One of a kind!!!!!!!!!!!
electronic lover | springfield,ill | 11/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not normally the type to write reviews on compilations, as a matter of fact, this will be my first and my last. I'd much rather spend the bulk of my time listening to electronic music rather than writing about it. Well, welcome to the day I write about it. It has been almost four long years since this set was released and the face of electronic has changed, oh, about, 400 times in those four years. However, the one element of electronic music that has remained steadfast is the fact that the artists all have the same purpose, to move their listeners. I'm not going to break this compilation down track by track, or do any of that useless nonsense, all you have to do is listen to it to know that every single record that is played will completely, and unapologetically, wear you out. I'm a devout fan of Sasha and Digger, but by no means do I proclaim that everything they put their stamp of approval on turns to gold. This music means too much to me to insult it in such a manner. As a matter of fact, I think the sum of both of the duo's latest works, although incredibly inventive, seems to be less interesting to me than their earlier material.
However, all of that being said, as long over due as it is, this compilation changed the landscape of this music forever. If you were fortunate enough to have been listening to house music when this was released, you know that this is the compilation that made all other dj's and producers run and hide while these globetrotting jocks sat in the corner with their unassuming smiles and overwhelming confidence. They knew, just as everyone else knew that this was one for the ages. From the intracacies of Sasha's mind-numbing soundscapes and groovealicious melodies, to the darker, driving forces that evolve in Digweed's turn on the decks, this mix paints a more accurate portrait of what house music was at that individual point in time than any mix will ever paint. Don't get me wrong, some of the best paint is reserved for these two artists, but they start with the same white canvas that everyone else starts with. I guess what I'm trying to get across is, "If you are not a electronic music junkie, but want to go out and buy one dj compilation, please for the love of all things good in life, go get this one, it just may make you a fan, and that is what all of us junkies want.""
A must have
John Feider | 10/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"CD1: 5 stars
The first CD is smooth and sexy and the transitions are flawless. It is one of the most memorial mixes for me because of the pure brilliance of how everything is put together and the ease at which it flows. By the time the CD is over, you find yourself waking up from a daze or a dream and then it's time to hit the repeat button to experience it all over again! Trust me, this mix sounds boring and monotonous at first, but after a several listenings it comes alive and grabs your attention. I couldn't recommend a better mix.
CD2: 3 stars
For some reason this mix hasn't spoken to me yet. I'm not sure what happened in the creation process of this set, but the magic isn't there compared to CD1.
Overall Impression: 4.5 stars (weighted average since CD1 is so awesome)
Don't pass this gem by. This is a must have classic."
A lukewarm cheese-grater which assigns the ears the role of
LexAffection | Philadelphia, PA USA | 12/27/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this album based purely on the collaborative duo who, together, have produced some of my all-time favorite records in this genre. What I got in return was something completely unexpected, for better or for worse.
Let's begin with the bad, because no one really WANTS to negatively critique an album produced by two artists whom they love, do they? This album, taken as a whole, is a mishmash of various industrial, grinding, wholly alienesque and synthetic noises. Now, what trance music DOES NOT fit this description, the prospective buyer might ask? Plenty, in this case. The variation of noise is wide, and this is a positive because it gives the album an interesting inconsistency, but this inconsistency leads to confusion when trying to "communicate" with the album's musical message.
Many of the tracks are, for the infamous duo, unusually repetative both in time signature, loops and song structure. The occasional 'clank', 'grind' or 'zap' is thrown in, and for good measure, but these attempts at sounding different lead the listener astray towards confusion and ultimately disinterest. Dont even get me started ranting on how Mainline's "Narcotic" left me with thoughts of sawing off my ears.
The positives ARE there, though. For the most part, the track selection is very diverse and intersting. Many of the artists are artists whom I find are rarely featured on albums of this nature, and the intensity of the 4/4 kick would be absolutely sublime for an industrial warehouse party, dirty and grimey, somewhere in the slums of New York. This is NOT a bad thing; it proves that music can be completely capable of synergizing with a particular physical setting and mood, and this album definitely lends itself to an overcrowdedly dirty, sweaty, midnight 'til 6 A.M. dance party.
On the whole, I find myself returning to this album mostly out of guilt; guilt stemming from the fact that, due to the fact that I have so many other albums more "worthy" of being spun in my collection that I rarely find time and patience to force myself into the kind of groove put forth here by these world-class DJ's.
If you're an absolute die-hard fan of Sasha and Digweed's work, listen to it before buying it.
If you're into something avante-guard and headed in an entirely different direction from most other progressive trance acts out there at the moment, coupled with a taste for gritty industrial noise intrusion, this album will become audible sex for you.
Three stars because it is not up to par with the majority of quality dance music, but its uniqueness and oddly progressive nature lend many a positive attribute to this double disc endeavor.
~Lex"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
