Album Description

Two CD set mixed by Paul Oakenfold with classical scores, film soundtracks, dialogue and ambient tracks alongside dancefloor classics. 24 tracks including 'Ubik'-Timo Maas, 'Pile Driver'-Amoebassassin, 'Baby I'm Gonna Leave You'-Led Zeppelin, 'Rachel's Song'-Vangelis, 'Sacrifice'-Lisa Gerrard & more ... Read more

Reviews (168)

Oakley Dokley.....
Various Artists: Paul Oakenfold - Perfecto Presents Another World (London-Sire/Warner)

In 1998, Oakey stepped up to the plate to demonstrate the Euro musical explosion with the first of the Tranceport series (Kinetic). With that landmark DJ mixed cd selling over 150,000 copies (unheard of for a DJ mixed cd on these shores), Oakenfold presents his second compilation specifically compiled for North America, Another World. In this two-disc epic mix set, Oakenfold drops Dead Can Dance and Vangelis tracks, and blends them with the hard, funky "Ubik (The Dance)" by Timo Maas, the trance stormer "Eugina 2000" by Salt Tank, the reworked diva classics of Planet Perfecto and Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan, two beat-heavy climatic cuts by Canadian dj/producer Max Graham and newer progressive tunes from Jan Johnston and amoebaassassin. The proven formula of combining new age/neo-classical tracks with banging epic progressive trance is no doubt effective on the dancefloor, creating an ebb and flow to the set. Oakenfold fails in trying to recreate that flow on cd and after hearing the first few occurences, the effect sounds a bit repetitive thus leaving a weak impression overall.

listening to this for the 2nd time as we speak
believe it or not i've never heard any of oakenfolds mixes before although i've been listening to electronic music since 1990 (no i dont live in a cave). the main reasons i bought this cd were 1. it has "babe i'm gonna leave you" by led zeppelin and i had heard a white label version of this song about 4 years ago (unfortunately not the same mix as was on this album) and 2. it had some songs from the movie blade runner on it. so far my favorite tracks are the series that run from 4-9 on cd1. one nice thing about this cd is how oakenfold breaks it up with the dead can dance and blade runner snips thrown in the middle a nice touch in my opinion. i'd definitely recommend buying the cd...nothing earth shattering or groundbreaking but it will keep you moving.

when the music has died dig deep for the classics....
This review will be quite old but i've owned the cd for a couple of years now and there is just no comparison.I hate to throw that phrase out but come on, the tracks are fantastic. Granted, I do agree that some of the songs seem to be out of place and the slightly adult contempo songs are can be cheesy but surprise; they are very well done. I own a bunch of the MOS trance nation series and while they are good they get repetive and I can understand why people say that this music sucks and that's its all the same. Anyway, the quality of the track selection is suburb. They really have a sound that no one was doing at that time and sound like so much more that just keyboards, vocals and a bassline. I give Oakenfold huge cred for picking them out. if you end up buying it listen to disc one straight through and if you are still not convinced listen to track one of disc two and then you'll know...

Two Reasons
1)Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (The Quiver Mix) - Led Zeppelin
2)Song to the Siren (Did I Dream)(Fable Mix) - Tim Buckley
Beautiful.

Very hypnotizing...
This two-disc set is absolutely wonderful. I'll admit that I like the second disc better, but disc 1 has some incredible tracks like "Piledriver" and Vangelis's "Tears In Rain" from Blade Runner. The songs are perfectly blended together and they vary; some songs being loud with a deep bass, while some tracks are very mellow and entrancing, such as "Rachel's Song" and "Sacrifice" on disc 2. Overall, it's a beautiful CD. ... 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

Album Description

The world's most popular dance DJ meets the world's bestdance brand! Louie DeVito has established himself as aforce to be reckoned with in the dance world. Includestracks by Galleon, Weekend Players, Dannii Minogue, LunaMora and more. Slipcase. Ultra Records. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A great Hit from yet again Louie DeVito!
Louie DeVito is definitely one of the best DJ's in the world. He usually picks spectacular music for his compilations. The first Cd starts out slow with Galleon "So I Begin", Jason Nevins "I'm In Heaven", Weekend Players "Into the Sun", but then gets up a beat or two with the 4th song called "Stuck, by Stacie Orrico, which is the Thunderpuss Mix remake. Then Louie DeVito plays the remix of Dannii Minogues "I Begin To Wonder", (Instrumentals copied from Dead Or Alive's "Spin Me Round".) BT "Simply Being Loved is a boring track here, but then Becky Baeling and Deborah COx start to come up and the cd begins to get more exciting. Milky "Just The Way You Are" is a track from 2001 so it brings the beat down a bit. The end of the cd is the best. Dana Rayne's "Object of My Desire !!!!!MY FAVORITE SONG OF THE YEAR SO FAR!!!!!!. QED "Love Bites", nice Valentin mix of it, and LIV~ Journey of Love. The second cd isn't that spectacular but it boasts some good club hits like Benni Benassi's "Satisfaction", Amuka's "Appreciate Me", Luna Mora's "Better Day" and Motorcycles "As The Rush COmes". I would recommend this cd to any Louie DeVito fan and any fan of dance music, both (Underground, Trance, and Mainstream Dance)

Louie DeVito's First Mixed CD For Ultra Is Excellent!
For the fourth installment of the ever so popular Ultra Dance compilations, New York D.J. Louie DeVito does the mixing honors. Known for his blending of popular house, electro and trance tunes, this 2-cd compilation is for those who like a nice mix of different styles of dance music. Disc One which is mostly house and trance, includes the popular "So I Begin" by Galleon, "I'm In Heaven" by Jason Nevins Presents Holly James, "Into The Sun" by Weekend Players, "Stuck" by Stacie Orrico, "I Begin To Wonder" by Dannii Minogue (this is a cool track that samples Dead or Alive's 80's Hi-Nrg Hit "You Spin Me Round..."), "Somnambulist" by BT, "Getaway" by Becky Baeling, "Play Your Part" by Deborah Cox, "Just The Way You Are" by Milky, "Object Of My Desire" by Dana Rayne, Qed's trance remake of Def Leppard's "Love Bites" and "Journey Of Love" by L.I.V. Disc Two is more progressive with a number of electro tracks including "Don't Laugh" by Winx, Benny Benassi's massive Kraftwerkish "Satisfaction", "Bucci Bug" by Andrea Doria, the electro "Appreciate Me" by Amuka, "Girlfriend" by Robbie Rivera, "Shake It" by Lee-Cabrera, "A Better Day" by Luna Mora, "The Hurting" by Mac Quayle Feat. Donna DeLory, "As The Rush Comes" by Motorcycle, ""Pressure" by Hatrixx, ""At Night" by Shakedown Feat. Terra Deva and "Be Free" by Lock And Burns. What separates this mixed cd from others I've heard is that DeVito remixes some of the songs himself and uses looping, phasing (flanging) and stutter effects to recreate how a creative disc jockey in a club would work these songs. The cd booklet, like all the Ultra Dance releases, has more attractive buxom ladies posing with Louie himself and by themselves. Just another reason to buy this excellent 2-cd set. Recommended!

Just Nice
A good amount of Club music never hurt anyone. Well except maybe Country artists. The Ultra Dance series continues it's apparently non-stop journey into the underground life of the weekend clubber. Track selection is good. However the unnatural shift sometimes from pure Club Remixes into House Remixes sometimes doesn't go very well. It's kinda odd to mix out from Deborah Cox into a very Joey Neigro sounding Housey groove. But Louie does get his point across at least.

the best ultra dance period
better than 1,2,3,and,5 put together
mixing good ,songs good well most of them anyway
1 of louie devito's best

Pretty decent CD
Okay, I've listened to the set a few times now.. and it's not that bad. In my opinion CD 1 is much better than #2. It's got a fair amount of "pop" type tunes but Louie does a pretty good job of threading them together. Yes it's kind of like a sugary dessert but I liked it. CD 1 really kicks in after the breakbeat after about the 3rd or 4th track.. then it's on overdrive.
CD #2 is just boring, imo. I don't know what happened there. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Brillant and Unique CD
Serart is the collaboration between Serj Tankian from System of a Down and Arto Boyaciyan. The cd far exceeded any of my expectations. It is a true aural trip for the listener. It is truly an eclectic mix of music from tribal drum rhythms to Middle Eastern beats. In a few of the song you even get a jazz feel (esp. in Cinema, one of my fav., and the Walking Experiment). Tankian and Arto voice are interwined throughout the album complimenting one another. Tankian's voice never fails to amaze me. Leaving Melody Counting Fear the combination of Arto and Serj's voice make this my favorite song on the CD. Narina is also driven by the vocals Arto and Serj are joined by Jenna Ross. Black Melon has a primal feel that can take you back to the dawn of time. Facing the Plastic is should be noted for the great beat and vocals. Claustrophobia is a spoken word track. As Tankian trademark the words throughout the album are thought provoking
Tankian said when he heard Arto for the first time he thought of the sound was pre-civilization. Well, the two have them have capture the feel the cd is trip through time, space and regions. The songs are often hauntingly beautiful. This is true a unique cd and with each listen seems to reveal another layer. By far one of the best cds I have heard in a long time.

