Sasha (Sex Secret) [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

1. Sasha (Sex Secret)

2. Sasha (Sex Secret) Moguai Mix

3. Wolken Ziehen Vorbei Pet Remix

4. Sasha ( I Don't Want To Stop)

5. Sasha (Sex Secret) Live In Bremen

6. Sasha (Sex Secret) Video

7. Cookies Cream ( Hier Ist Der Sommer) Live Video

Sasha (Sex Secret),2raumwohnung,Moguai,Bmg Int'l,Dance Music,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: BREATHTAKING! Fantastic album Special Stuff Raves for 'Sasha and Shawna' A pleasure

Siren Sasha & Shawna Manufacturer: Manhattan Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: From My Heart Ryland Angel Heavenly Voices We Are One Celtic Treasure ASIN: B000MRA74U Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

1. Fade Out
2. Per Te/ For You
3. I Know It's Real
4. Dust In The Wind
5. Stabat Mater IXXI
6. Sleepsong
7. Una Furtiva Lagrima
8. Tiem ("Air on the G String")
9. Field of Gold
10. O Del Mio Dolce Ardor
11. One Simple Wish
12. Close Your Eyes

Album Description

This alluring soprano duo blends the hypnotic voices of Sasha Lazard, whose exquisite voice is rooted in the classical-electronica scene, and Shawna Stone, whose luscious voice has graced international opera houses. Executive produced by Grammy® Award-winner Peter Asher, this duo have found a fresh, original approach to interpreting contemporary songs ranging from James Taylor ("Close Your Eyes") to Radiohead ("Fade out") to John Denver ("Per Te"/ "For You") to Kansas ("Dust in the Wind").

There are also such gorgeous operatic arias as Donizetti's "Una Furtiva Lagrima," an adaptation of Bach's "Air on the G String" and "Stabat Mater [XX]," a revisitation of the 18th century Italian composer Pergolesi.

Customer Reviews:

BREATHTAKING!.......2007-06-27

Some buyers might dismiss this duo as a female Il Divo, but this album proves that they can sing anything - with incredible range, depth and feeling. Their voices are crystal clear and beautiful. Their mix of songs range from "O Del Mio Dolce Ardor" to "Dust in the Wind," and from the lullaby rocking rhythm of "Sleepsong" to the rhythmic pulses of "Stabat Mater."

Among my other favorites: "Una Furtiva Lagrima," "Tiem" (to the tune of Bach's "Air on a G String"), and "Fields of Gold."

Excellent CD - and highly recommended.

Fantastic album.......2007-05-12

Siren has become my new addiction, I have to listen to it at least once every day. Sasha and Shawna are not only beautiful women but have incredible voices that blend perfectly. I'm giving it to all my friends.

Special Stuff.......2007-04-13

This recording is so beautiful. The two voices are exquisite, and the musical selections are varied and balanced, with beautiful arrangements and orchestrations. Sasha and Shawna have mastered a wide range of styles from opera to pop, creating a unique sound that is both sublime and sexy.

Raves for 'Sasha and Shawna'.......2007-04-12

This CD is terrific. These ladies are GREAT together. Out of the 12 tracks, I just love 9 of them and the other 3 aren't bad either!! I can't wait 'til their next CD comes out. I would also like to see them LIVE in concert. Hope they come to Omaha!!!!

A pleasure .......2007-04-06

This two voices are very enjoyable.Starting with "Fade out" that has violins enchanting touch.My favorite song is "fields of gold" that it transports me to other place.Sasha lazard is amazing.I love the two voices when one is singing the other is vocalizing. or when both are vocalizing.
"Per te/for you", I'm speeechless.
"una furtiva lagrima" very nice,They had to show her operatic voices.
"I know it's real" It's going to be my wedding song.
To sum up, this Cd worth every penny.
In contrast, the song "Stabat matter" doesn't fit in the cd concept to me. This belong to "Myth of Red" by Sasha Lazard first solo cd ;that is a conceptual cd based in a myth of some godess .So, you have to buy "The Myth of Red" and 'moonfall" if you lke "Siren"

Average customer rating: Sasha Dobson Distinctive grooves. Is it jazz? Wonderful listening gorgeous and stunning debut from a honey-voiced chanteuse

