Sam McCarthy | New Haven, CT United States | 12/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I would have to argue that this is the finest example of trance that I have ever heard. Every aspect of San Francisco exemplifies what trance is about and what it means to us listeners. The break-downs are deliberate yet timed perfectly; the emotioinal climaxes hit you like an adrenaline rush; and the mixing is absolutely perfect. CD1 takes a few tracks to get going, but once it does, you will not be sorry you bought it. Tracks from Breeder, an artist who only makes records for Sasha and Digweed, and a fine remix of Albion's "Air" are all emotional highs for the listener. But the good thing about CD1 is that it is really a progressive-house warm-up for the second, trancier CD2.I honestly would have paid the full amount for this GU, and more money, for the second CD. I am biased toward my favorite DJ, Digweed, but I must say that this gives GU: Hong Kong disc 1 a run for its money as my favorite electronica mix. Everything about this CD is perfect, and I mean that sincerely. There is dark trance, there is emotional trance (without those boring anthems everyone seems to love), and there is deep, airy trance. And the mixing, oh the mixing! Although my first love is Digweed, I must concede that Sasha is the best DJ in the world right now in terms of mixing. It is perfect, to say the least. The best thing about this CD is that it does not show age easily. Some of the older GU's like Oslo and Prague don't get much play time on my CD player because they seem like antiquated electronica now. But this CD always seems to capture the cuttting edge of trance, whether it was a year ago with Dave Ralph's new style of gritty trance or now with Seaman's and Warren's futuristic styles of trance. I know that this review seems a little excited and too laudatory, but I mean every word in this review. Don't miss this one. I beg you!!"
The man like...
RustyXI@aol.com | Winton, California United States | 04/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I, too, first began my Sasha GU experience with the second disk of Ibiza; how can you resist a compilation with a BT acetate. I was amazed all the way through. Eventually, I meandored over to disk 1 and learned the true meaning of "progressive" (with his cool slow burning sexy style of 'Deep Progress', 'The Deep Edge', and Humate's mix of 'Feel so High') quickly gaining strength until 'My lexicon, Move!, and his 3 minute + creation that is the mix between Stage One (actually Two), and Sacred. I remember hearing this for the first time, and literally feeling changed. Then I discovered the San Francisco sets, which until I really gave a full ear to, I never really understood its potence. Like Ibiza, Disk 2 was attention getter to the sf sets, cleverly starting with the Narcotik cut, ("be aware of every sound..") Blue gives way to Hale Bopp, one of the most glittery and deep progressive trance cuts which will drop you in an emotional mindscape if you let. This beautifully melts into Oliver Lieb's mix of hope... this pattern continues through the rest of the disk and by the time 'Moving thru your System' is half way given up to 'The Mission', you realize the man who mixed this is a genius. Disk 1, took some time for me to grasp completely, but I now believe that this is the most amazing hour of continuously mixed electronic music to ever be recorded, period. Freaky Chakra's 'Platform' is an quirky offbeat, but extremely well produced track, and perfect to start off a set defining what it feels like, from Sasha's point of view, to be an SF clubber. Other great tracks, Van Bellen's mix of 'Protect your Mind', the impossible to find anywhere else 'Resurrection' by Classified Project, and Slickmick's "my body is bouncing everywhere" 'Lecture'. The mix of 'Blue stream, Empress II, and the Incisions mix of 'Bulgarian' is especially amazing in that Empress II never plays by itself. The overlapping of the kick drums of Empress II and Bulgarian gives a rush that you will feel anywhere; home, backyard, car, anywhere.. The last section of Bulgarian is an actual production created by Sasha himself, where the Housey-ness explodes into a deep barren wasteland of watery distorted chants, deep dark synth, and a bassline giving a futuristic groove impossible to experience elsewhere. The next 2 tracks are mixed to lead one to believe the male and female vocal of each respective track are arguing with each other, trying to place the blame for who destroyed the world around them. The next song 'Im Free' is the rebuilt world, a little different then before, almost crazy with screaming vocals and the craziest (yet it brings a smile to my face) bridge of a song ever. The next mix into 'Anomaly' is purposely off key (nevertheless goes perfectly with each other) to ensure the 'Uh-Oh, its next' effect. At the time, this song was unreleased and had everyone crying for the beautiful synths and to die for vocal. But like I said, What else can you expect from BT but the best. Anything by Sasha, whether it is a dj mix album, or original work is worth hearing over and over. This is the all time no exception."
