenager or, in the alternative, tuning in to "Soul Train", you would understand that this CD is one of the "must haves" for Old Skool folks.

Dancefloor King
Colonel Abrahams has to have one of the most distinctive voices ever. With dance classics such as "Trapped," "How Soon We Forget," and the Top 10 R&B smash "I'm Not Gonna Let You," it's no wonder music lovers became captivated by his unique style instantly. A voice similar to R&B's superior Teddy Pendergrass, this immaculate collection takes us back to a time when it was alright to let loose and dance the night away.

He's da Man!
Colonel Abrams was one of the pioneers of the mid-'80s House music movement. His deep vocals, somewhat like Teddy Pendergrass, and slammin' house beats made his music a definite favourite of mine in the '80s. Back then, his 12" singles were really difficult to get, even at DJ record stores. I was surprised to see ... carrying his "Best Of" album, so I had to get it. Even though the songs contained in this CD were recorded back in 1986, they still sound great, and have withstood the test of time! ... Read more

Album Description

UK reissue of the British hip-hop act's hit 1992 album. Included in Q Magazine's '90 Best Albums Of The 1990s'. Standard jewel case. 2000 release. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

My Favorite Pop Album Ever
This is one of my very favorite CDs; I've probably listened to it more than any other single piece of music I own. What John Woo does for action movies and Bill Clinton does to political speeches, the Stereo MCs do to hip hop: cool, effortless execution that leaves you amazed at their virtuosity. The lyrics are raw, seething, and rely not at all on shock value: there's nothing that would have to be removed for radio play, but the subversiveness of the lyrical themes are undeniable. Fine words, great music, not a bad track on the album: buy it!

One of the 90's Best
You don't need to like Dance, Techno, Rap, or Rock... They have their own style. It's good entertaining party music. Most of us know "Connected" I was affraid the rest would be dull, but I was ctually surprised to enjoy the full length without having to skip any song. There is a bit of Jamiroquai, a bit of Deelite, a bit of Cake.. I bought my copy at a music club. It's in stock. I don't recommend ANY music club, but if you must have this CD...

Getting Connected With The Stereo MC's
1992's "Connected" was the big album for Rob B & company, better known as the Stereo MC's. This deliriously catchy album has funk written all over it, with killer grooves & beats, and very cool singing & rapping from Rob. The head-bobbing hits "Connected" and "Step It Up" alone are worth the price of admission, but MAN, there are so many fly tracks on this album: "Ground Level," "All Night Long," "Playing With Fire," "Creation," and "The End," just to name some. When it comes to dance pop, there's nobody that comes close to the Stereo MC's in catchiness, intelligence and studio expertise. "Connected" will definitely fit the bill if you need music to cruise down the highway to, or to get down with your bad self at a mixer or in private. Party on, Stereo MC's!

Uninspired Soft-Hop
All that's worth mentioning on this album are the hits 'Connected' and 'Step It Up' which, sadly, form the highlights along with the mellow 'Chicken Shake'. But it's all the same. Soft hiphop, slightly electronized, and with the interesting, kinda deep and electronic-sounding, lead vocals. All through the album. Buy a single instead, that's enough by far.

When Stereo MC's do their best, they try to sound like LL Cool J, or like Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, as on 'The End'. But it's simply not that great.

Delving into the past not as rewarding as I'd hoped.
I've been exploring a lot of new music lately, notably, Thievery Corporation, DJ Vadim, and all of Ninja Tune, as well as Air and Dmitri from Paris.

I guess Amazon's recommendation program decided that since Stereo MC's was grouped into the same category as Thievery Corporation or Air, that I would be default enjoy it.

Well, I remember a long time ago, when this record came out, and it got a lot of radio play. I liked it back then, but thought it was a fluke. It appears I was both right and wrong. The album wasnt a fluke, because there is a whole genre of music around it now... And at the same time, the album is just unfulfilling and not as soulful and enjoyable as contemporary music of the same Genre.

So while it might be a "collection piece" -- something you would keep to round out your collection of a genre, or to pull out at parties -- it isnt really worth buying new, and never really offered me much "new" to listen to. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lords of Acid's 1997 release, Our Little Secret is an open book. Never daring to depart from lyrics that read like the stage directions of a porno flick, fans need only focus their attention on Lords of Acid's musical agenda. The songs still maintain the basic acid house recipe of fat, buzzy bass lines and disorienting rhythms. This album adds a little of all current dance music trends, from trip hop to drum & bass to keep the formula current. "LSD=Truth" rattles with amped organic drum sounds reminiscent of Meat Beat Manifesto. The first couple of tracks are drilled with speed metal guitars. Stylistically, this album is merely a tangent to Lords of Acid's debut album Lust. If this is your first Lords of Acid purchase, go with Lust--it's a better album. If you are collecting, the lyrical shock value will have worn thin on you by now, but the music is twisted enough to keep you engaged. --Beth Bessmer ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Absolutley Fabulous!
This is an awesome CD! 1 Not quite as good as Lust, but comparable.

1. Lover- 4 stars. A really good, kind of rap like song. Could have done without the first minute, though. I think the KMFDM "Cake Mix" is better 2. Rubber Doll- 5 stars. Funny, creative, well written, fabulous. 3. Fingerlickin' Good- 3 stars. Kind of slow, but still good. Cool chorus. 4. LSD=Truth- 3 stars. Too slow, but still kind of amusing. 5. Man's Best Friend- 5 stars. A little sad, but a sweet dance song. 6. Cybersex- 4 stars. A little strange, but still good. Jade 4U says "kinky" a few too many times. 7. Pussy- 5 stars. A cool kind of rap like song. Kind of nasty though. MEOW! 8. Deep Sexy Space- 5 stars. Funny, fast, strange, what more do you want? 9. Doggie Tom- 4 stars. Kind of strange, but still cool 10. Concerto for Me and Myself- 5 stars. Awesome, but a little slow. 11. Spank My Bootie- 1,000,000 stars. Funny song, best on Cd, without a doubt. 12. The Power is Mine- 2 stars. Not very good 13. You Belong To Me- 5 stars. This is another fabulous song.

The Secret track is cool, too.

Not their best, but much better than the rest
Our Little Secret is not the Lords of Acid's best album. Lust is. Period. But this is not by any means a bad CD. Your usual shock value is there on all of the tracks, but along with that is a great sound. It's unfortunate that they don't get more airplay because the music that goes along with the lyrics (that I love, go ahead, call me a pervert) is great. It really makes you want to move and have fun.