Modern Romance Sasha Dobson Manufacturer: Secret Sun ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Half the Perfect World The Darkling Thrush Mythologies From This Moment On Turned to Blue ASIN: B000GW8PYU Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

1. Without You
2. Modern Romance
3. Been Here Before
4. Cold To Colder
5. Four Leaf Clover
6. Crescent
7. If Not For Dreams
8. Follow Through
9. Spring Is Just Around The Corner
10. Young And Free
11. End Of Autumn
12. I Never Changed My Mind
13. Mood Indigo

Customer Reviews:

Sasha Dobson.......2007-03-28

First rate album ! ! man,this gal can sing - - - and with a style that's all her own.

Distinctive grooves........2007-03-07

The daughter of notable jazz musicians -- pianist Smith Dobson and singer Gail Dobson -- Sasha Dobson has the genes and a strong musical foundation to make powerful, uplifting music.

She carries on in the jazz tradition of past greats like Ella Fitzgerald, with a sultry voice and extensive performance experience, but she remains an unconventional performer. Now 26, Dobson has been performing professionally since she was 16, in the process crafting a unique fusion of Brazilian and American jazz.
With 10 years of professional experience under her belt -- she's long performed with the Dobson Family Band and the Chris Byars Octet -- Dobson likely has amazing success ahead of her.
"Modern Romance", Dobson's new album, is a fine collection of originals and genre-bending covers of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Modern Romance" and Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo".
Like many young jazz singers nowadays, Sasha is trying for a mellow pop-jazz groove à la Norah Jones.
Her plangent, almost vibrato-free voice rides over a mélange of island rhythms, bossa nova and folky acoustics, mostly in new songs she has co-written. They go down as easily as frozen margaritas, never more beguilingly than when she slips in scat syllables like "dit-doo, die-yah-da-doo" in 'Four Leaf Clover', or simply "ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh" in 'Cold to Colder'.
Listen to this very nice album and enjoy.

Is it jazz?.......2007-01-09

I don't know. I thought I had read about this under new jazz releases, but I'm not sure I'd categorize it as jazz. I'm really not sure what category it falls under. But it is a very pleasant experience listening to this young woman sing and the very nice production of this album. All of the songs sound very similar; obviously the same producer had his fingers in each track and had a particular "feel" that he was going for. But it works, and I highly recommend it.

Wonderful listening.......2006-11-10

What a discovery! If you love good jazz perfectly performed, you'll enjoy Dobson.

gorgeous and stunning debut from a honey-voiced chanteuse.......2006-09-11

I've had the aural pleasure of hearing The Sasha Dobson Band live with my own two ears...and I own the "Modern Romance" CD as well. I can honestly say that this group of musicians knows how to shake it and bake it...the ingredients are seemingly failproof...one honey voiced chanteuse who can emote beautifully and a troupe of musicians at the top of their game with songwriters extraordinaire among them seems to be a great recipe for success...this CD should go far. It's got such groove and vibe to it...the songwriting is intense and brilliant...and Sasha's voice one of the loveliest things imaginable...treat yourself to the experience and grab this one while it's hot, and it is hot (it's steaming, baby, and so mellow at the same time)...

Average customer rating: Wonderful Singer Calming beauty A beautiful voice

Infinite Voice Manufacturer: Time Art ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Feast of Joy and Love Heavenly Peace ASIN: B000KEGFYQ Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

1. sous le dome epais
2. pavene
3. canto invierno
4. pastorale
5. casta diva from norma
6. enchantment
7. song of my soul
8. infinite voice
9. saint agnes and the burning train
10. gabriel's oboe-nella fantasia from the mission
11. sheep may safely graze
12. sous le dome epais from lakme

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Singer.......2007-07-21

Surely Darlene Koldenhoven has one of the most beautiful female voices in the world. The song selections, the accompanying music and the quality of recording are supurb.

Calming beauty.......2007-05-28

Infinite Voice is one of my favorite albums to pop into the player after a long and difficult day at work. Its soothing lightly classical pieces with Koldenhoven's angelic vocals do much to sooth an agitated spirit and sing peace to the soul. Wonderful Darlene! We need more like this.