Flawless, beautiful, a great journey of music
Serart is everything I've wanted in music. It incorporates African drum rythms and Arabic ones as well. It has touching vocals (very little english here but it doesn't matter for those of you who are actually open when it comes to music), and so much more. Everything about this album is flawless save the fact that it ends. This is NOT for System of a Down fans, as it's in a whole other league of music. There are no driving guitar/bass riffs, rapid beats on the snare drum, screaming vocals (I'm a huge SOAD fan- since they were "SOIL" but I'm just saying...), it's all mostly traditional music with a few "new" elements. Plus the DVD that comes with the CD provides images to some tracks (14 minutes total of video). And what powerful images they are. Sadly, most new System fans (those who started listening to them when Toxicity came out) will pick this up and expect another rock album. This will lead to a failure when it comes to sales, so please, have an open mind and buy this CD with no expectations. If you have no respect for the Arabic/Middle Eastern culture, stay away from this. I hope that more albums like this are to come from Serjical Strike Records.

Amazing.
Serj Tankian's form of expressing him is amazing -- whether it be making up words or created amazing melodies, etc.

arto and serj
both this guys, arto and serj , are very talented. their performance are unbelievable. i first heard name of arto tuncboyacyan in "deliveren" album of turkish diva sezen aksu ,on which arto have a great contribution. i really recommend "deliveren", too. the songs of the group of arto (night ark) are also increadible

Five stars are not enough!
Serart's music is unbelievably, unearthly beautiful. This is art in its purest form. I made the mistake of taking my first listen while on an hour-long drive, and I say "mistake" because I don't remember the trip. I felt as if my skull had opened up; the music was a cool, refreshing breeze blowing across my brain. For hours afterward I was just in awe. I have unwittingly searched my entire life for this album.

A caveat: if you are an old-school SOAD fan, you will appreciate this, because you understand at least a little of Serj Tankian's quirkiness and artistry. If you are already a fan of Arto Tuncboyaciyan, this is right up your alley. But if you are looking for another nu-metal release or if you have little respect or understanding of art or of Armenian culture, don't bother with Serart. I don't say this to alienate anyone, but you must truly open your mind and have no expectations but of a beautiful journey to enjoy this album. ... Read more

Album Description

Import edition of the British dance act's 1996 albumincludes two bonus tracks, 'Salva Mea (Way Out West Remix)' & 'Insomnia (Armands European Vacation Mix) (Bonus Track)'. 12 tracks in all. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Faithless Perfects With Reverence
In the traditional realm of dance vs. trance techno, Faithless has managed quite successfully to incorporate both genres into their styles, mixing it into a wonderful album that is glorious from beginning to finish. The first song, Reverence, is a great opener, with Maxi Jazz coming immediately upon the scene with his awesome and infamous raps, and the momentum continues until the end of the album. I became familiar with Faithless through their next album, Sunday 8PM, so the transition from that album to this one was substantial, yet both albums are of superb quality and succeed in refining the beautiful and powerful style of Faithless. Actually, in some ways I like Reverence somewhat better than Sunday 8PM, because of my background preference of dance, instead of trance. There is plenty of trance in Reverence, but it works itself well to build and not become tiring. I would definately recommend this album to everyone who appreciates musical talent in this sort of eurotechno/rap genre. Some highlights are: Reverence, Insomnia, Dirty Old Man, Don't Leave, and Salva Mea, but all of the songs are great. Buy this album!

Wonderful and eclectic
I love this album. It's a double CD pack, "Reverence" (unmixed) and "Irreverence" (mixed), though this may only be the case in the UK. The unmixed "Reverence" is actually ten times better than the mixed one. Everyone knows 'Insomnia' and 'Salva Mea' by now, with it's very upbeat uplifting beat that you can't help dancing to no matter how tired you are. However, there are also some excellent chill-out tracks such as 'Baseball Cap', and if I were taking a CD to a shop to test out speakers I would just bring this one as it has the lot, from rap to techno to acid trance, to even classical string sounds. Very eclectic, and not a bum track on the whole album. People who do not like rap should still consider buying this album: friends of mine who are not into rap love it, as the voice of Maxi Jazz in unobtrusive and perfect, and does not figure on every track. 'Don't leave' is a bit of a weepy love song with an endearing scratched record special FX in the background, but beautifully performed and of outstanding quality. The whole album is a classic and won't go out of date. Very British.

Far from Insomnia
Faithless first came out in 1996 and released what was going to become a classic, "Insomnia" which is a very unique dance track. Faithless is not only about dance however, their music influents changes from song to song, so don't be surprised if you hear something completely diffrent then the the hit single "Insomnia" here. There are also a few diffrent singers on the album. Jamie Catto that is somehow the frontfigure on the outside, Dido with others.

Faithless is Rollo and Sister Bliss, Maxi Jazz and Jamie Catto however, the first 2 started of as house producers and were behind some good songs in the early 90's, Faithless is far from a house band even if they are heavy infleunted by dance music.

"Insomnia" Is a very strange song, it starts with drums and a haunting melody typical for "house" music. Catto starts some slow philophical rapping about life, then after 2 minutes the "hook" arrives which is the "dance melody". "Salva Mea" is simular and one of the best songs on this album, watch out this is a long song aswell. it has some very good dance rthythm, however it's sang by a female aswell. The lead title "Reverence" reminds me abit of Arrested Development. Catto is rapping with some catchy backround beats. "Don't Leave" is sung by a man, with backround choirs. "Angeline" is simular to it, it also includes flutes that sound China influented. For those of you that liked Dido, yeah she appeared on "Flowerstand Man" a typical Dido song. I like "Drifting Away" alot it's slow almost ambient, and very beautiful dance song.

For those of you that likes dance music and like artisticm albums that are diffrent from your average dance album, take a look at this almost flawless dance masterpiece. Faithless has it all. They later followed up with the great "Sunday 8pm" and "Outrospective" which i didn't like. This album "Reverence" is highly recommended, it suits amny diffrent kinds of music taste.

One of the albums that is so unique...
This album was yet another one I discovered abruptly in 2001 and I tend to listen to it still tons and tons even today. I had heard of Faithless on the Cruel Intentions soundtrack with the song "Addictive", a track I thought was very good. I was presently surprised when I got Reverence to find an excellent album that is my favorite Faithless album still. The album opens off with "Reverence" and the light rapping but it mixes so well with the beat of the music. "Don't Leave" follows in a beautiful fashion and leads up to probably one of the best songs by Faithless, "Salva Mea"....this track begins off with violins and light vocals but tends to take on a trance/dance sound to it but after about 4 mins, the rhythm changes to more bass and light rapping again...a truly amazing and unique track. "If Lovin You Is Wrong" and "Angeline" are great tracks on the album as well but almost seem lost between "Salva Mea" and "Insomnia", another well known and amazing track on the album. "Dirty Ol' Man", "Flowerstand Man", and "Baseball Cap" are good tracks on the album as well but again seem overshadowed next by "Drifting Away", another favorite track of mine off this album. Overall, this is an amazingly unique album that just doesn't fade at all...if anything, it's like a fine wine that grows better with time.

Beautiful art that will touch you
Here I am, browsing at Amazon and in the background this AMAZING 'Reverence' album happens to be playing. Bought it when it first came out in the UK all these years ago. And now, listening to it, I just suddenly realised that this music just doesn't age - like the true art this album is.
The music and the lyrics have a 'heart'. Each track has got its own character, its own story to tell - listening to one, you wouldn't be able to predict the sound that's coming at you in the next track (The excellent 'Drifting Away' starts off as an OPERA - beautifully executed)... Yet, once you heard the given track - you will later IMMEDIATELY recognize it as 'Faithless' from the multitude of mostly 'same'-sounding beat/trance (or whatever) merchants out there.

Just get this album - you will keep playing it for years to come - because of its 'heart'.
Because it is art - you will keep discovering new things in it, the more you listen. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Different perspective, same intensity
Infected Mushroom is one of many Israeli techno artists, mostly producing Goa/Psy Trance. That being said, Infected Mushroom are NOT just one of many Israeli techno artists. They practically define the genre, and transcend it. A few songs on this cd defy classifcation, namely 'Dancing with Kadafi.' The progression in their songs are absolutely stunning, and they combine elements from practically any type of music you can think of. They go from rock/trance mix with 'Never Ever Land', to almost rave with 'Unbalanced (Baby Killer remix)' and 'BP Empire,' to pure trance with 'Noise Maker' and 'PGM (Prehistoric Goa Mood)' and they finish it off with the unbelievable 'Dancing with Kadafi.' And they go to everything else in between in the tracks among these.

I cannot come up with enough superlatives to describe this cd. My only suggestion is to get your hands on it as soon as you can.

What an album....
I listen to a ton of trance artists in the psychadelic/goa esque genre, and I must say that I have yet to hear anything that can even remotely compare to Infected Mushroom. The originality, detail, and craftsmanship that goes into their music is quite frankly amazing. B.P. Empire is one of many amazing Infected Mushroom albums. Generally it is a bit more ambient, and on some tracks possibly a bit more somber than some of their other realeases, but never the less it is a great album. My personal favorite tracks are Noise Maker and P.G.M.. Dancing With Kadafi is a track which is more of an experimental track, which appears to be the birth of the second disc from Converting Vegetarians (which is an experimental or like IM says, "other side" to Infected Mushroom which is like everything else they do, incredible.). Like all Infected Mushroom albums, the quality of the production of B.P. Empire is among incredible. One of the most amazing aspects of Infected Mushroom is their ability to cleanly mix a multitude of synth and percussion sounds simultaneously and make the mix sound tight and refined, and not like a huge mess. They are quite an amazing group, and at the time are probably my favorite artist in any genre. I also find it amazing how many people that I have showed Infected Mushroom to, that don't even listen to trance, are hooked on Infected Mushroom. I highly suggest that you pick up their albums if you love trance and have an open mind. I promise you will not regret it.