LOA
lords of acid is by far one of the most original groups out there with their entirely own sound...this album is pretty solid, (...) its amusing and actually good all at the same time. This is a great cd to listen to while ur walking to class or background music while working...its definatley not something to sit and analyze...but it always puts a smile on ur face, one of the better LOA cds

A Grain of Salt
"Our Little Secret" by LOA is one of their very best. The vocals of Nikki combined with the spine shattering techno-esque beat and controversial lyrics will knock you on your ass. It is a fun cd to listen to, and it has been a star of my cd collection for years.

our little secret lords of acid
this cd is one of the best by lords of acid ... Read more

Album Description

Brand new 2XCD mix from Holland's acclaimed DJ/Producer Sander Kleinenberg.This man knows how dancefloors work: he's instigated sweaty scenes around the world, observing what makes people move from Boston to Belfast to Buenos Aires. Ultimately, the mechanics of the dancefloor revolve around just one thing: good dance music. Sander knows about this, too.As a DJ, he has released two critically acclaimed mix CD’s: the first for G.U.'s NUBREED series and the second for ESSENTIAL MIX.The last two years have also been a watershed for Sander as a producer:from his recent massive remixes of JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’S "ROCK YOUR BODY" and J Records’ ANNIE LENNOX, to his original productions which are regularly championed by the elite progressive house & trance DJ’s around the world, Sander is following close in the footsteps of PAUL OAKENFOLD and DEEP DISH by establishing himself as a world class DJ, producer, and big-name remixer.On Renaissance Presents: Everybody, Sander dips into a deep bag of funky dancefloor numbers that present the best in current progressive house sounds while also giving us a glimpse into the future of the genre. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Progressive House
Progressive House compilation mixed by Sander Kleinenberg. 2cd set is a great mix of house mix that goes from really mellow to deep bass club sound. The first CD is more mellow and sound like something you would hear at a good lounge. On the second cd right with a first track Sander takes it up a notch and the music begins to sound like something you are more likely to hear at a club. Overall, I expected progressive house straight out of a club with deep bass and over the top synth sounds. This was not the case, so if I would have reviewed right after I got it, I would have given the compilation 4 stars. Although, after I keep on coming back to this cd month after month, I must give it 5 stars. Very well mixed and put together, highly recommended for clubheads and electronic music fans alike.

Well worth the listen
No, it's not quite as good as the essential mix, which is among my all-time favorite CDs. Nevertheless this is a great compliation effort, and exceedingly well mixed.

As the other reviews have said, the first CD is nothing overly special, mostly some basic house tracks. It's the second CD that really hooked me, with deeper sounds and bass. The last couple of reviews have accurately described the sound, so I won't repeat it. The bottom line with this CD is this: no, it's not destined to be an essential "must have." BUT it's still an excellent compilation that you will listen to if you like good electronic music.

Excellent CD - Not Disappointed
I cannot say that I can describe the various styles of 'house' music that exists today. I do know what I enjoyed when I explored the music filled 'Garage' in NYC. Of course 'house' music has progressed and it has many styles - one which I will not attempt to describe.

As for this CD, I must say I was not disappointed. Most of the 'house' CD's I've purchased recently gave you a taste or two of house, but didn't have a real flow in the tracks. It's as if you got two good tracks followed by 3 which didn't really sound like house music. What was done nicely in these two cd's is the way each track flows into the next. You feel like you're in a club, and every track transitions smootly into the next.

For those of you who came to enjoy the house music of the late 80's, you will not be disappointed. Overall I give this cd a 5. Enjoy it and make sure you dance to it!!

CD 1 = Booooring CD 2 = Funky Fresh Dressed to Impress
So I've listened to this mix repeatedly over the course of about three weeks now. I've tried, I really have, to see what all the hype is in the record. Everywhere you go "10/10, A+, Classic!" and I just can't hear it. Now I like more of a melodic, dreamy, Tiesto type of trance, so perhaps that's where my problem lies. I see the same tracks listed as everyone's favorites, which are mine as well. These include "Midnight" on disc 1, the opening two tracks of disc 2, and the tracks from "Therapy" to "Definite Form" on disc 2. The stuff in between, however, bores the life out of me, especially on disc 1. The good tracks on disc 2 do make it stick at as a good disc overall. I just feel that this mix is lacking one big necessity throughout that would allow it to flow better, MELODY! Therefore, the most I can give it is 3 stars. One thing's for sure, fans of Holland's other world-class DJ, Tiesto, beware because this mix is probably not for you!

One of those "heavy rotation" mixes for your stereo
Attempt one (cd one) is so smooth. The first disc contains flawless mixing with tasteful prog house cuts such as the first track "midnight" by Solaris. With a great opener like that you just know the cd is going to be good. The mix moves into tracks like "nativa" by Coruja & Sandoval which contains a naughty bass line that just makes you move and puts a grin on your face. The cd ends off with some soothing sounds and there is a little prog. trance touch here as well provided by Chable & Bonicci's "ride". This mix is absolutely sublime. All bass fiends will love the first disc. The sound is underground and has attitude even though the tracks aren't hard. The tracks all compliment each other. Great prelude to night of clubbing/raving.

Attempt two sounds very different from attempt one. There is alot of electro present in this mix. The first two tracks "come into my kitchen" and "manilla" by Joakim and Seelenluft compliment each other very well and makes for a great opener. The clap effect in both the tracks is bad ass and funky. The mix moves through the funkier side of progressive house with tracks like "new new york" by Nicholas Vellee and "funk-the key word" by Roland Klinkenberg. Tracks like D2's "therapy" really make you feel proud to be a part of this global dance culture. The track features Dan Diamond who pretty much breaks down what true clubbing is all about...whew that track is hot!

Attempt two ends off with some great progressive tracks that are layerd with dark and moving sounds especially with Kleinenberg's track "repeat to specify" as the closer.

This complilation is worth every penny you spend on it. I promise that you will not be dissapointed. Go out and get it RIGHT NOW! ... Read more

Album Description

Volume 3 takes a snapshot of the wide spectrum of dancestyles being produced around the world blending electro,broken beat and nu-jazz with signature deep house feelthat's been this series hallmark. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Fine smooth, but without the same magic
After a fantastic one and two. Naked Music released Vol. 3 with a lot to live up to. I mean what do you do after a complication such as Mauricio Aviles' Vol.2, which made you fall in love with house music all over again?