A beautiful voice.......2007-04-23

A classically trained vocalist with a Master's Degree in music from the Chicago Conservatory College, the golden voiced Darlene Koldenhoven has participated in a number of high profile pop culture products. In the 1980's she appeared on jazz composer Clare Fisher's Brazilian jazz vocal project, Freefall, which was awarded a Grammy in 1986 for Best Jazz Vocal Performance by a Group. In the 90's she appeared in and served as choir director for both Sister Act films, and in 1994 sung with Yanni Live at the Acropolis, a concert film reportedly seen by nearly 500 million people worldwide. She has also sung on recordings with Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, David Byrne, and Ramsey Lewis, among others, and has authored a set of musical instruction books and CDs entitled Train Your Voice.

In the late 90's Koldenhoven began writing and producing her own solo recordings, including the adult contemporary Keys to the World, a gospel album called Free to Serve, and the Christmas album Heavenly Peace. This year she's back with an all new recording, entitled Infinite Voice, a collection of classically inspired compositions and new age arrangements of classics. Ms Koldenhoven's 5-ocatve voice is the only one featured on this recording, in some places layered to give a choral effect. Most of the instrumentation is synthetic, though several songs include acoustic instrumental performances from guitar, English Horn, oboe, flue, didgeridoo, and percussion.

Infinite Voice is a delicate and beautiful recording that will appeal to fans of light classical vocals from the voices of equally talented singers such as Filippa Giordano, Hayley Westerna, or Sissel.

Average customer rating: Electronic music done right. Trance In Your Pants! the truth....I don't know what these guys are on when they Groundbreaking CD!!!! Bon Voyagè

Airdrawndagger Sasha Manufacturer: Kinetic Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Xpander Involver Fundacion NYC Northern Exposure : Expeditions Northern Exposure II: East Coast ASIN: B00006BXG5 Release Date: 2002-08-06

Tracks:

1. Drempels
2. Mr Tiddles
3. Magnetic North
4. Cloud Cuckoo
5. Immortal
6. Fundamental
7. Boileroom
8. Bloodlock
9. Requiem
10. Golden Arm
11. Wavy Gravy

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Electronic music done right........2007-07-16

One of my favorite electronic music released of any period. Too often modern electronic music is forced to match tempo and bass drum patterns with standard club music so that music flows from track to track without interruption. Airdrawndagger doesn't bother. It takes you on a journey that sometimes groves and sometimes floats. This is music to listen to. It gets a lot of play when I am riding bicycle or crunching numbers at work. Though I like the CD from end to end Cloud Cuckoo, Immortal and Fundamental are on my iTunes frequent play list.

Trance In Your Pants!.......2007-03-06

I've been a big fan of Sasha and Digweed for quite some time. I wasn't sure, when I grabbed this record, if I was in for the usual treat. There is something about the balance in the two -- Digweed's subterranean rhythms versus Sasha's atmospheric ambience -- that creates a perfectly grounded balance, a sort of quaking typhoon of sound. Is this an example of two good things that go better together, or is there, as they say, a "better half?"

Well, I wouldn't go that far. I even knew, before I dismissed the advertisements calling this a "dance" album, that I was in store for some uncut trance, the musical equivalent of fog rolling in from the shore, or stars steadily appearing in the gathering darkness of dusk. Don't be fooled by brightly colored stickers calling this a house album; Sasha wants you to sit back and relax.

That's not to say he doesn't also want you tapping your fingers or nodding your head. Much of the CD treads lightly through angelic daydreams ("Wavy Gravy"), opulent melancholia ("Mr. Tiddles"), and incorrigibly beautiful fugues ("Magnetic North," which passes the hat to the livelier but equally dreamy "Cloud Cuckoo"), but these are just the bows and ribbons on the heart of the album: a dark and turbid core of deep, deep house.

"Immortal," "Fundamental," and "Boileroom" are the blazing hub of this record, a triad of mechanically and earthily raunchy four-on-the-floor itchiness. Sasha shows us the dark side of his skill in these pieces, sonic tapestries that could easily be the soundtrack to a crashing rocketship, a factory strike, an android orgy. Whatever you want to call them, they're deliciously harsh and heavy. Maybe not dance worthy per se, but nitty, gritty, nervy and wicked.