Not terrible but definitely not great.
Infected Mushroom has been around for a while, which is why I am so surprised that their music has yet to mature. Anyone who is familiar with the goa/psytrance scene must be aware that there are far far better producers than IM at this time. They may have been one of the pioneers of the genre, but they have since been eclipsed by better talent. If you don't believe me, feel free to email me and I will gladly send you (via mail or AOL IM link-up)one of my personal dj mixes which contain only non-commercial and underground producers (Son Kite, Noma, Timetech, Reefer Decree, etc.). I love the music and try to turn on as many people as possible. Email is djarchetype21@hotmail.com

New Listener
This item was recomended by Amazon and always look for the next good thing I thought I would give it a try. After the first listen I was blown away. This CD is a perfect mix of fast and complicated. It'd dleicate in spots and truly takes off. You will get lost. The mix is nearly perfect in spots and the combination of sounds is like nothing I have ever heard. Thank you Amazon!!!!

Not Hallucinogen
BP Empire is a CD that reclassifies genres, and bends to appeal to certain genders, in that the two artists are homo-sapiens who create dance music for other homo-sapiens. Lovers of simple, straight music will not appreciate the limp-wristed style of this CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

BT's velvety take on trance techno, typified by unusually light, liquidy melodies, smooth edges, and roomy breakbeats, was first noticed in the U.S. via his exceptional remix of Tori Amos's "Blue Skies." That song and other like-minded U.K. singles that preceded it gave rise to yet another variation of trance music dubbed "dream-trance." It's an apt label. BT's dense, yet straightforward compositions and benevolent mixes incorporate themes of escape and rebirth, with songs that imprint themselves on your subconscious. On Movement in Still Life, never before available in the States, BT breaks through the wall that separates techno from out-and-out pop, incorporating verse-chorus-verse song structures. Furthermore, he allows his dreamy mix to wander into Fatboy Slim-esque big beat territory. As a DJ, he's clearly capable of branching into different styles. The smart house and choppy beats of the title track make that apparent. He's still playing with needles and wax on that track, though; "Shame," with its acoustic drum/guitar sound and accessible pop vocal track sounds ready-made for alt-rock radio, with only touches around the edges that betray the presence of a DJ. Other songs, such as "Running Down the Way," blend the two styles more evenly, utilizing a pop song format but keeping it clubby and decidedly nonacoustic. Given BT's U.S. success with the pop/club mix of "Blue Skies," as well as the accessible, anthemic style he tends to favor as a DJ, the record makes perfect stylistic sense. He'd be wise, however, to keep dream-trance close to his turntables, as the perfection of such tracks as "Dreaming" and "Godspeed" make it blissfully obvious that he has utterly mastered the sound. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (119)

BT releases another epic
BT is taking us in new directions of music with this album. With the bigbeat sounding Movement In Still Life to the hiphop/ragga sounding Mic Chekka to the epic tracks Mercury and Solace and Running down the way up...BT collaborates with very talented artists, such as Kirsty Hawkshaw. On the Satellite track, guess who's singing and playing the guitar? Even though the last two tracks (Running down the way up and Satellite) sound like pop tracks, the vocals will blow you away as BT bestows the latest in cutting edge mixing and voice distortion on Running down the way up. Get the UK version of the CD from amazon for the longer tracks and special second CD with remixes and the Fibonacci Sequence song. If you liked Ima and are open minded to new directions BT may be taking, check out this CD today.

be Careful
For those looking for a disc like that of BT's past, i.e. "Ima" and "ESCM.", be careful...not only does BT stray from the formula he is so known for, but he even ventures into areas such as (GASP!) pop and rock. Tracks such as 'Satellite' and 'Never Gonna Come Back Down', which features vocals from Soul Coughing frontman M. Doughty, show that BT is a tremendous musician capable of much more than terrific melodic trance tracks. Following the commercial success of Moby's "Play," it seems as though Americans are starting to take notice of the electronica scene with great interest for a change. Enter BT, with perfect timing and a near perfect compilation of tracks that have something for everyone. Not only does he cover his usual trance anthems in this release, 'Godspeed' and 'Mercury and Solace', but he continues his venture into breakbeat, 'Madskillz' and the title track, and completes his journey ending with a very hip-hop song entitled 'Love on Haight Street'. I believe that this album will have a larger impact much like that of "Play" and introduce electronica to new and more diverse groups of people. BT's producing abilities are flawless in taking songs that were much longer such as 'Dreaming' and preparing them for the short attention span of the states. I applaud BT, because along with Moby, and Fatboy Slim, he has been a pioneer of electronica...taking it to new levels, and new masses. This album is a must have for any music lover.

The man's clearly got ADHD, but maybe that's a good thing.
BT's third album, Movement In Still Life (MISL), is about as cohesive and flowing as... well, it's just not cohesive and flowing. Almost every track seems to have its own flavor, its own style, as if they had been pulled from different CDs themselves and thrown together by somebody with a CD burner. There's no intermixing between them, there's no real "sonic path," or building of the album (ie, soft songs at first, then faster songs following). However, MISL is probably one of the finest albums every produced from any genre of music.

Breaks, trance, rock, pop... Everything comes together on this album. Each track, as mentioned before, has its own particular twist on a genre. Madskillz-Mic Chekka opens the album with a slick nu-breaks feel. Godspeed fills in for the classic Flaming June, confirming BT's place in trance / house history. Never Gonna Come Back Down, featuring Soul Coughing's M. Doughty, takes a pop-ish spin on BT's talents, while Shame and Satellite offer more of a soft rock / ballad one. Smartbomb drops BT into big beat territory, offering respectable competition for the likes of Fluke and The Crystal Method. Love On Haight Street offers the vocal talents of underground MCs Rasco and Fifty Grand. While most of BT's fans are probably club-happy trancers who'll detest the track, it isn't without its own good qualities, and shows more creativity in one song than than all of hip-hop has seen in years. The album really hits its apex with Dreaming, which combines one of Kirsty Hawkshaw's best vocal performances with the perfect synthesis of nu-breaks and trance.

Most die-hard electronica fans will prefer the import version of MISL. With great tracks like Fibonacci Sequence, Giving Up The Ghost, the BT and Paul van Dyk joint-collaboration Namistai (all three are sadly missing from the US version), it's a more "classic BT" sounding edition, with a more electronic and subtly mixed feel (though it also has the truly awful track Ride, but I suppose nothing is perfect). All that said, the US version of MISL still remains a fantastic album. It's less genre focused than the import version, but is arguably a more ambitious and creative effort. I personally own both, and find both possessing of their own merits. If you can, get both. If you can't and are more electronically inclined, get the import version. If you prefer a bit more diversity, however, and are interested in seeing one artist's vision of what several genres should sound like, then don't hesitate to pick up this classic disc.

Get the Import version
I agree with other reviewers of this CD. I happen to have bought this US re-release prior to getting the Import version (it's only the 1 CD German Import, not the 2 CD UK version which I'm sure is even better!). The US version has 3 weaknesses compared to the Import version: 1. The exclusion of excellent tracks like Namistai, Giving Up The Ghost, and Ride, to be replaced by weaker tracks like Smartbomb. 2. This album's track order is anything but smooth. BT's albums are normally a journey in itself from start to end, he blends tracks so seamlessly it's scary. But this version mish-mashed the tracks such that listening it from start to finish is not as enjoyable. 3. The Import version has longer, better mixes of the best tracks on the CD (Mercury and Solace, and especially Godspeed).

Bottomline is, get this if you must have every BT release, or don't mind having an 'unmixed' collection of his singles. Otherwise, I strongly suggest you get the Import version, the higher price is more than justified by the overall quality of the CD. Heck, even the Import cover and sleeve notes are better!

A great addition to any CD collection
Normally I would jump at the chance to beat down an American re-release of an import CD for many of the reasons given by other users. However, this CD is just so good and easy to listen to and I bet most of the people who own the import also own this CD as well. BT is just plain good at what he does. This CD is no exception. He travels through a few spectrums here with songs like the tale tellin' techno "Satellite" and the driving bass line and sound plane twisting in "Godspeed." "Running Down Way Up" is one of my personal favorites. His manipulation of the vocal track over a pleasant ambient trance background really puts me in a good mood. A stark contrast to the very popular "Never Gonna Come Back Down." "Dreaming" and "Mercury and Solace" also deserve mention for their beautiful vocals and for being tritely enjoyable to listen to. Yes it is different than his earlier releases. Yes it has a more "poppy" feel. But yes you should get this CD; it's good for dancing, it's good for chillin'. It's just so... good. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Considering his uber-DJ status, it comes as something of asurprise to learn that The Politics Of Dancing (and, presumably,feeling good) is the first-ever mixed outing from one of dance music'smost reluctant figureheads. Having said in the past that he didn'tthink he could bring the atmosphere of a club to a compilation, it hastaken the full weight of the ubiquitous Ministry to persuade thelegendary Berliners to their turntables for a steroid-pumped two hoursof music. Despite his aversion to the term, rippling Eurotrance is theorder of the day here, with Van Dyk stamping his authority by way of noless than 11 of his own tracks or remixes scattered across twoseamlessly mixed compact discs, the tracklisting for which has alsobeen dissected and rebuilt in the studio into what amounts to a seriesof exclusive versions. Message understood? --Kingsley Marshall ... Read more

Reviews (121)

GODLY MUSIC
Finally Paul Van Dyk produces a cd which contains music, not his own. The playlist is mindblowing...the cd is a trip to euphoria...Easily one of the best Electronic CD's out there...
My favorite tunes are...
CD 1
Ashtrax - Digital Reason (beautiful start to great compilation)
Jokerjam - Innocence (nice mix)
PvD - Vega (this song is sooo awesome)
Iio - Rapture (this song needs no introduction)
PvD - Autumn (probably the best track on this CD)
Cristalle - Viframa
Empire - Second Sun

CD 2
Massive - Ralphie B (an incredible song - though pretty old)
Questions Must Be Asked - David Forbes
Interference - Connector
Secrets & Lies - Blank & Jones (a great PvD mix)
Reach Me - Lexicon 4 (U have to listen to this one...awesome)
Into The Night - 4 String
Club Attack - Solid Sleep
Starchildren - Guardian of the Earth
Dreamland - Nu-NRG

Finally, for all trance fans...I GUARANTEE YOU WILL LOVE THIS CD...GO AND GET IT.

it's ok, though something is missing?
Paul van Dyk writes in his remarks on the cover of this album, "I don't see the point of playing a record that makes people just stand there, look at you and say 'Hmm, this is interesting...'" Strangely, however, this is the impression I got after listening to his new mix (which consists mostly of other people's tracks, not his own).