I'll cut to the chase; Vol.3 is a bit of a disappointment. Not because it's a bad album (its actually quite good) in itself, but because I can't help to compare it to it's predecessors. After all it is part of a series. It's definitely got that Nude Dimensions hallmark of sleek, sultry and sexy deep house. However it's missing the magic of its predecessors!

I miss that "oh yeah" feeling you get when you hear a series of tunes that just gets better and better. The feeling that makes it impossible for you to sit still.

This CD has its high points especially in the first two tracks where you get the feeling that you're going to hear something special and tracks 12 and 13 which are just lush. However, I keep listening and waiting for the magic to happen as each track rolls by...

Personally I think Naked music are champions in their chosen arena and I know they'll continue to be so, but I can't honestly tell you that this mix is one of their best.

Keeping the nude vibe...
Rain starts th CD off sounding like the last two compilations, but this one wanted to stray....If you read inside the Cd it says that Naked Music wanted to experiment a bit with this volume. They wanted to use more percussion, and different beats from around the deep house dance globe. What results is same Naked Music, keeping up with the latest music trends. That's what DJ's do best: experiment and come up with awesome sounds that we can chill to. Favorite tracks: Rain, Everyday and Step into the light. Just a reminder, buy the previous volumes and you won't be sorry.

My First Chill-Out CD
This Cd is great to Lounge around the house and chill-out to. I love the mellow beats, and funky-jazzy spots..Pick it up no need to second guess it !!

Pleasantly surprised
I have just spent a weekend listening to this on repeat at a friend's place and have only good things to say about it. I logged onto this now to order my very own copy and found a lot of backwards and forwards on the quality of this cd, how it compares to previous releases etc. So I felt compelled to add my bit.

I have not heard volumes 1 and 2 so cannot comment on them. All I know is that I enjoyed this cd very much. Re the reviews: some interesting comments regarding slip covers, varying styles and failure / success rates on the mixing but at end of day doesn't it just come down to the way you felt at 'that' time when you heard it? Sometimes you don't have to understand why and why should you? And often enough even a complete dissection of the success or failure of an album will fail to dissuade you that YOU like or dislike it more or less, right? So I am adding my comments to the list of people that liked it.

Fantabulous
Love the vibes from these waves. It's completely fresh sounds that are just great for crusin'. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

best BT compilation album
i first heard of BT on Digital Empire compilations cd and instantly got hooked to his trance vibe with "Godspeed" and "Flaming June". i went out and bought his first two albums, Ima and E.S.C.M. both of these are masterpieces of trance music that has ever been put out. ever since those songs i have been influenced by his sound and style. i love other trance DJ's as well. with the likes of Paul OAkenfold, Sasha, John Digweed, Paul van Dyk, Max Graham and many more. BT has his own unique style and flavor in his sound which you can pick apart from every other artist. i bought R&R the day it came out. ever since i heard he was releaseing it i waited to get it. and when i listened to it, i was blown away. this cd produces BT's greatest work. ecspecially his mixes for Sarah McLachlan, Seal, Mike Oldfield and others. this cd is a must for any fan of trance or any fan of BT as i am.

doesnt really do BT justice
To be honest i really dont see an actual need for this cd, all of his original versions were simply better, and id be better off just making a cd-r of all the songs i like. All of the remix's just seemed half ass pieced together, choppy, and lacked any sort of flow or structure. They all just seemed to have the chorus sampled and dipped into a distorted version of the sound that is known as BT. I am actually having a hard time even describing what kind of music is on these cd's because of that. If anything id probably just call it "dancy house."

I dont even think i can recommend it to anyone, if youve never heard BT, just buy any of the old ones minus MISL, and if youre familiar with him, just stop listening to BT for like 3 months then burn the ones you remembered you like onto a cd-r, or if anything rent it or borrow it if you can. Being that youll like the old ones again after you get over the newness factor. However the remix of Grace's "its not over yet" is top notch i must say, and sunblind is a quality tune as well, and im glad flaming june was kept in the original form. On the other end i felt godspeed and blue skies were just slautered ;(

In conclusion, i love this guy's work, hes made some definate classics which is gonna keep me comin back, but he needs to move on instead of trying to squeeze the last bit life out of the style we came to know of him *years* ago. So really, this is not a bad album (when compared to most music out there so i cant critisize it completely), but i know ill probably be sick of it in 2 days then will want to clense my head of it with some quality old school BT.

Just WOW
Blue Skies has to be the best re-mix ever done. This is a definite for any BT Fan

BT - Brian "Trance"eau...
This is a double-album worth owning. In fact, I will go as far as to say that it shouldn't be absent from any avid electronica/dance fan's collection. It spans many genres of electronica/dance. Regular ravers (glow sticks, pierced tongues, parachute pants, etc.) will love the album for its breakbeat-infused tracks (ex: "Hip Hop Phenomenon") that make you wanna move under those hypnotic dance floor lights. For the serious Ibiza clubber, this album has dreamy trance tracks (ex: "Dreaming") that go perfect with those breathtaking Ibiza sunsets like wine goes with cheese. His production is crisp and complex. I cannot stress enough the fact that no one track on this double album sounds alike. Many tracks have a Progressive House feel, while others have a Hard Trance/Jungle feel to them. Perhaps I should sell you on BT's credibility? He has worked on tracks for blockbuster films such as "Gone In 60 Seconds" and "The Fast And The Furious", and has worked with industry behemoths Tiesto, Deep Dish and Guru (of the hip hop juggernaut Gangstarr). BT's contemporaries include Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, Paul Van Dijk, Deep Dish, etc. If you're still contemplating buying this masterpiece, pay half-price and buy it used here on Amazon. Please feel free to disagree with my opinion; let us compare opinions, invite a few more points of view, and debate, like the humans we are.

a true artist!!!!!!
A very talented and seasoned pro. BT has been making music for a long time and with good reason, he's very good at what he does. This cd has very good remixes and features other great dj's such as Sasha and Paul Van Dyk. the first cd starts off well and very tancelike, with sounds of nature in the background. the vocals in this song are also soothing and uplifting. The rest of the cd continues well, and finishes okay.

The 2nd cd is also very good with a great remix of "Dreaming". "I love you" also appears on this cd with Sarah McLachlan, this is a very nice song with great vocals and soothing beats and soothing sonds that BT is known for.