Sasha manages to pull out of this tantalizing tail spin with some skillful twists and turns; "Bloodlock" is an artful mix of the dark and the light, a booming, gusting, bell-drenched bloom. His course heading wants serious correction at one point -- "Requiem" starts out fine but devolves into a bewildering mish-mosh of off-tune bloops and bleeps, something that sounds like a small child poking randomly at a circa-1980 Casio keyboard (a problem also mirrored in splinters by "Drempels," the intro piece) -- but this is, literally, a two minute snag in an otherwise wholly entrancing trip that's over one wonderful hour long.

the truth....I don't know what these guys are on when they .......2007-01-20

listen to this music...garbage...I don't know what Sasha was on when he mixed this...

Involver more sleek and sexy...

Groundbreaking CD!!!!.......2007-01-18

Sasha is the master and if you haven't gone to see him play live then you haven't gone to see the Grand Master of Mixing! Giant 2007 he played so so so so so good and brought the night to a heartpounding finish, definitely one of the best DJ's in the Universe! This CD brings you through almost a dream like state, used to play video games to it because it make you concentrate and sucks you into the beats. If you don't have this CD then you need to get it now!

Bon Voyagè.......2006-09-30

For some people, electronic music is nothing but a set of repetitive beats and uncreative sounds (perhaps those people are staying too long in the techno section?). Superstar DJ Sasha tackles those issues with this flabbergasting compilation that differs from most things we've grown accustomed to - It's avant-garde material made to show the world what trance should be. From the playful "Mr. Tiddles" to the masterful "Wavy Gravy", all songs make sense as a whole and give substance to the concept, making it a classic.

Average customer rating: Postmodern Opera myth of Red good buy myth of red Really Interesting Album

Myth of Red Sasha Lazard Manufacturer: Higher Octave ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Etterna Summer Operatica: Shine O: Operatica, Vol. 1 Siren ASIN: B0000640NU Release Date: 2002-05-07

Tracks:

1. Stabat Mater IXXI
2. Awakening
3. Ode To Innocence
4. Tell Me Why
5. The Incubus (Le Revenant)
6. Forbidden Dance (L'Amour Fou)
7. Romance
8. Temptation
9. Battle Of Erishkigal
10. Angeli
11. Princess Mononoke Theme Song (Mononoke Hime)
12. Stabat Reprise
13. Awakening (Delerium Remix)

Amazon.com

In the never-ending move to cross novel musical idioms, The Myth of Red has an air of inevitability about it. An ambitious fusion of opera arias, Russian folk tunes, and art songs with beat-driven electronic soundscapes, the album largely succeeds in bridging incongruous musical worlds. A gifted classically trained vocalist, fetching soprano Sasha Lazard lends her talents to 13 tracks inspired by or based on Rachmaninoff, Verdi, Saint-Saëns, "Ave Maria," and "The Incubus" by the notorious poet Charles Baudelaire. Nimbly aided by the production, programming, and keyboards of Frank Fitzpatrick and David Tobocman, the lovely violin of Lili Hayden, and production ringers DJ Spooky and Delerium, Lazard delivers a smooth, classy, and fairly sedate collection that will appeal more to adventurous classical and world-music fans than hard-core electronic aficionados. The Myth of Red succeeds most when it picks up the pace on tracks like "Forbidden Dance," "Awakening," and the slyly funky "Temptation." Not surprisingly, two of the best tracks are DJ Spooky's galloping "Battle of Erishkigal" and a remix of "Awakening" by the incomparable Delerium, an act whose depth of feeling and mystery Lazard and her crew seem to strive for but don't quite achieve. Fusing several centuries of music is no small task, but Sasha Lazard actually makes it seem natural, which is a testament to her talent, training, and choice of company. --Carl Hanni

Customer Reviews:

Postmodern Opera.......2007-04-16

Remember that weirdly wonderful techno-aria sung by the character Plavalaguna in "The Fifth Element"? Well, here's an entire CD of opera/tek grooves like that one. But unlike the blue diva in "Element," Sasha Lazard doesn't need to synthetically enhance her soaring soprano pipes. Here she mixes her classical background with Electronica, overdubs, plus some funky World beats, to a surprisingly successful end. Such hybrid music isn't for everyone: if you don't believe in messing with sainted Old Masters (Rachmaninoff and Rimsky-Korsakov; Ave Maria), steer clear. But if you're open to some audio fun that marries old and new (Princess Mononoke's Theme Song, DJ Spooky), go for it. These tracks are light clean fun guaranteed to evoke smiles at your next cocktail party.