This 2-CD set is not about trance, it's about all the subgenres that can be loosely grouped under 'electronica': ambient, breaks, progressive, chill-out fuzzy riffs, occasional vocals, trance, and euro-beat, all mixed together. At times the music is good, and at times pretty boring. I didn't really feel the urge to get up and dance too often while listening to this CD. Paul also writes that CD1 supposedly represents a "warm-up" to a more "banging" CD2, but I sensed little difference between the two, in fact I thought the first CD was more energetic.

My favorite was the Euro-trance gem "NuNRG - Dreamland" with which PvD frequently closes his sets, and this one is no exception. Other interesting tracks were 1,4,7,13 on CD1.

Overall I was a little disappointed, but PvD fans will probably appreciate it, so I gave this 4 stars.

Just excellent!
The Vibes, the groove, the energy in both of the CDs that conform this album are just perfect. It's an steady tempo everytime, but the change in the harmonies, vocals and effects will change the progressive trance to breaks without even noticing one error in the mix. This is an album to enjoy with headphones, in your car, or partying.....everytime you listen to it you will feel energetic and optimistic....you will understand.

the best of paul van dyke
this CD is truely the best of paul van dyke work i have more then 80 underground and trance cds and let me tell you i think this one is my favorite, the effects are awsome and i advise everyone who understand in the music to buy it.

It is all Bangin and flawless mixing.
This is Trance done bangin' style. It mostly borders on the electronica/techno side of Trance with lots of loops and drum beats but this is a definitive style of hard dance floor Trance. If you are looking for easy listening bed time PVD then go elsewhere. This is all wham wham wham up and down the staircase of electronic music. If you are looking for something to really get you going and the more energetic side of Trance music to dance too then this one scores on all counts. It is pretty bam bam bam with lots of great flawless mixing, echos to sonic booms combined with lots of drum rolling take-offs and highs on the way.

CD 1 is lighter than CD 2 but on its own CD 1 is still bangin' Trance club music. CD 2 is heavier in the thumps department. It is all good!

For those of you who do not know Paul Van Dyk, well PVD is a Euro club DJ who does Ibiza venues and where ever else the 20,000+ ravers go to spend their holiday dance evenings. PVD is also an artist with his own tracks that are all really kickin' beats. If you are into dance music that is thumping but artistic at the same time then get this. This is Trance Rave that is played inside tents to thousands of people and dancers.

If you liked the unforgettable Paul Oakenfold's "Trancesport" then you will like this one too. I also recommend Oakey's new one the "Great Wall". ... Read more

Amazon.com

Who would have thought that German trance producer André Tanneberger--a.k.a. ATB--had such a penchant for irony? It really is the only explanation for why he would name this collection of languid tracks Movin' Melodies. That's not to knock the music--most of which, it must be said, lacks the sheer escapism that makes the hit "9 P.M. (Till I Come)" such a blissed-out pleasure. Movin' Melodies is structured for a party, starting off slow and building toward songs like "Killer 2000" (featuring a vocal that sounds transported from late-1980s electropop). It then loses all momentum on the tedious intro to "Too Much Rain," but picks up again with "Don't Stop." Like "9 P.M.," it features vocalist Yolanda Rivera and is just as much fun, but it's followed by a half-dozen tracks that don't quite match up. --Randy Silver ... Read more

Reviews (77)

Addictive Trance Beats!
ATB AKA Andre Tanneberger's first album and one of the best. A great mix between fast dancable songs and slow chillous songs. ATB started of with songs like "9PM" and "Don't sop" including his unique catchy sound, the majority of songs here are actually faster one's. Check "Sunburn" which is wonderful. This album is alot diffrent from "Addicted to music" for example, but there are some wonderful chillout songs aswell here like "Obsession" "Kayana" and "Emotion". He made a version of Adamski's classic "Killer" too and "Too much rain(over paradise) a tribute to victims of fluds in central america. There are certainly greater Dj's then ATB out there but when it comes to make pleasant and beautiful sounds simular to Robert Miles on "Dreamland" He's a true genius. I listen to this album cause i love the melodies and that's pretty much what his music is made for. He did a great work here and it's simply one of the best dream-dance albums ever made. Must have!

Great CD
I picked up Paul Van Dky's Re-mix selection a while back (Vorsprung sumthin or other...it's awesome!) and i actually enjoy ATB's album more than PVD's remix album.

This is definitely trance music at it's top. And i dont regret buying it. Unfortunately, this being the States, i doubt i'll find very many people who would enjoy this as a gift.

As for house music, this isnt what you're looking for. Try to pick up Phats And Smalls or Cunnie WIlliams if yer looking for good house. For French Fun House, there's always Daft Punk's Homework (AMAZING STILL TODAY), and Casius' 1999. I hear Basement Jaxx is awesome too.

Well back to the original point. This CD is a great entrance into Trance. For a broader survey of Trance pick up TranceSpotting (Volume 1 mixed by Oakenfold), TranceGlobalNationUnderground (any of them), or some Ministry Of Sound compilations. Or just move to Europe. :)

Movin' Melodies
Movin' Melodies~ ATB is one well produced album. The songs are nicely done with good loops and plenty of trance action. Recommended.

Not bad.
Now I bought this cd after hearing 9PM. ATB has some great stuff on this record. My biggest complaint with this album though, is that it can't be listened to as an album. If you are DJing a party I highly recommend this album to throw in a couple of his tunes but don't use too many because you might get people wondering if you already played that song. While his sound is unique, all of his songs have the same sound. As a whole album, it is very repetitive, the one thing that turns people away from electronic music. I would like to see him stray from his blueprint every now and again. He could be much greater.

Interesting
The song 9:00 P.M.(Till I Come) has a very unique sound to it. The sliding of different notes gives it a "peaceful" sound yet keeps you dancing. I would say this artist is not the best, but I wouldn't mind listening to it often. The reason is most of the songs have the same kind of melody in them. 4 stars. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Some good songs, some bad songs, and some lousy mixing
3 stars is somewhat generous I think. Calling this CD trance just reminds us that the word is overused. Most tracks are more of a trancey sounding pop music. Every track weighs in at a typical pop length of 3-4 minutes. If you've heard Alice Deejays "Better Off Alone" then you get the idea. That said, there are some good songs here, though most of them are overplayed and included on many other CD's. What I can't figure out is why the Happy Boys, whoever they are, or anyone else would want to take credit for mixing this album. A computerized mixer throwing in a generic background beat between tracks could have done just as well as one track just kind of crashes into the next. I did find one possible use for the CD. Guys, if you know a girl whom you'd like to hook on trance, start with something like Trance Party. The lighter pop sound could be a transition from cheese pop toward harder trance. It's "trance" that the masses have heard before.

Best mix of a Trance CD EVER!!
This Cd is absolutely excellent. Its great for any party!! A deffenant must hear!

1) Touch me- Rui Da Silva - great, ok vocals but good tune!
2) Sandstorm- Darude - A classic, no vocals but excellent track!
3) Toca's Miracle- Fragma - good song, awesome words!
4) Only You- Sulk - ok...nothing more.
5) Escape- Kay Cee - one of my favorites!! awesome beat!!!
6) Castles in the Sky- Ian Van Dahl- Classic!!!great!!
7) Omnibus - Laut Sprecher - Good song, wierd and in german.
8) Its a Fine Day- Miss Jane- My favorite, great!
9) Kernkraft 400- Zombie Nation- also a classic. Love it!
10) Cant Keep Me Silent- Angelic - Awesome song.
11) Ordinary world- Aurora - Excellent song good beat!
12) Better off Alone- Alice Deejay - AWESOME i love this song!
13) Take My Breath Away- So real - Good song i love it.
14) On the Beach- York - ok, bad vocals though.
15) Look at us now- Serina Paris- ok, not great!
16) Scream for More- Kate Ryan- i love this song, great vocals!

YOU must have this CD!!It is an excellent mix get it now...also check out volumes 2 and 3!

BAH!
Cheese. Only reason I gave this 2 stars is because it's nice to listen to poppy tunes. *sometimes* I suppose it would be nice for someone just getting started in trance *as it was for me* but now I wouldn't buy this if you paid me. Get Tranceport by Paul Oakenfold. A much better cd for classic old trance. After you get situated, start getting recent stuff by Sasha, Markus Schulz, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, etc. Also check out the Nukleuz and Tidy labels for harder trance. www.trance.nu

Trance Party Volume One
Some of the transitions between songs are rather abrupt. There could have been more careful planning, such as mixing songs in same or similar keys after each other. The transition between "Touch Me" and "Sandstorm" is the most abrupt, but at least the two songs are the same tempo.

As far as the music goes, the only song I'll complain about is "Look at Us" (track 15) but only because they chose the wrong mix of the song.

It's a great CD other than those two things.