If you like BT or even just like techno/trance give this Cd a try BT will deliver some great music and remixes. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

The Future of Rock
First, let me begin by saying (writing?) that I knew absolutely nothing about Celldweller, or any of Klayton's other projects, before purchasing this album. I purchased the album without hearing any of the tunes. I usually by my music on a whim. So far, I've found some absolute beauties, and Celldweller is one of those. What I like most about this album is that Klayton isn't afraid to experiment. There's something for everyone on the album. I mean where else have you heard metal cascading over a trance beat? Or some drum and bass, with a tinge of industrial? Klayton fuses alternative rock and metal, with industrial, trance, and even D&B. Some of the songs sound a bit polished, but in a good way. I've actually listened to this CD so much that I've had to replace the jewel case, it kept falling open from so much use. Don't let any of the other reviews disuade you from purchasing this album. It's a music masterpiece! And that's saying a lot. I'm an avid music listener and collector, but I'm very picky about what music I keep in my collection. If I don't like every song on an album, I don't keep the CD. And every song on this CD is great. I'm just praying Celldweller tours in my area, I'd love to see him live. Another recommendation, check out Zeromancer, they're another awesome discovery of mine, while surfing Amazon. Later.

Celldweller 0wns!
Celldweller- the concept born from experiences of personal and cultural bondage along with the creator's near 24-7 dwelling in his former basement studio. Klayton, the man behind the machine, originally created the moniker as a producer pseudonym. However, after retiring his previous band, the 90's cult industrial act Circle of Dust, he adopted Celldweller as his defining outlet.

Developed as an agent of contrast the New York based Celldweller combines the electronic and the organic, darkness and beauty, aggression against sensuality, with the ability to find its home in the mosh pit as easily as on the dj's turntable. Celldweller naturally juxtaposes many textures and elements while keeping a unifying theme. The debut album ranges from the guitar-based electronic rock of "Stay With Me (Unlikely)" and "Switchback" to the unique blending of heavily distorted guitars and aggression with drum & bass and trance in "The Last Firstborn" and "Own Little World." The styles are further contrasted by the electro-orchestral Depeche Mode-esque "So Sorry to Say" and the hauntingly beautiful down tempo track "Welcome to the End."

I highly recommend this album to any fan of industrial/electronic music. It is really a modern masterpiece!

Never Would've Thought I'd Love It
Dale, the lead guitarist for the band, walked up to me at a gas station one day and asked me what kind of music I listened to, and since my tastes are all over the place I took a CD sampler he had and couldn't believe how much I loved what I heard. While it's not something I would usually listen to, I found myself with songs stuck in my head all day. I started seeing Dale (and still am!) and the entire CD is just great. I hear all the time from Dale how much Klayton pours his soul into this project and they deserve a heck of a lot more credit for what they are all doing. They rock!

A Rare Gem
I heard a song from this album on an internet radio station and bought the CD. I was instantly impressed by Klayton's creativity and innovativeness. He seemlessly combines metal and techno into a very smooth and heavy industrial feel. It's a welcome alternative to the pop rock so popular on the radio today. The more I listen to the album, the more I appreciate its intricacies. This an artist that deserves alot more attention with this album than he'll probably get. It's too bad.

AMAZING!
I bought this cd with little expectations, but after listening to the whole thing, it left me in awe. What an amazing piece of work! Klayton put a lot of work into music he believes in... and it shows. I highly recommend this cd. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

This is good stuff!!
And I mean it! Wow, these guys are kicking some (...). I've listened to their previous records, and this is the best music I've heard in a while. Progressive house as its VERY best.
Both cds are awesome, from start to finish, those beats, that sound will just make you bob your head following these wicked beats and smile in agreement.
This is the type of music that you'd listen to comming back from the club, going to the club, getting ready to go to the club, or just at ANY time because it just gets you in a "going" mood.
CD 1 is awesome, and a track that stands out is "phat dope sh.."
CD 2 is just as good and keeps you going. The title of the set matches it perfectly. Addictive beats. Pick it up now and enjoy good progressive house music.

UNBELIEVABLE
I have been following these guys for a loooooooooooooong time..I have almost all of their remixes/productions and their old cd Tide:Edit:07
Ive had Addictive Beats for a long time now but I never wrote a review on here. Well lemme start the review by saying "WOW".
From disc 1 to disc 2, this compilation is bangin'! It goes from funky/tribal to dark, dirty, percussive tribal house..VERY well put together...I highly recommend this cd to EVERYONE! :)

Holy ...
I can see where Deep Dish might get a mention as an influence, but come on, what has Deep Dish been doing lately except rehashing their own sound? Apart from a few lemons - I know, what am I talking about? - this mix is wicked, the kind that drives me wild and the only kind that sticks around. I especially like the combination of funk and tribal. I used to think that all dance music could sound good with the proper amount of naughty percussion ... that is until I spent a few times listening to Tribal all night and went home feeling ill. To avoid drowning in its own recipe Tribal still requires mixing with other progressive elements. These guys have done a nice job of doing just that.

PHAT, DOPE, SHHHHHH.......
I didn't know what to expect from these 2 b/c I only bought this CD based on other S&P reco's on Amazon. Wow, was I surprised. From the get go this set gets really funky, really dark, and really dirty. Track 4, on CD 1, is one of my favorite tracks released on any mix comp within the last few years. That alone is worth the price of admission IMO. This mix just does not let up the entire time. This is an entirely diferent style than Deep Dish. Now while I like Deep Dish and their style a bit better this mix is still top notch. It's not for everybody but if you like a proggessive mix that has dark, bangin' beats, jump on board.

Ouch...
Being someone a little more accustomed to the Steve Lawler style of Tribal, I wasn't prepared for the onslaught these two had to offer. The tracks almost seem like they were spat out by some demon with acidic saliva.