Sasha is God!
Leo Belchetz | Liverpool, UK | 01/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'll tell you straight off, this is probably my favourite CD of all time! Although now over a year old, this CD still sounds as fresh and exciting as the day I bought it. Virtually every tune on this album was unheard of before its release, but each one has slowly become a classic over the last year or so. Sasha not only displays his awe-inspiring mixing talents but also sets a precedent by which all mix compilations should be judged. He shows that a great track needn't be an obvious one and this way of thinking has really pioneered the deep trance sound which is going to dominate the next 12 months. The highlight for me has to be the track 'Hale Bopp' by Der Dritte Raum, closely followed by the mind-blowing mix into Stoneproof's 'Everything's Not You'. If you enjoy this, check out all other Global Underground compilations. They really are the world's greatest series of mix CDs. Other DJs to look out for include John Digweed, Lee Burridge and Danny Howells."
Pace-building trance at its finest
Mark Lippert | SRQ via the ATL | 12/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I will tell you this: if you have any patience and are willing to LISTEN to these CDs, then you can fully appreciate what Sasha is doing here. I've had this for a while and I've listened to many other mixes -- the only recent comparable mixes are Sasha's GU in Ibiza, Northern Exposure - East Coast, Funkydesertbreaks2, and Deeper Shades of Hooj 2 (CD2). I know everyone has their own tastes but I know this CD can appeal to anyone with an open mind. This CD is not for candy-ravers, ate-up POS because every track is not crushing your skull. Both of these CDs take you on an incredible sonic journey climaxing with Breeder's "The Chain" on CD2. An all around great CD for home, car, or party with your enlightened friends....have fun!"
They call him Son of God...
Mark Lippert | 10/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It should be mandatory that any DJ offering a mixed compilation should programme the tracks as would be expected in a club. That is, building the vibe so that those on the dancefloor can enjoy the peaks and troughs. This is something at which Sasha excels.Sasha is a DJ who inspires people. Having seen him a number of times he's the one DJ who (trite as it sounds) truly brings people on a journey with his programming and mixing.Sasha has the ability to mesmerise you with the simplest tune one moment and fire you into a frenzy when you become aware that the low, slow bassline that's been growing deep down in the mix is taking you up a level.As with the best progressive dance music, you're going to know - instinctively - that the musical progression you anticipate is exactly how it's going to happen. For most, that's what makes dance music formulaic, repetitive and soulless. For those who have an appreciation of a DJ with that talent, it's inspired.Just listen to the interaction of Joi Cardwell's 'Soul to Bare' with Stoneproof's 'Everything's Not You' if you need proof. Alongside Tilt's 'I Dream' (surely one of the greatest progressive trance tracks ever) and the dark urgency of the two Breeder tracks, Sasha's mix is going to take you to places you thought only existed with chemically enhanced perception.This mix has been in my car for over a year and is the soundtrack to great memories. Driving to the West of Ireland in glorious sunshine with a gang of friends, parties at home or even driving on a grey Monday morning to a job you hate.Sasha won't bang out the trance anthems, he won't filter the hell out of a track but he will take his time to promote an idea and then lift the roof off when he does drop one of his trademark BIG tunes.If you like trance, house, Northern Exposure and the idea of a hybrid between UK and US dancefloors, then you'll probably find something here that will have you coming back for more."