The best of trance
This single handidly is the greatest trance mix i have ever bought and beleive me i own a lot of techno buy it trust me if you like trance as much as i do you'll love this cd ... Read more

Album Description

A twelve track journey into the world's best trance mixedby one of the true masters of the turntables. Even wellover a decade after his emergence, Oakenfold has remaineddance music's most popular DJ, having worked with suchartists as U2 , Simply Red, New Order, The Cure and Massive Attack. 2001 release. Standard jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Oakey at his best with some different work.
What the hell is Goa Trance? I didn't know till I bought this cd, along with "World of Goa Volume 1."
That type of music, GOA, I always wondered what it was. It sounded familiar when I played this cd in my player. I LOVE the effect of that particular instrument they use in goa music, I have NO club what it's called. I really like the beat, and even though it may sound like it's all the same -- It is not.
I have been listening non-stop in the car for the past 2 days, and I'm quite happy. If you like a little of late 90's trance, then pick up this cd. It is totally different as to what I've heard from Oakenfold, and that's what makes it cool.
On the mixing....well, it's not flawless...there is definitely & notorious changes from one song to the other one, but it's not that bad.
This is a fast-paced cd, all the way through. The beats will have your speakers pumping some air, and the sound the beats & effects will stay in your head, and you'll want to listen again.

I am getting all of Oakenfold's cds, as many as I find.
This one could not miss it on my list.

GOA TRANCE MIXED BY ONE OF THE BEST!
This latest release by Oakenfold (whether it's actually a new release or not i'm not sure) takes you on a different trip than what you'd hear on Oakenfold's 2-cd set "Another World" or even his "Transport" cd. This is more mideastern sounding with some arabic or indian chanting on certain tracks that actually adds to the appeal of this cd. The GOA trance sound is mideastern with nice hypnotic synthesizers running alongside a disco beat. This cd will give you an idea of the many elements of trance. The mixing is nearly flawless and is very hypnotic sounding. Even fans of Claude Challe (Buddah Bar Series) may enjoy this music. The only drawback to this cd is that the songs are very similar and tend to get a bit boring after awhile (if heard in it's entirity too many times). I would recommend this cd for those who like mideastern sounds and trance fans worldwide. Recommended!

Trance x Psy
In response to the first review of this album (I forgot the guys name)let's clarify some points. This is definately old school trance but by no means psy trance.

Psy and Goa have a much faster pace(try www.digitallyimported.com psy channel) and harder beats. Honestly, I think it's crap as much of it it's pretty much the same with a few exceptions. Trance and PSY, as they are known today originated from the same genre but took different directions.

Trance is more melodical and has musicality. Note that I am not talking about euro dance songs entitled trance and maybe thats your mistake(Ian van dahl for me is not trance). By the way, you said that Psy went back to Europe but anyways it has a very small penetration. Like other genres, there is good quality trance and poor as well. eletronic music has become a huge industry and many people adventure on it.

I suggest you make a good reserch and really find some good trance, which is way better than psy, which is available all over. John digweed, Sasha, Ferry Corsten, Stargaze and many others.

Purely Paul
On the strength of GLOBAL UNDERGROUND 007:PAUL OAKENFOLD, I bought VOYAGE INTO TRANCE. I was pleased that VIT is a seamless continuity of Paul's genius, even if some of his other recent releases sound...overbearing and commercial.Like GU, this is a soundtrack to cool back with and let the turntables take over. I loved when I always brought this to work and other employees were asking me what was in the CD player.
Some of the highlights are "Trancemission", "Sly-Ed", "Superbooster", "Feeling Weird" and the closer "LSD". But the whole album is stellar and there shouldn't be a need to hit the 'next' button on your CD player.

The Finest and Most Definitive of Goa/Psy Trance
If you are expecting a typical mainstream club trance CD with singing divas and bouncy melodies, get ready to experience something else. This is one of Oakenfold's few voyages into this side of trance, a form referred to both as Goa or Psy Trance. When friends ask me what Goa or Psy Trance are, I always share this CD because there is no finer example of this genere. I return to this CD again and again because it is dark and yet very spiritually uplifting - honest music with little commercialism.

Some reviewers have provided negative reviews of "Voyage into Trance". Perhaps this has more to do with their aversion to Goa than this particular mix by Oakenfold. I find the selections to be among the best that Goa has ever produced. Oakenfold may not be known for spinning Goa, but he brings his superb taste in music and his ability to seemlessly mix to the world of Goa, and the genere is better for his having touched it. (Actually, I think Oakenfold is so highly talented that he could probably produce a successful and compelling continuous mix of reggae or country/western music! But now I deviate).

If you don't tolerate alternative forms of electronica outside of mainstream club trance, you may not like this CD. But if you are open to the many wonderous forms and varieties of electronica, Goa/Psy trance (and particularly this CD) may appeal to you as it does to me. "Voyage into Trance" certainly fills a special spot in my ever growing collection. Hopefully it will affect you as it has touched me. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Never predictable, Washington, D.C., duo Deep Dish mix tunes in that resolutely Chocolate City way--just a little short of menacing. Their Ibiza mix debut follows their city's warped but fun tradition to the letter, bending the rules of the club compilation along the way. Despite being recorded for the progressive house heads at Renaissance, this is not Sasha & Digweed breakdown music or chill-out for the hyperactive. Instead, Deep Dish serve up old fashioned trance--cinematic, euphoric, and definitely not soul-soothing. When they drop Everything but the Girl's "Temperamental" and twist it into a tech-house monster groove, we have our first truly Balearic moment. From this point, the double-disc set kicks into overdrive, working up the music into hard-core sci-fi funk. This doesn't mean that the Yoshi Toshi boys are averse to genre trashing. Dubfire and partner's sweeping elegiac mix mashes up thumping floor fillers, twisted Latino bass, "I Testify" garage music, Radiohead wannabes Muse ("Sunburn"), and Kinetic's "Golden Girls" with tongue firmly in cheek. On the second disc the emphasis switches from melody to rhythmic intensity and rushes of sound. Flutes, drums, and dubbed-out vocals carry tunes such as "Ubik" (Timo Maas), "Dreaming" (BT), and "Circuit Breaker" (ECVM) before edging toward the madness of Green Velvet's freak show, "Flash." --Maxine Kabuubi ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Deep Dish Do Prog House Fresh to your Ears!!!
Deep Dish are one of my favorite DJs. They really have a sense for the classic tracks and mix these in liberally. When I first bought this disc I was somewhat disappointed. But as usual, good things happen to those who wait. After checking it out again recently, I now realize how deep these cuts are and how enjoyable they are to listen to. The first disc starts slowly and builds to EBTG Tempermental which is followed by the awesome Barbarella by Sven Vath. The disc continues to build nicely and with the beginning of Disc 2 with Timo Mass' Ubik (album version) I am now spinning out of control with my glow stick in hand waiting for the next track. Later Deep Dish take it to a trippy level with Green Velvet's "Flash" and the real kicker comes with BT's "Dreaming" which is truly splendid. Another disc using this same track is Renaissance Awakening with Dave Seaman (which is slightly better). Overall, Deep Dish delivers yet another solid progressive house set that borders on trance at times. Smoooth work Guys! Enjoy!!

Flawless mixing, but tracklisting comes across as wayward
RENAISSANCE IBIZA, mixed by Deep Dish, showcases the duo's pioneering deep house style but features some surprisingly trance-y moments. As usual, Deep Dish proves themselves master mixologists, but on this two-disc set the tracklisting is something of a let down.

Although disc one begins softly with Brooks' "Pink Cigarettes" and builds up to the climactic action of a club mix of EBTG's "Tempermental," the rest of the first disc is flat and lifeless. Deep Dish has not risen to the level of truly great DJs like Sasha in being able to make each set a journey through perfectly placed peaks and valleys within the mix.

Disc two is better, featuring more high-end sounds, but suffers from much the same problem. Although Lustral's "Everytime" through Halogen's "Red Horizon" seems to show the building of a groove, Moby's "Porcelain (Futureshock remix)" dashes one's hopes.

Deep Dish can mix ingeniously, but this set is rather flat. I'm happier with Sasha and Sander Kleinenberg.

Wow
Just discovered this CD and had to go see them spin. Im amazed well worth your time. They do not let you down at all...totally chill!

Wow......
This album defined my musical listening taste for local groups. I originally bought this album as an import, sadly, my ex swiped it when we broke up. I am now purchasing this album for a second time, a strong testiment for my love of this album. this is well worth the money, anyone who loves Tiesto or Oakey, but likes a bit of a darker edge, try this album on for size and I guaruntee you will love it.

One of their best!!
This has got to be the best cd they ever put out. Some may argue that the yoshiesque cd's are better, but I beg to differ. This is flawless stuff. It's hard edged, yet soothing. It's borderline trance, house, and progressive. It's funky, deep, and soulful. It caters to everyone. This is what Deep Dish USED to sound like. This cd should definetly be the first Deep Dish cd you buy. This is the MOST concise definition of Deep Dish. ENJOY!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

More Commercial Trance That Has Too Many Older Songs!
This "Best Of Trance 3" cd is a non-mixed collection of mostly older commercialized trance hits. Most of these songs are played out and Robbins Entertainment should get on the ball and start releasing compilations of newer trance stuff. The songs are basically short radio versions, with the exception of Delerium's "Silence" which is the "Airscape" remix full length version. Songs such as Lasgo's "Something", Perpetuous Dreamer's "The Sound Of Goodbye", Ian Van Dahl's "Will I", Plummet's "Damaged", and Emma Shaplin's "Spente Le Stelle" are good songs but far too old for this 2003 compilation. My suggestion, look for import compilations for the newer trance songs and skip this collection altogether.