Not that that's a bad thing. Saeed & Palash have taken Tribal to a whole new level, and upped the ante for any other DJ's of similar style out there. Where Lawler is dark, they're harsh. Where Lawler is dirty, they're techy. Their sets sounds like a set by Lawler told to go play in the mud all afternoon. And it couldn't be more right. These CD's are definately staying in my collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Having made a splash with 2001's electro-clash landmark Kittenz and Thee Glitz, Felix Da Housecat, aka Felix Stallings Jr, dives even deeper on Devin Dazzle. Glitz was a huge record for Stallings, accidentally colliding with the dance world zeitgeist. Dazzle may not hit as big, barring a similar confluence of sound and fashion. But Da Housecat knows what he's after here, and the man totally nails it. Turntables are mostly dumped in favor of warm synths, unearthing a new wave sound seasoned with funk and cheeky, Thrill Kill Kult-style sleaze. Equal parts Gary Numan, pansexual glam, and Art of Noise-like unpredictability (a sample of "Close (to the Edit)" even pops up on the fabulous "Watching Cars Go By"), Dazzle is generous with hooks, cheese-flavored melodies, and plain old thump. Children of the 80s may find themselves surprised by how strongly they respond to the title track and "Ready 2 Wear," two massively appealing songs among many on this deceptively sweet and young-at-heart album. –Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A great cd.....but a bit too much on the B-52's Novelity-Pop
Not as good as "Kittenz And Thee Glitz", which touch more on the darker side of glitz, glamour, and other absurdities associated with 80's Material Culture. "Devin Dazzle And The Neon Fever" is showing signs that Da Housecat is going from Electroclash to "Electro-Pop"...just like what happened to most New Wave groups/performers. Think of Blondie and Talking Heads....from Punk To Pop. (Gaggggg...!!!)

I saw this of sorts happen July 2nd, 2004 at The Kastle Nightclub in St. Louis. What happened was Felix's cd-player/mixer broke and he was forced to borrow vinyls/turntables from other the DJ's to continuing his performance....which transformed a "New Wave Rebirth" to a "Stupid House Disco Disaster" (though his spinning skills were great, it's just that all he would spin were Studio 54-type vinyls...) In the end, though the party groove continued...it just lacked that "Madame Hollywood" taste to it (and everyone knew it). As a result..the big winner that night (in my opinon) was one of his openers...a local Synth-Punk/Neo-Darkwave group called Femme Fatality. So my suggestion is...though this is a great cd and all...be warned, The Housecat is has gone Pop slightly with it.

Bobby Ballistic
author and STL "Scenester"

Absolutely Amazing
This needs to be simple. This CD is flawless. It is different from Kittenz, but that is what is refreshing about it. It takes me back to the 80's John Hughes movies and fashions in a good way. At first I was surprised by the overall feel of the music but it is addictive and gets better with each listen! Definately not for everyone, but i recommend for fans of good 80's music and those looking to take a trip back 20 years or so! I haven't taken this disc out of my car since buying it!

Felix does it again!!
This is Cd is fantastic. I like The glitz but I find myself evolving from that house sound and thankfully so is Felix. I think the album sounds like a mix of ladytron and New Order. its the song track of my life at them moment. House fans beware tis not like you expect...

Funky, Retro 80's synth pop!
After the big success albums "Kittenz and Three Glitz" Felix Da Housacat is back with his second studio album "Devin Dazzle & The Neon Fever" It isn't as much electro sounding as his first one, this is more early 80's sytnh sounding, still not bad in anyway. You got to give credit for Da Housecat AKA Felix Stallings Jr as one of the most creative artists around, he's sound is unique with influence from synth-pop, electro, funk and pop and this album has a very warm happy retro sound you don't find very often today, this could have been released in 1984 or something. There are many guest artists here, like the female band "Neon Fever" hence the name of the album.

The songs like i said are synth-pop influented, 80's sound. The highlight are "Ready 2 wear" sang by a man, it's a typical 80's song that sowehow feels fammiliar. "Romantique" has some great electro beats and a female voice that sings with a french accent. The songs with Neon Fever sound a bit simular, but okey. "Devin Dazzle" is catchy electro sounding with a happy sound. "Neon Human" has a very good melody, and strange vocals which are hard to understand. Overall a good album, with a unique sound.

different than thee glitz
i was expecting something totally different. his live sets i heard were an amazing blend of ebm, house, techno and new wave with a little electro. now it seems hes into the letigre lesbian electro-funkrock sound. guitars are trendy now and this album is no exception. its a party album for those who like the b-52's and stuff like that. ... Read more

Album Description

Paul Oakenfold is one of the most important and influential DJs in popular music. In a career now spanning more than two decades, he has worked with such acclaimed artists and bands as Madonna, U2, the Dave Matthews Band, Incubus, Moby, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, Ice Cube and Nelly Furtado. 2003 sees the release of this dynamic new mix album- where he combines mega pop artists such as Madonna and Justin Timberlake with alternative greats such as Bjork and Dave Gahan (of Depeche Mode)!

It is now safe to say that Paul Oakenfold is the world’s number one DJ! Running concurrently with his burgeoning soundtrack career, Oakenfold recently had five albums in the American Top 50 Electronic Chart. They included Perfecto Presents Another World which, when released at the end of 2000, became America’s biggest-ever DJ mix album. Oakenfold was also the headline DJ on Moby’s massively ambitious Area:One traveling festival tour of North America last summer. ... Read more

Reviews (54)

Not Oakey's Best... But Groovable Fun
Some of you here on Amazon.com may have read how I lambasted Oakey's latest mix album before this one (Perfecto Presents Ibiza)... and I still stand by that review. It was power pop laden hogwash, and to some extent, this new mix falls in the same category. Almost. Oakey has done some cool things here on this CD and that's what saves it from the possible quaqmire.

So, you may be asking yourself, what the hell is this guy talking about??? I shall enlighten you...

The first CD is classic Oakey... Starts a bit progressive and gradually builds into a fine example of melodic trance. Solarstone gives another timeless track, Gahan's "floors" may be "sticky," but Junkie XL unsticks the tune with a fantastic remix, even Madonna's "Hollywood" is masterfully re-worked by Oakey to be an instant trance banger for this year.

The second CD however leaves much to be desired. Besides Ian Brown's "Fear" and the Patient Saints "Imperpetuem Mobila," the rest of what's being offered isn't very much... I like melody, especially with my "superstar" djs. There isn't much "good" melody on the second disc.

Overall, I wish I could give Oakey a little more credit... but taking pop songs to another level is one thing, and making them fuse into a dance ensemble is another. Oakey misses the boat this time around, but hopefully he can bounce back and create more of the euphoric offerings we are used to. Melodic trance is back, and the godfather of melodic trance should know that... here it just doesn't seem like he notices or cares.
3 1/2 STARS

This is an album for lovers, trance lovers that is.
This record, as mixed by Paul Oakenfold, is not just worth buying because of the Oakenfold/Perfecto name, but the track selection that is has on it! While I will agree that Oaky has great mixing skill, without the tracks that he so carefully selected, this would just be another mix CD that would be a drop in the comprehensive ocean of trance. Just to name a few wonderful tracks from this record: Motorcycle - As the Rush Comes (In my opinion the best trance track in 2003), Jon B - Mercury Skies (I was amazed at the mix he put on the CD), his Madonna remix (I play this a lot, surprisingly)...Just the whole package of mixing and tracks is enough even to please even the occasional trance listener.