myth of Red .......2007-03-09

What inspired me into purchasing this item is the Avé Maria from Caccini, wonderfuly mastered in such a wonderful way. I absolutely flip over this track. I find this entire cd an absolute blessing and a must have in a collection!

good buy.......2007-01-18

her voice is lovely and the whole cd was a delight to listen to.

myth of red.......2006-08-02

ethereal, energizing, sexy, spiritual . sasha's voice is mesmerizing and the total sound of 'Myth' transplants me and makes me believe even when believing is in distant reach. love it and want more.

Really Interesting Album.......2006-05-03

I have grown to really love this album. This is something very uniqe that is easy to listen to. If you are like me and love exotic music that you can dance to, this is for you. The best part is Sasha's beautiful opera voice.
Looking for something uniqe - try this.

Average customer rating: The Ultimate Late Night Aphrodisiac East Beats West But Still Not Equal To Volume One One of my most revered CDs Amazing Easily on the most impressive of all NE sets

Northern Exposure II: East Coast Sasha & John Digweed Manufacturer: Ultra Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Northern Exposure II: West Coast Northern Exposure : Expeditions Xpander Global Underground 013: Ibiza Communicate ASIN: B000003SFS Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

1. Believe- Gus Gus
2. Soothe (Chicane Mix)- Furry Freaks
3. Burn the Elastic- Violet vs Mantronik
4. Geomantik- Prana
5. Cycles of Time- The Acoustic Hoods
6. Dammerung- Frontisde
7. Blue (Original and LP Mix)- Doi-Oing
8. Little Bullet (Part One)- Spooky
9. Botz- Uberzone
10. Reeferendum- Fluke
11. Distant Voices (Angel Edit)- Lost Tribe
12. Purple- Gus Gus
13. Symphony- Hybrid

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

Customer Reviews:

The Ultimate Late Night Aphrodisiac.......2007-07-07

This mix truly surpasses anything before it and most that have come after it...
It showcases what DJs can do to tunes.. It proves that they can indeed be artists.

Starting off with the gorgeous sounds of Gus Gus and Chicane , (atmospheric, earthy and organic.), to the main room progressive sound of Frontside, Spooky and Uberzone.. (dark, dirty and sexy.) before landing with the most soothing sounds of Hybrid's `Unfinished Symphony"... this mix transcends Genres and Sub-genres and simply delivers a musical journey indescribable by words.

To know that it was recorded from vinyl rather that any computer software adds to the natural feel that has come to define the `Northern Exposure' series..

Is this the best of the series!? Hard to say.. but for pure musicality, originality and midnight magic.. yes.. yes it is.

A beautiful, dark, sensual journey through the underground as only Sasha with the aid of Digweed can deliver.

GET INTO IT!

East Beats West But Still Not Equal To Volume One.......2007-06-06

The set featured on this album originally accompanied that found on Northern Exposure II: West Coast as a two disc offering. Ahhh, strategic marketing.

I'd have to say that this set scores an easy second place for the Northern Exposure series. However it still falls short compared to the quality and creativity of the first.

3.5/5 stars for this half of Northern Exposure, volume 2.

One of my most revered CDs.......2006-12-27

This album IS the definition of a perfect progressive trance collaboration between Sasha and John Digweed. It even surpasses Northern Exposure I (U.S. edition) because of the variability in tracks. The transitions between tracks one, two and three quite literally brought tears to my eyes the very first time I popped it in my car, and my highest opinion of this album has only further solidified with repeated listening.

If you bought NEII:West Coast first, do yourself a favor and check out the good ol' East. It w.i.l.l. blow you away by comparison, and I love the West Coast edition. While West has fantastic tracks which are more relaxed, consistent, bubbly and soothing... East takes that formula, bends it, twists it, makes suitable additions and comes out with something so much more intensly pleasing to the ear. The vocal selections on tracks 1-3 make the album hauntingly appealing at first, and remind me of the cover of the album due to their blue/white liquid texture and composition... but just when you sit back to enjoy the smooth relaxation Sasha and Digweed serve up first, it is only an appetizer.