Female Vocalist Trance at its most tasteful
If you're into solid trance with killer bass and great vocals(is it really trance if it's vocal??) then this cd is perfect for your taste. Awesome songs from the likes of 4 strings, etc. This is the best vocal trance you can get your hands on. I'm not big into vocal crowned songs, but this cd entices me greatly and i have got to give it a very good rating. Drawbacks are, as other reviews will tell you, some cheese when it came to the vocals, but the rest of the beats and overall performance of the album is great(skip the opera trance, it's murder to even listen to hear class culture mixed with high energy club culture- it's like mixing a bad drink of fine wine and red bull)but enjoy the rest of this delightful cd.

Robbins Entertainment never misses
Every single track on this album is fantastic. The only one I ever skip is the third track (a lot of opera, not for me), but even it's good. Every other track, especially "Damaged" and "Come Into My Dream", is unbelievably good. I guess what I love about trance is this sense of drama in it; there really isn't anything great in the lyrics, but the way the singers always infuse them with passion leads you to believe otherwise, if just for a second. All in all, you cannot go wrong with this CD (unless your a purist, but if your a Sirius trance listener, this is the best).

Tranceaddict
My first Trance CD. Now that I am more immersed in the trance genre, I think I have a better ability to review this CD.
Don't count on something hardcore, progressive trance on this CD. All tracks are vocal trance--most of them liquid trance too. I have to say that half of the songs are really worth listening to, and the other half weren't worth the bait. Yes, some of the lyrics on some songs are cheesy, but all else is sweet!

The Best of the Best
This cd what can I say words can't describe it. I have never been able to describe what this cd has done for my life. All of the songs in it are so powerful and deep in meaning and emotion. If I were to recommend any cd out there this would be the one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With this delicious double-disc investigating deep trance to the earthiest degree, Dutchman Sander Kleinenberg proves himself a rare and true gem in the ever-expanding world of DJs and producers. Every track he touches becomes imbued with an expert's sense of love and levity. But the real excitement here is supplied by Kleinenberg's ear for music. Subsequently, his track selection is never anything less than genuinely enthralling: Mike Vandenberg's "Spooky," a scintillating update on Harold Faltermayer; Virtuoso's almost tantric blast of energy, "Stay With Me;" and his own eerie Moroder-esque twister, "Hidden Agenda." Kleinenberg's enthusiastic energy on this seamless mix of trance, techno, and funky house also subtly complements the mood of the music. Witness the way Audiomontage's "Fly Baby" cruises before slipping into the fast lane with East West Connection's punchy dance-floor motions on "Once I've Been There," or even the gleefully assaultive partnership of Marc O'Tools's "Stauffenberg" and Pariah's "Keep the Peace." Everyone knows names like Nick Warren and John Digweed, but this guy is only just scratching the surface of mainstream fame. Buy this set, give him a year, and know that Sander Kleinenberg will be one of the world's top DJs. --Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Polished, with suprises, another Nu Breed must-have
There's something exhilarating about a Nu Breed release. It's not just the quality or breaking vinyl-exclusives, standards for all the Global Underground releases. It's the feeling that these Nu Breed spinners are trying a bit harder to carve out their niche, exploring the boundaries of house music with their judicious selections. Previously, Anthony Pappa peered into a cloud of driving, tripped-out trance, Steve Lawler delved the tribal rhythms, and here Sander Kleinenberg effortlessly shifts through the house beat in all its conventions.

Asian inflections fused to bass flow smoothly and slowly for openers, a luxury of having over two hours to work with. He proudly defies pigeonholes, from the crisp tech crackle of Purple 'Money Shot,' to the needle-grinding Banco De Gaia standout 'Obsidian' (think 'That Zipper Track' with soaring vocal). Plenty of buffed-clean house and inventive percussion (Gintare's 'Trancenavigation') prepare listeners for a plunge into heavier progressive numbers that close both discs. And of course the feat wouldn't be complete without one of Kleinenberg's own pieces, 'Hidden Agenda,' showcasing the production skills that brought his name to attention in 1999.

The set never really peaks (to be expected of Global releases these days), but balances the pacing quite well throughout; no disc one warm-up plate here. Polished and hiding surprises, Kleinenberg produces a must-have for this series' followers, and another welcome discovery to the new crop of DJs.

Timeless Mix!!!
Hands down this is the best mix I have gotten in the last 3 years. I listen to all of 'em from Deep Dish to D Howells to Tiesto to Nick Warren. Kleinenberg and especially this CD blows them all away. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

CD 1 is dark and hard and the Banco De Gaia sond Obsidian is still on of the best tracks I've heard on ANY compilation. CD 2 is just as amazing. It very housey in the beginning and is the essense of progressive bangin' house.

YOu will not find a better timeless mix out there. Get this and the rest of Sander's mixes. He is the climbing on DJ Mags top 100 DJs at 13 and deserves to be in the top 5. You won't be disappointed w/ any of his work.

Best NuBreed
In my opinion, these two CD's are the pinnacle of the NuBreed series. The mixing is near flawless, the tracklisting is unreproachable, and the overall feel of the album is magnificent. I own all 6 NuBreeds, and if I had to sell 5 of them, I know which one I would keep. Sander Kleinenberg has done a spectacular job on this compilation, and he held nothing back. From trancy stormers like Scorchio to dark, moody hits like Onix-1, Sander has created a feel on this CD that few have ever been able to capture on plastic. Steve Lawler is probably a close second to this, followed by Anthony Pappa, with Tomiie nipping (no pun intended) at his heels.

Welcome to prog house.
Welcome to the world of progressive house.
Your host, Sander Kleinenberg will take you on a journey you have not been before. He will take you places. He will make your body hurt of dancing so much.
This set has it all. Progressive house at its best.
In my opinion, at first I wasn't really impressed with Kleinenberg. I thought about him as the new "kid on the block."
Well, guess what. He is still, in my opinion, the new kid on the block to progressive house.
But he does a VERY good job at it. Sander Kleinenberg has a VERY well thought of, carefully selected & mixed track selection.
Busy hi-hats & bass lines from the beginning to the end. Continuous beats which keep you going are the heart of this cd.
At first, I wont lie, I was a bit skeptical about this cd. I said, "new kid? sucky music."
Still I decided to give it a try.
I'm glad I did. This set proved me wrong.
It delivers. It pumps bass & beats.
Isn't that what we're looking for?
Get this cd if you want to have a good time. If you want to party & dance, don't forget to have it spinning in your player.

Sanders Beginning
no doubt, sander is one of the most talented djs out there and if you listen to his sets or see him perform (at least once in your life), know that this CD is without a doubt one of the best in the nubreed series. from spacey vocals to deep bass, from highs to lows, from light to dark, this compilation touches it all. i bought this cd a year and a half ago and i listen to it at least 3 times a month. masterpiece! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Even before he became an internationally acclaimed DJ and producer, Paul van Dyk was creating tremors in the techno world. Originally released in his native Germany in 1994, 45 RPM marks a pivotal point in the Berliner's career. Thanks to a deal with Mute Records, American audiences finally get a chance to catch up with van Dyk's formative work. The rudimentary club beats and synthesizer effects may sound a bit cold now, but signs of impending stardom are plentifully, particularly on the classic club track "For an Angel" and the high-energy disco cut "Emergency!" --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (30)

for an angel
the 7 ways cd was the first pvd album i had ever purchased... but when i heard "for an angel", that instantly became my favorite song so i ran out and bought 45 rpm. this cd is one of my least favorite of pvd's. although "for an angel" is probably the most beautiful song ever known to trance, the rest of the album lacks the energy and powerful flow of beats that exists in "for an angel". i do not regret buying this album, all new trance listeners should eventually get this cd, but i'd suggest getting out there and back, or seven ways before 45 rpm.

One of the Meistros of Electronica
This CD is purely awesome! Paul van Dyk is definitly the godfather of producers. I am not a huge fan of non-mixed Dj CDs, but this is one exception! PVD, brought goosebumps to my body with "For an Angel"! This song is deep, sufisticated, beautiful work. Trance has never seen a better man. If you are not a fan of Trance, PVD will change your opinion in no time! Get this CD.

Not bad for his early works
I own pretty much everything with PvD's name on it. I have every single 12" vinyl of his as well. Anywhooooo, this is one of the few that will not recieve a 5 out of 5 because there are some songs on this CD that I can't even dance to. Then again, there are songs like "For an Angel", "45rpm", "Spannung (Tension)", "Emergency!", "Rushin' (Revolutions Per Minute)", "A Magical Moment", and "For an Angel (PvD's E-Werk Club Mix)" that stand out as the best ones on here. I would recommend getting this first if you don't have any of his other stuff so that you can see or hear how he has evolved through the years.

The US' First Look at PvD
Now, most people who know PvD, know him from Seven Ways (released in the US in 1997) and later purchase his first album looking for a duplicate of Seven Way's beautiful and ethereal feel. Thus leading to the extremely common belief that this album is not very great.

Well, considering this music was made before 1994, this was his debut album, and most of his influence up to this point is German, I think this is a damn fine album. It's definately different from other PvD work, but isn't the variety and exploration what makes music great?

45 RPM has more a noticable steady bassline and solid beats in comparison with all of his other work, which gives it a much grittier feel and shows that years of practice and dedication do make an impact. =P

If you're looking for that smoother, dreamy heaven, though, I strongly reccomend Out There and Back - it's by far the best work PvD has done. The great thing about this artist is not just his amazing ability to make music, it's the incredible energy in him that shows up in all of his music - and radiates in OTB.

So, depending on your tastes and ability to go into new situations without preconceived ideas, 45 RPM might or might not be what suits you. Just let go of your expectations and keep in mind the factors under which this album was created and enjoy!