Oakenfold's Greatest
If you're looking for a good techno mix for that rave or dance party, then look no further. Oakenfold has done these artists good. It's almost like you're in another dimension while listening to these tracks; so if you need a solid techno mix with a lot of groove to it, look no further. Great Wall is the best Oakenfold has to offer!

High-quality trance music!
This is a serious piece of work by Oakenfold, great music from many artists blended together in a two-disc album that's perfect for your car, with windows closed, with volume on high. It will make a long drive look a lot shorter, and definitively, funier!

not the best and not the worst
He always manages to stay in the middle and with the flow, nothing original or ground breaking yet he stays aloft - thats how one could describe his dj career and this album is another example of it, times are changing so is music people experiment, start to write ambisious music: like Sasha, Digweed or Nick Warren and he plays what the masses want to hear, always. ... Read more

Album Details

The Third Installment of this Best Selling Series Raises the Bar Higher for Presenting the Best Quality Electro-jazz from the Cafes and Clubs of Paris' Latin Quarter. Parisians Take Great Pride in the Fact that Some of the Most Innovative and Original Jazz is Heard on their Streets and People from all Over the World Flock to their Arrondissment to Experience the Pleasure. "Cool" Best Describes Each of These 17 Tracks Whose Quality Quotient is Abundant and Intense. You Can Feel the Breeze on Kool Bavaria's "Crusho" and the Fresh Approach by Patchworks to the Gershwin Classic "Summertime". Fertile Ground's "Take Me Higher" and Infracom Presents [re:jazz]'s "Quiet Night" and Eric Pierre featuring Lady Gattica's "Channel Zero" Feature Engaging Vocal Interludes, While Can Seven Provide a Surprising and Brisk Remix of Moloko's "Sing it Back" that Will Simply Take Your Breath Away. Whether Youre Familiar with this Series Or Not, this Volume's Arrival is Great Cause for Celebration! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Absolutely awesome
I would wholeheartedly recommend purchasing all three of these excellent compilations. This latest is definitely as good as the first two and encompasses the truly cool sound of Paris acid jazz.

Enough Quirk To Merit A Look
Probably deserves a 3.5 stars on my rating scale.

There are some really great tracks here, mixed in with some forgettable ones. Standout tracks include Kool Bavaria, an amazingly smooth french jazz exploration that manages to surprise, and Channel Zero, a wonderful chord progression with well-chosen vocal melody and surrealistic poetic lyrics. (I disagree with previous reviewer about this track... I scratched my head and then decided it was great!)

Disappointments include dull bossa number "Quiet Night" (where is Amon Tobin to do bossa when you need him?) and the soulless and, sadly, MIDI-programmed rendition of "Summertime".

Consistent, upbeat jazz dance collection
Want to land your own café-chic compilation deal? The path - so it seems - is to spin records at a fancy French hotel, or create a fashionably agreeable artist album of your own that quietly sells a few million copies. Hence St. Germain, his highly successful Tourist, and now his (at least) fourth mix disc in the last three years.

Café 3, monikered electro-jazz but essentially the nu-jazz dance sound, breezes through seventeen tastefully upbeat records, none more so than Nuspirit Helsinki's "Trying," live drums and bass strings in harmony with deft lyrics and lead singer. Equally astute are Truby Trio's modern swing "High Jazz," aptly-named Big Bang's airing out "Ping Pong," Patchwork's quaintly restrained keyboard number "Summertime," and Llorca's spoken word "The Novel Sound." He's even worked in the Can 7 ditty "Sing It Back," one last reason to sit through that ragged Moloko tune one more time.

A few missteps arise - Nicole Conte's by-the-numbers bossafication of "Quiet Night," and the head scratching "Channel Zero," but Café 3 succeeds by adhering to the blueprint of quality, energetic jazz records, thankfully avoiding the ever-present temptation of cooing French vocals, chirpy bossa, and novelty charm.

BUY THIS ALBUM
First, I want to say that this is NOT the Saint Germain artist that brought the album Boulevard and Tourist to the table. This is a compilation of some rare jazz cuts remixed by some exceptional dj's and given the sort of spin and flavor that you would expect from the jazz district of Paris, Saint Germain.

Also, if you are a fan of Saint Germain (the artist), you will still want to pick this up. The style of this cd is actually reminiscent of Tourist. Some nice jazzy beats, soulful sax's and instruments and pinpointed producing make this one of my all time favorite comps. The flow of the tracks is very smooth and even if you are not hearing it in a cafe, you can see a story unfold with yourself in it, sipping a cup of coffee, and looking around at all of the "beautiful" people.

This is good music. I can't really say enough about it. As for the artists - the CD starts out with a great Remix of Nuspirit Helsinki's "Trying", and then is followed up seamlessly by two Nicola Conte remixes - one of Truby Trio's "High Jazz" (previously only released on Vinyl) and the other of the sexy cut "Quiet Night". The cd doesn't lower steam after the impressive intro that sets the mood. You have DJ Cam kickin' in a track of his own, Llorca pumping shortly after and De-Phazz down the line.

The CD takes youon a journey of different styles, letting you off wherever you want to get off. Well done!

So if you're a fan of the artist Saint Germain, you'll definitely want to get this and maybe find a few other artists you'd like (like Nicola Conte remixes). But if you're looking for something like Hotel Costes, I wouldn't recommend this. This is definitely more jazzy. Conversely if you have Paris Lounge 1, and your favorite track was the Reminiscent Quartet cut on the second CD, this is definitely for you! Do note though: Wagram is the label that releases this series, and that label also released Hotel Costes, Paris/Berlin Lounge series, Nueva Bossa Nova, etc. Enjoy!