The next set of perhaps 6 tracks up the ante on the tempo and profundity of the listening experience, especially on Geomantik, Blue-->Little Bullet and Botz. These tracks are, to me, so reminiscent of those found on Disc 1 of John Digweeds GU006:Sydney release. Tribal, with the "evil frog" croak and beats which create a spiraling intensity about them as the listener is propelled through the vortex of sound.

The album ends with lovely track slections and mixes by Lost Tribe, Gus Gus's "Purple" (An early trance classic and staple Tranceport remix by Sasha), and Hybrid's "Symphony". I have to say I was a bit surprised by their slection of Hybrid's track, but pleasntly so; a unique artist with a unique track to end a rewardingly unique listening experience.

I would recommend this album to anyone with an ear for audible appreciation: if you really dig albums like Sasha's Involver, Lexicon Avenue's mix on Dave Seaman's "Therapy Sessions Vol. 3", or any of the other Northern Exposure series (particularly NEI and NEIII:Disc 1), you will love this album to death.
If you are looking for Global Underground comparisons, GU006:Sydney and GU013: Ibiza come to mind; not surprising, as they are the cream of the Sasha and Digweed GU crop.

If you have not even heard of any of the aforementioned albums, you will still love this album to death.

My absolute favorite among the greatest collaboration series of two of the greatest DJ's on Planet Home.

~Lex

Amazing.......2006-06-21

Mindblowing cd and the best of all the NE'S. I highly recommend this disc to anyone.

Easily on the most impressive of all NE sets.......2006-01-07

What can I say that has not already been said. I am usually the type to write long lenghty reviews but in this case I don't have to, apparently the talent of Sasha and digweed speak for themselves ( the average review for this album is five stars with the reviewer wishing there were more stars. Me I am not so generous. I am more pragmatic and not so flaky and generous with my praise. I believe it devalues the criticsim. How many stars do u ask? SIX OF COURSE!
Check the fluke track Referendum #10 for the signature Sasha sound, haunting poignant beauty partially embossed by sadness that speaks to the human soul.
You won't find another Northern EXposure compilation like this one.
Gus Gus's purple original is here to for those who have heard the legendary remix and want to get a feel for the original version. Additional breakbeat production on the track of course but it was pretty much left untouched.

Average customer rating: Perfection You are going to love this one! Surviving The Test of Time Astonishing achievement for Sasha and the subculture this IS sasha's masterpiece

Global Underground 013: Ibiza Sasha Manufacturer: Global Underground ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Northern Exposure II: East Coast Northern Exposure II: West Coast Xpander Northern Exposure : Expeditions Communicate ASIN: B00004WH0H Release Date: 1999-12-21

Tracks:

1. Deep Progress
2. Deep Edge - MRE
3. Feel High [Humate Mix] - Resistance D
4. Real Time
5. Baseline Track - Medway
6. My Lexicon - Sander Kleinenberg, Sander Kleinenberg
7. Nothing Left [Breeder Remix] - Orbital
8. Move! - John Selway, Christian Smith
9. Talkin' [Tarrantella Vs Redanka Remix]
10. Stage One [Pariah Remix] - Space Manouevres
11. Sacred - Sander Kleinenberg
12. Amber - Natious

Tracks:

1. Fibonacci Sequence - BT
2. Zoe - Paganini Traxx
3. Perception
4. Fly - P.O.B., Patrick Reid
5. Xpander - Sasha
6. One - Bluefish
7. Mercury and Solace - BT
8. Dreamstate [LSG Mix]
9. Future in Computer Hell, Pt. 2 - Junkie XL
10. Heaven Scent/Lifeline - Bedrock

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

Album Description

Sasha Global Underground (2CD) leaves behind the modulating tempos of trance and finishes up the set with some straight-ahead progressive house tracks. Features tracks by Bedrock, BT, Orbital & more.