A Trance Lover Must Have
I thoroughly enjoyed Paul Van Dyk's compilation here especially "I'm Comin'(to take you away)...very sensual and borderline provacative, "For An Angel"...great "T- dance" tune to get you pumped up on the dance floor...he'll keep you up and bumpin it with the title track "45 RPM" with the same high ENRGY tempo. "Emergency" will leave you startled as you anticipate the arrival of an ambulance siren. This culminates with a reprised version of "For An Angel" leaving you craving more. Keep it comin' PAUL! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Solid, but not as good as past efforts
Compared to many of Tiesto's past mixes (Magik 6, In Search of Sunrise 1, Magik 3), I feel that this one falls a little short. It doesn't have the epic, spiritual, and euphoric magic of his past mixes, which I feel was summed up perfectly in Magik 6, which still gets heavy rotation in my CD player after all this time. His implementation of Moogwai's "Viola" on Magik 6's mix was masterful and takes you as high as you've ever been when listening to trance mixes. Tiesto has been quoted as saying that trance is one of the few forms of dance music that doesn't require drugs to enjoy. He's absolutely correct, and while Magik 7 isn't his strongest outing, if you're new to trance music, you sure could do a lot worse. The mixing is done well, and his selection of tracks is decent (unfortunately, there's a number of tracks on here that you've heard over and over before), but I just don't feel the same amount of heart and soul in this mix as I've felt in the past. Still, it's a lot better than the emotionless drek that Oakenfold has been putting out as of late.

Good, but doesn't beat Magik Six
This album is all Tijs Verwest-style good, what you'd expect from the Trancemaster himself...

It has a nice tracklist... with these standing out tracks:

The Auranaut - People Want To Be Needed -Great intro for the CD, it really builds up atmosphere, and is a good track in itself too

Three Drives - Sunset in Ibiza -A Classic track already, and a nice second track. although the mixing into it from Auranaut isn' t totally flawless...

Schiller - Das Glockenspiel -The third track on the album, a classic too.

Jan Johnston - Flesh (DJ Tiesto Mix) -This track is AMAZING! It has Jan's angelic vocals, and what Tiesto did with from break at 3:42 till the end is amazing, and seamless mix into Stringer

Riva - Stringer -One of the best tracks of this year, and the mixing from Flesh and into Sunrise at Palamos is seamless.

M.I.K.E. - Sunrise at Palamos -Great track, it may not be easy melodic trance, but M.I.K.E. did it again. Great mixing into Push.

Push - Strange World -Another M.I.K.E. track, this song, anthem for the first Trance Energy of 2001, is simply genious.

DJ Tiesto - Flight 643 -What can i say? You either love or loathe this track, (i love it) that is not standard Tiesto, but more techno-ish, hard, and full of energy. Too bad the original is on it, not the better Orkidea mix.

CJ Bolland - The Prophet -Superb closure of the CD, great track.

Summary: It's a Cd that any trancelover should have in his/her collection, and in my opinion good too for people discovering trance, but it's certainly not beter than Magik Six, which is the best trance CD ever.

First time fans passover this cd.
I'm a huge Tiesto fan. This would not be the case had this CD been my introduction to him. The Jan Jackson vocals are downright annoying. The tone is depressive and even the beats felt like they were aiming to make me suicidal. I don't know how this mix, being live, could have kept the ravers dancin.

New to Trance? This is your gateway!
Disclaimer: Before commencing with this review I would just like to say that I am NOT going to compare this CD to Tiesto's other works. I find this an unfair judgement method as I am a firm believer that reviews should be centered directly around what is actually being reviewed.

Magik Seven: Live in Los Angeles was the very first professionally mixed techno compilation that I ever purchased. While it does have sentimental value to me, let that not heed the credibility of my words when I say that this CD is a true masterpiece.

The journey begins with a female announcer... "All the way from Holland just to help you get your groove on... It is DJ... Tiesto..." Right then and there you know that you're in for something special. The first anthem "People Want to Be Needed" by Auranaut then kicks off with some male vocal singing. The track pulls at you, pries at you, and drives you nuts until finally at 1:30, Tiesto's signature deep house beat kicks in, slamming you in the face and making you want to get up and scream right along with the live cheering of the audience.

The tracks progress from the warp-like sounds of "Sunset On Ibiza" by Three Drives, to the powerful and evocative echoes of "Das Glockenspiel [Humate Remix]" by Schiller. After these first three tracks, you begin to feel the true emotion that Tiesto has employed in the set, and by the time he is done calming things down with track four, you'll be ready for the rest of the CD.

Featuring Jan Johnston, one of Europe's leading female trance vocalists, Tiesto drops "Flesh [DJ Tiesto Mix]" from the heavens at track number six. Originally done by Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto takes the song to a completely new level with his remix. This is one of those inspiring tracks that truly defines Tiesto's personal style that is Progressive House Vocal Trance.

Continuing on the journey, instead of building the mix set to a climax as most DJs do, Tiesto does something completely different with the rest of his performance. Between tracks seven through nine, the music grows darker, while the beats grow deeper. When the aptly named "Lost Vagueness [Oliver Lieb's Main Mix]" by Utah Saints creeps in, the CD changes direction and dawns a more cultural and tribal feeling. No longer as uplifting as before, one feels lost in a dark abyss while listening to this portion of the mix.

Just before his final run, Tiesto pulls us out with a perfect insert of his signature track "Flight 643" Whether you love or hate this song, its mixing into the set cannot be disputed as it is so strategically placed.

Summing things up, the set is truly defined by the final song "The Prophet" by CJ Bolland. The booming bass as well as the uplifting synth echoes give this song a power that can only be compared to that of a religious revival. A male preacher literally calls to the audience during the breakdown of the song, warning all of the coming of God. (Hence the track title, The Prophet)

Overall, Magik Seven: Live in Los Angeles is a live mix CD that not only showcases some of the best trance on this planet, but also features some creative DJing the likes of which have never been emulated by any DJ other than Tiesto himself. The flawless mixing between tracks as well as the cheers from the crowd (which thankfully are not overbearing) will make you feel like you are really at the Mayan Theater in Lost Angeles, attending the show. To clear up any question on the quality of the live music, fear not, you can blast this CD on the loudest of systems (my car's or my PC's 5.1 Surround Sound) and notice no frequency clipping or distortion whatsoever. If you are new to Trance as I was two years ago, or are an underground veteran looking for a new twist, do not hesitate to pick up this CD as well as a new cd-rom drive so that you never have to remove it from your player. It's that good.

Not the Best of the Magik Series
If buying your first Magik CD don't start with this. As usual the mixing is flawless and considering he still does it with turntables it makes it even more amazing and outstanding and, and, and................. but there are better CDs in the series.
Great tracks and love Stringer by Riva, great to hear it before Danni Minogue was involved and it morphed into Who Do You Love. Only downside, I am getting really really sick of Flight 643 cropping up on his albums. My all time fave by this guy and it will take a lot to top it but I really would like to hear something new. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Definitely not Ultra's best.
I'm not gonna bother filling in the details of the disc since everyone else already has.

Disc 1: Not bad, but rather disjointed. None of the songs seem to have any thing in common with each other, which makes the transitions between songs kind of awkward. At that, Vic Latino sure likes to do crossfades as opposed to beat matching, which is rather lazy. Otherwise, the song selection is alright. Too many dumb covers, and I could do without ever having to know that there's a dance version of "Seven Nation Army"(Really, was there even a point in making this song? It's no different from the original in any way except that it's done by someone else! Should have gotten the Adam Freeland remix of the original song instead)

Disc 2: Someone else mentioned it, Ultra tends to blow it on the second disc. I know it's for a different crowd, but god it's boring. The first two tracks(Seal and Martin Solvieg) are alright, but the tracks generally are just so dull that I stop even listening and the next thing I know the CD's over. What really gets me is that iio's "Smooth" is on this, a song that I really like, but even it could not awake me from the dull slumber this disc was putting me in. Now I know this is the type of disc they play in the house sections of clubs to keep everyone dancing, and I can definitely see myself just dancing to this disc without paying attention, but as something to listen to in the car... no. I pretty much stopped listening around track 5, forgot there was music even playing, and then the last track came on, which was pretty good.

All in all, could have been a lot better. I wouldn't use Latino or Waxman again on a compilation.

Decent At Best
Ultra.Dance 05 is a below-par two-disc album. At best, it's worthy of listening to in the car or at work. I specifically rate is as "decent" since these compilation albums are never "great" and it does have a tiny few fairly good songs. Also, the majority of tracks on this album certainly do not qualify as "club dance". They're much too popish for that in most instances, or techno-trance in others. The first two tracks on disc one, "Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)" and "Take Me To The Clouds Above", are perfect examples of the former.

"Trick Me" is a track that I absolutely cannot stand. The same goes for "Stand Back", a hideously bad cover of Stevie Nicks' hit song. The artists on this album each have their place in music, but none of them, with the exception of Sarah McLachlan, deserve to even stand in the same room with Stevie Nicks. None of them should even be attempting to redo her songs, especially the girl on this particular track who doesn't seem to have any particularly noteworthy singing talent to begin with. By contrast, "California Dreamin'" by Royal Gigolos selectively samples the 70's classic by the same name instead of trying to redo it, and the result works well.

"Seven Nation Army" by Punk Division has received pretty good radio play in the genre. Most readers will probably already be familiar with it though you may have to hear it to recognize it.

"Never Be Alone" by Lucas Prata is about as popish as you can get (with a little techno thrown in), but it works and is a really great song. Ditto for "Love Comes Again".