Smoothed Out French Electro Jazz.
I was browsing through the downtempo section of a record shop, and I stumbled upon this, the third installment of the "Saint Germain Des Pres Cafe" series. I was pleasantly surprised to have found a third collection on the shelves, as I really loved the last 2 volumes. While I can't say I was blown away as I was with the first 2 discs, I'm impressed with the third one enough to recommend it. As with the last 2 discs, we get a pretty good dose of jazz set to house, downtempo, and electronic beats. It's an all-purpose disc: mellow enough for a dinner party, but also groovilicious enough to make you dance. Those who cringe at the idea of old-school jazz set to dance beats will reconsider when they hear cuts like "Quiet Night" by Infracom Presents, "Ping Pong" by Big Bang and the ultrasmooth "Summertime" by Patchworks. Those who favor a little disco flava will tap their toes to Llorca's "The Novel Sound," while we get some nice soulful female vocals and crisp horn playing in the mellowed-out "Take Me Higher" by Fertile Ground. The third installment of this cafe series didn't disappoint me, and anyone who bought the last 2 discs should definitely grab this one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A squiggly, delirious house-pop classic that’s easily among the best albums of 2003, this British production duo’s third album is an interesting parallel to Outkast’s Speakerboxxx, as both albums make their funk the P-Funk, Parliament and Prince looming large throughout, but always in innovative ways. No album (and it is an album, a satisfyingly cohesive and narrative whole) of any genre in recent memory has done the guest vocalist thing as perfectly or as eclectically. Meshell Ndegeocello delivers two of her finest and sexiest performances yet; Lisa Kekaula from garage-soul rockers the BellRays revs up her delicious, Tina Turner -y vocals to near bursting point on "Good Luck." Meanwhile, ‘N Sync's JC Chasez remakes himself as a sort of electro-punk Michael Jackson on "Plug It In"; and speaking of electro-punk, on the anthemic "Cish Cash," Siouxsie Soux herself returns to show all the Liquid Sky’d-out denizens of Williamsburg and Berlin what a postpunk diva really sounds like. This is joyous music as innovative as it is bootylicious. With all its genre-defying tricks, Kish clearly owes a debt to the millenarian bootleg craze, but these songs are more than novelty mash-ups, they’re songs, and this is an album you’ll play years from now. --Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (66)

Kish Kash Splash.
Basement Jaxx is a duo I've always admired, but I never thought they totally deserved all the praise the press lavishes upon them. For sure, they released two really solid albums of jumpy, nervous disco featuring club anthems like "Romeo" and "Rendez-Vous." Are they pretty good? Yeah. But are they knock-me-out brilliant? Nah. However, the London duo's third outing, "Kish Kash," could be the disc that finally justifies the hype. I think it's their best album yet. This time around, the Jaxx rope in a slew of guest vocalists, and they all make great impressions on this disc. Like the songs on their predecessors "Rooty" and "Remedy," the grooves on "Kish Kash" bounce from edgy house to acid-dipped funk that recalls George Clinton and Prince. Meshell Ndegeocello makes two vocal appearances, the better of which is the sensual, clap-your-hands-together jam "Right Here's the Spot," while goth queen Siouxsie Sioux lends her vocals to the abrasive title track, a rush of punk energy Avril Lavinge and Pink would die for. JC Chasez of, ahem, NSYNC makes a near-unrecognizable appearance on the funky "Plug it In," while "Supersonic" (featuring Totlyn Jackson) is an out-there slab of electronica that also stands out. "Kish Kash" is, in my view, the duo's most consistent joint to date, and it easily eclipses their last two efforts. Grade: A-

Two horrid songs. Pretty decent otherwise.
Jaxx, why'd you have to get JC and Siouxsie Sioux? Guest vocalists that people will really recognize always equals bad. I have heard of Dizzee Rascal, but most people probably haven't. All the other guests are unknown to me.

"Good Luck", "Right Here's the Spot", "Lucky Star" and "Hot and Cold" are wicked songs that rank among "Romeo" and "Crazy Girl". I liked "Supersonic", but it could've gone either way with me. The song has a novel sound to it that is still distinctly Jaxx, but the vocals verged on annoying at times. "If I Ever Recover" was a bit dull, reminding me of "Stop 4 Love" from Remedy slightly. "Tonight" has a blah female-downtempo feel which is saved by the Jaxx's sick studio touches. "Living Room" made me feel nothing, but is short. "Feels Like Home" is wicked, but in a spacey, fluttery kind of way.

If not for "Plug It In" and "Cish Cash", this album would be four stars. I listen to this album without those songs, and do like it. Even without JC and Siouxsie's annoying, half-assed vocals, this album can't touch Rooty, or even Remedy. This is the Jaxx's worst album, but only because of inconsistency.

just barely misses the mark
I bought Rooty without hearing a note of it. I was disappointed at first but I eventually thought it was awesome. I bought Kish Kash not even knowing there was another album coming out and expected to be blown away. Good Luck delivered pretty well as an opener, although I thought sometimes the tension-building drum rolls ended up being anticlimactic. Right Here's the Spot (guest artist! i'm supposed to be excited) is standard funky Jaxx magic; it feels kind of like yo-yo but a whole lot better. Okay, i have high hopes for the cd now. Lucky Star is awesome too, even though Dizzee Rascal is the most unintelligible rapper ever born.
Then there was Supersonic. I don't like it. Maybe the blues funk techno thing with a weak backbeat just takes a lot of getting used to, but it sounds like a dusty rodeo of broken singing robots. Plug it in was very good even though I was embarassed about enjoying a song with you know who on the mic. Cish Cash was also to strange for my taste; the dirty backdrop might have been cool if the lyrics were tolerable at all. Then Tonight is kind of a slow burner, but it feels underdeveloped. Hot 'n Cold is very infectious, but it's as bare bones as anything the Jaxx made since Remedy. Then Living Room...I mean COME ON! again with the drum crescendos that go NOWHERE. Speaking of nowhere, Feels Like Home still seems to me like a bloated and overly pretentious idea, even though I may not be giving the beat-less limbo of a song enough of a chance.

I hear they updated their mixing equipment for this album, and on many of the tracks, the sound is much bigger and thicker, but sometimes it ends up sounding more sterile and less direct than Rooty sounded. This wouldn't matter as much if the album didn't contain total lapses of judgement like the last two tracks. Maybe the off the wall style has finally escaped me and I'm too square to accept it, and maybe this is the best Jaxx album yet. I don't recommend against buying it - to the contrary, I think it's got some great tracks. But Rooty was almost perfect....

Kish kash
this album is really goooood!!!
I bought it from amazon and have enjoyed it ever since. I especially like "good luck" this album is brill!

heroin-chic, acid-infused pop
This album is perfect for summer. I must admit I was a little phased by some songs upon first listen - at how really bizarre they are!