"Fallen" by Sarah McLachlan is the first single from her Afterglow album and the only 5-star song on this compilation. If you don't have this single or the Afterglow album, buying this compilation is almost worth it for this single song with the few other half-decent tunes as bonus material.

"Fallen" flows well into by the trance tune "Satellite" by OceanLab which is easy to get lost in and reminiscent of tunes by Ian Van Dahl or Lasgo.

Seal reaffirms his flash-in-the-pan status with the quite forgettable (if it was so obnoxious) "Waiting For You" which starts out disc two.

The majority of the other tracks are mediocre at best, but are not a total loss.

More like Ultra Ripoff
I have all 5 volumes and this is the only one I don't like. The selection of music is just plain bad. There are a few songs that are OK but most are just dull, dull, dull. I recommend going with one of the first 4 volumes instead.

Best dance comp out right now
This is one of my favorite dance CDs out right now, along with mr.deviant's "Techno Obsession". Vol 5 in this series is the best, it contains more mainstream tracks, Seal for example, than in previous volumes. Plus, the overall vibe is harder, which is a good thing. 2 discs full of killer dance music, what more can you ask for?

My First Ultra Dance
My first Ultra Dance CD, I got to listen to some of it in B&N since it was a new release and liked a lot of what I heard.

I bought it, brought it home and listened to it a few times, most definitely prefer the 1st disk to the 2nd, but there are a couple on the 2nd that I do enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I've heard better from Louie
New York City DJ, Louie Devito, has released plenty of good mixed albums.A lot of them are good material.Unfortunately, this CD's not one of them.Louie's put plenty effort into many of his other albums and not this one.Why hasn't he?This is why I believe his "NYC Underground Party" series is taking a slide.Volume six made me worry about this pattern forming.Louie Devito's a much better DJ than this.I expected better from him. The CD contains 14 tracks.There's no intro or megamix like in many of his other albums.There's also a bonus DVD inside, "A Day In the Life Of Louie Devito." There are some tracks on this CD that have poor quality.Tracks like Abel Ramos' "Aquarius" turned out to be painful the first time listening to the whole way through.The first half of the track is okay.But the second half is irritating.That one note composition going "bung bung bung... bung!" throughout most of the second half made me feel like there was a self-destruct sequence going on inside my head.I was getting ready to throw some hard object across the room before it ended!Danny C's "Razorblade" is a superficial borefest.After reading the track title, I thought "Razorblade" was going to be awesome.The beginning of the track seemed promising.Unfortunately, it got repetitive a minute through the track.Angel City's "Do You Know (I Go Crazy)" is poor work.It's a rip-off of Robert Miles' "Children."It's bad enough that Angel City ripped off "Oh Sheila" to make "Love Me Right.""Do You Know (I Go Crazy)" is just as unoriginal.Adding vocals to the song doesn't help.Couldn't they've been more creative? There are other tracks on here that aren't as bad as the ones I've already mentioned.They're okay.But they're still not as fun to listen to.Marco V's "C:\Del*.MP3" is okay.But it gets kind of dull."Producelast" by Trancescape is kind of better.But its still a blunt track.I've also got tired of Plummet's "Cherish the Day."I used to enjoy "Cherish the Day" mostly for its beats.I've lot interest in this tune after a few months went by.It was nice while it was fresh. As for good tracks in this mix, there's "Silence 2004" by Delerium with the vocals of Sarah McLachlin.Even though the version from 2000 is more dominant, this is still an excellent track.Not much has changed from the 2000 version.All the vocals from the earlier "Silence" are this version as well.There's also Tiesto's "Traffic."This song's like coffee.It keeps me going.My favorite part's the staticky radio reception sounds near the end of the track.I also like Paul Van Dyk's "That's Life."It sounds sort of like a country song (just like his "Time Of Our Lives" single).Paul still uses the same beats in "That's Life" as well as in his other songs.I still like it.Paul Van Dyk never fails to impress me. Other songs include "Sky" by Modulation, Randy Katana's "One Solid Wave," Kane's "Rain Down On Me," Maaya's "Velvet Rain," and Blank & Jones' "Perfect Silence" (which is the last track the mix and ends in a fade-out). I still like Louie Devito's material a lot.But there are still things from his work that get me to worry.Volume seven of "NYC Underground Party" is going to be released this autumn.I'll be looking in to that.But my hopes aren't high.I fear this path this series is taking will continue downward.I know Louie can do better and I hope he does.I don't want anymore of his work to turn out like this.I'm afraid of what might happen if that keeps up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A truly expansive collection of cuts, this companion to Northern Exposure 2: West Coast Edition is one for all ears that sees Sasha and Digweed juxtapose dance-pop tunes with club-land mixes. Converts to the Northern Exposure series will further enjoy the skillful Sasha and Digweed mixes washed (as ever) with layers of smooth late-night warmth; newcomers will find a variety of styles and sounds stretching beyond conventional trance-techno to whet their appetite. Gus Gus enjoy two wonderful moments, opening the disc with their dreamy, trip-hop-flavored "Believe" and also offering the penultimate cut with their celestial, bottom-end-boosted "Purple." Other standout moments include Prana's "Geomantik" and Doi-Oing's warm and hazy "Blue." Occasionally the shadow of hip-hop can be heard snaking into the mix, but never enough to take away from the predominant trance atmosphere, which makes Northern Exposure sets so unique. --Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (67)

More than just music.....
I'll start off by saying that this is one of my favorite albums trance/house albums of all time. Sasha and Digweed's works, both individually and collectively, make up most of my favorite mix cd's, with the entire Northern Exposure series heading the list. But this one cd is a standout among the rest.

It is a definite chillout album, not like the bangin trance sets that are usually associated with the genre. But it definetly is tranceful in the feeling that it evokes. Smooth, cool melodies, light rhythms, and most of all superb mixing, define are what make it so great. I could give you a list of a few tracks which I think standout, but that might just ruin the experience for you. As others have said, it is a cd that should be listened to all the way through, so as to get the full effect of the "jouney".

Others have also said that the vocals on here ruin the album, but I don't think so. Some of them are a bit cheesey, but they are short, and don't necessarily detract from the product. but other vocals on the cd are crucial to the emotional quality of the music, and it wouldn't be as good without them. not because of the meaning of the words, but for the sound of the textured voice.

In conlusion, if you ever want a sober alternative to E, or are a dj looking for inspiration, check out his album. It's more than just music.....it's a feeling......

Soothe Yourself You Phurry Phreak
This mix is probably my all time favorite in electronic music. The sounds are so inovative and mood-setting that its almost surreal. If your looking for a good trance\breakbeat (its pretty-much both) cd to start out with then this is definetly it. If you're not new to the electro-music scene and you haven't heard this CD then you is definetly missin' out brother. The tracks flow together like butter and will have you sentimentally hooked in no time. The sound isn't anything like that cheesy sub-genre (Euro-Trance). It is a down tempo, harmonic blend from two world-famous DJ's that includes tracks from awesome producers\groups like Fluke, Hybrid, Gus Gus, and Chicane. The music in this mix is good anywhere - at work, in the car, by yourself or makin love with your honey. For me, listening to this CD brings back good memories like chillin out, having sex for the first time, XTC, or going to the beach for Spring Break. It is definetly worth the money and time to check out this CD. 5 STARS = LOTSA LOVE.

You absolutely must hear this CD.
I love this type of music anyway, I will tell you that first off. This CD is somewhat different though; it is different because quality music comes out of every song not just a couple. Sasha and John Digweed have teamed up again to create something that you must hear to believe. Speaking of believing the first song "Believe" is comforting and relaxing due to the easy flowing melody and the vocal. By the third song "Violet vs Mantronik the CD picks up the pace which leads into a couple of the best dance songs I have ever heard because of their fast sounds and funky beats. The rest of the songs play out much like the first ones; beautifully. The entire CD is a true testiment to Sasha and John Digweed's talent to create wonderful music that will make you move. You have to check this CD out!

You are doing yourself a disservice not to own this CD
Honestly, this is the CD that got me into the electronic music scene. I first head Paul Oakenfold's remix of Purple (Sasha vs. the light) and loved the song so much, I traced it back to Northern Exposure, and obviously from there, Gus Gus. At this point I listened to almost no electronic music. After listening to this CD, my musical life was literally changed forever. I have read so many reviews of people saying that "this album, ____________ flows from start to finish" and I have always been dissapointed because they could not compare to the fluidity of this album. I first heard this album 5 years ago and I am only now going back to review it, as it was an ispiration for my musical tastes of today. 5 Stars...In my top 3 of all time...which says a lot. (The other northern exposure CD's do not compare to this one fyi...they are ok, but this is the premire cd)

Still the best
This was my introduction to Sasha and Digweed back in the fall of 1997. It blew my mind on the very first listen - I still remember the night I first listened to it and the feelings that it inspired - And cannot say such for any other mix that I've owned or heard.

Flash-forward to 2004, I still consider it (disc 1 -aka- eastcoast) to be the best mix I have ever heard; and have heard nothing like it since. I've recommended it to most everyone I know who has the capability of appreciating it (having some interest in electronic music), and have been thanked by many times by many people for passing the good word along.

Technically speaking, not only is it difficult to determine where its seamless mixing begins and ends, the mixes are so deep and track selection/progression such that the individual tracks do not sound or feel the same when played alone (I have since hunted for and collected several of these records). It's combination of breakbeat textures and ambient lulls remains WAY ahead of its time.

This is music for dreams. Contemplative, mood altering, deep, achingly beautiful and ultimately, uplifting. Not a collection of dance tunes so much as a collection of spiritually resonating 'moments' set in music. Yet it is too difficult to relate a musical experience in words alone - you really must give it a listen for yourself. ... Read more