But its truly a venture into this hyperpaced, acid-infused carnival. Every song is pure hyped up fun - but not without a large dose of serious musicianship, computerization, and thought.

If you arent too sure about it at first...I recommend playing it while working out or getting pumped up for a fast night on the town.

This is the first online review I've given, basically because you wont regret getting this CD. Its like Groove Armada's amazing 2003 disc "LoveBox" - just far better. And Outkast will be long forgotten if this disc really gets its arse out there. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sasha and his fellow turntable conspirators John Digweed and Paul Oakenfeld have been on impressive winning streaks since the mid- to late '90s, particularly with their increasingly popular and influential Global Underground series. This addition to the cycle, a live set recorded in the Spanish dance-music haven Ibiza, comes close to setting a new standard. Sasha is working solo here, and in addition to showing off his prodigious live mixing skills and inventive use of source material, he creates an undeniable identity for himself. Digweed accomplished the same thing with the masterful Bedrock, but where that record was elegantly light and airy, this one burns with a sharper, more manic energy. Throwing out resolute rhythms and melting house samples bathed in dreamy backdrops, Sasha cuts through dense structures and clever transitions with superhuman alacrity. It does take him a little while, as his use of trance-inducing repetition strays a bit while he establishes a groove on the first disc. Disc 2, however, simply tears into an incredibly danceable vibe. Mixing together melodic snippets and varying moods, from the dark trance of "Fibonacci Sequence" to the ecstatic release of "Xpander" (from his EP of the same name), Sasha mainlines rhythm and creativity through to a satisfyingly exhausted conclusion. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (130)

A breakthrough in electronic music, a masterpiece of DJing
People who may think that the raves of reviewers below ("Sasha is God") are over the top probably haven't heard this set. IBIZA is Sasha's finest body of work, a masterpiece, and a landmark in the history of techno music. Listening to the two CD's the listener is amazed by the incredible amount of talent Sasha has. No DJ in the world, even his customary parter John Digweed (who does come close), is as skillful as Sasha when it comes to mixing. Sasha manages to take an original work and improve it, give it a virtuoso structure, and leave it belonging to both the club floor and the personal stereo.

Disc 1 is a calm, relatively laid back set. Raff/Freddy - "Deep Progress" is a strong beginning that immediately creates a mood that persists through the entire first CD. "My Lexicon," by Dutch producer and DJ Sander Kleinenberg, shows Sasha cleverly organizing the song's bass and cymbals into the quintessential good house track. The following track, Orbital's "Nothing Left (Breeder remix)" is finer than any other remix of the ubiquitous track. The high point of the first disc is the mindblowing mixing from Stage One - Space Manouvers (Pariah remix)" into Sander Kleinenberg - "Sacred", an unforgettable display of ProTools wizardry.

Disc 2 is where Sasha's skills really shine. BT's "Fibonacci Sequence" shows that Sasha could weave ambient elements in and out of traditional trance. Cass and Slide's "Perception" is an extremely smooth and danceable track. But the two highlights of the second disc are Sasha's own "Xpander" and John Digweed's Bedrock project's "Heaven Scent/Lifeline." The version of "Xpander" on IBIZA surpasses either of the versions on the XPANDER EP, it's a complex and mercurial track that shows that Sasha can compose just as well as other trance producers and he can mix like no other. The remix of "Heaven Scent/Lifeline" transforms what was even originally an beautiful track into a clever and bangin' variation though ProTools editing.

This reviewer firmly feels that IBIZA is a masterpiece of not just electronic music, but of music, period. I would recommend that anyone with a pulse get this album.

ABSOLUTE CLASSIC
What an amazing double CD! Common opinion is that CD 2 is better than CD 1, but I disagree. CD 1 is a space shuttle flying through the galaxies of smooth, silky trance, seamlessly stitched by the super Sasha. From take off, with the groovy, ambling beats of Raff and Freddy's 'Deep Progress', this CD takes the listener on the aforementioned space flight, before touching Earth in a whirling crescendo with the beautiful 'Amber' by Natious. (And then you have CD 2)! Sasha really starts to escalate the set with Medway's pumping 'Baseline Track', but he's in no real hurry, keeping dancers calmly tripped out with Kleinenberg's cheese-free 'My Lexicon', and the ghosty vocals in the brilliant Breeder remix of 'Nothing Left'. When he storms into the bumpy 'Move!'(second best track on CD), there's no turning back. The top song of this CD follows, 'Talkin' by Intec Jimpy injects the listener with an energy that keeps your ears hooked and feet moving. Honorable mention for Sander Kleinenberg who makes his presence felt again with the sweet 'Sacred'. His NuBreed Cd is a MUST BUY if you enjoy this CD. CD 2 is excellent in its own right, but it relies on some definite crowd movers like the two BT tracks , Sasha's own 'Xpander'and THE definitive progressive anthem, Bedrock's 'Heaven Scent'. CD 2 is typical Sasha (i.e. DJing genius), but CD 1 highlights his ability to build a set from scratch. There's no question as to whether this CD should be part of your collection-question is how many times you will hear it over, bracing yourself for a different lesson in trance everytime.

whatever...
Geez... I got suckered into this one.
Relatively inexpensive way to make the mistake thou.
Not what I had hoped... maybe my idea of unbelievable trance sets must be different to the others here. Not a patch on Gatecrasher Black -The Late set. Thats my idea of good trance.
I really like Sasha's efforts with Northern Exposure...and a live set he did for Gatecrasher / Radio one... but this was far short of being, what I would describe as..."Timeless".
2 stars... coz I've heard worse.

It is 2004 and I am still listening to it
Since its release way back, Sasha's GU13 Ibiza has spun the world just a little bit faster. After so many years, and so many other CDs in my collection, Sasha's Ibiza has to be one of my favorite mixes. It is 2004 and I am still listening to it.

The best DJ compilation EVER- Hands down!
Alright, really people. This is the best DJ compilation that has ever been recorded. Really!!! I am not just saying this because i am some huge Sasha or trance fan. If you are looking for the best, then look no further. Sasha is not even my favorite DJ/artist, but this compilation is the smoothest mixed set I have ever heard. He takes mixing to a whole new level. I have owned this CD ever since it was released (years ago) and to this day I have never heard anything to top it. CD 2 is a collection of a few trance singles which are great and an awesome disc, but does not hold a candle to the deep, dark, groovy, smooth, rich, and full sound of CD 1. A perfect cd for in the car, or in the bedroom. Get this CD! ... Read more