Album Details

The Rise and Proliferation of the Rave / DJ Culture Has Made the Popularity of Certain Disc-Slingers Skyrocket to Heights Usually Reserved for Royalty, Gifted Athletic Talent Or Those of the Ruling Class. Sasha, Born Alexander Coe in Bangor, Wales, is Just One of These. This Double CD Set features the Tracks 'my Lexicon' and 'Sacred' by Sander Kleinenberg, 'Stage One (Pariah Mix)' (Space Manoeuvres), 'Zoe (Timo Maas Mix)' by Paganinni Traxx, 'Xpander' (By Sasha Himself) and Much, Much More.

Customer Reviews:

Perfection.......2007-07-07

Quite simply.. Disc 1 is timeless perfection. Best absorbed on a beach, headphones on, when its WAY too hot...

Disc 2 is a bit more cheesy, but best sums up the dance music trends at the time..

ENJOY.

NB: don't bother with other mixes if you didn't enjoy this.. its the best DJ in the world, at the top of his game, during the peak of the electronic music scene, at the dance music capital of the world.

MAGIC!

You are going to love this one!.......2007-06-04

I played this CD for months and months. It transitions nicely from one tune to the next. It is great for driving, exercising, dancing etc...lively, wonderful beat, all excellent selections..its a soundtrack for your own mental movie..buy it..youll be glad you did!

Surviving The Test of Time.......2007-03-08

The release date of this popular Global Underground release was 1999. This is right around the time when progressive house and progressive trance genres really started to come into their own. Very fitting that this compilation was modeled after a set performed in the Meca of all electronica venues...Ibiza. It was very "cutting-edge" for the release date and includes Sasha's very own Xpander on disc 2.

Due to electronica's ever-evolving sound, it is hard to find compilations that don't get tiresome after a few years. In my opinion, Global Underground 013:Ibiza is one of these gems. Disc 1 is one of my personal favorites under the Global Underground label. Eight years later and I never tire of it.

Disc 2 is a little more outdated. I don't like the track selection as much, and have a hard time listening to the whole disc in one sitting. Still enjoyable though.

Disc 1 get 5/5 stars and disc 2 4/5 stars.

This compilation is worth possessing for disc 1 alone.

Astonishing achievement for Sasha and the subculture.......2006-12-31

Every dog has his day.
Every DJ has his album.
DJ Sasha found his, preliminarily, with Xpander. He rediscovered himself with Involver. But Ibiza remains his greatest achievement to date, and the proof lies within the brilliant music this man has chosen to present to us, the worthy progressive masses. The recipe for success, in this case is rather simple:
1 Quintessential DJ mixed with 1 Quintessential Trance world locale. Blend, mix and refrigerate. Serves millions.

All cuteness aside, however, this is one truly epic album, and perhaps the greatest achievement of the revered Global Underground series; I think Sasha knew what was expected of him with the release of this double-disc following his wildly popular San Francisco set, and he came through in strides. The typical formula for the GU series is this: Disc one, a bit slower, more patience required, beautiful and majestic yet less danceable, with disc two being the harder-hitting, rave-inducing and generally more well-liked disc. In this sense, Sasha's release is hard to compare with other Global Underground releases.

Disc one is DEEP. Perhaps this is foreshadowed by the titles of the first two tracks? Nonetheless, this disc is one beautiful, powerful and spiritual trip into the psyche. I often meditate to this disc; it's that deep. The tracks are so masterfully crafted, chosen and mixed that where I am in the album in terms of track is no longer any concern. The second half of disc one, while equally and fantastic and mesmerizing, rises the bpm a little and pulsates. Sasha displays a split-personality complex on this first disc, all the while making the two halves seem like a perfectly logical whole.

Disc two is less consistent in terms of the intensity of mood, but by all means this does not make it a lesser disc! This disc is every bit as wonderful as the first and I would challenge anyone to dispute this. "Fibonacci Sequence" has to be one of the most strangely wonderful tracks I have ever heard, with the spoken-word sequence itself oozing in and out of the track. The bass, the beat, everything about this 10+ minute introductory track is impeccable. 'Zoe', 'Perception' and 'The Fly' are very dancable and expertly mixed tracks which blend together in preparation for the one and only 'Xpander' - a beautiful addition to any mix, but especially beautiful when placed in the hands of its creator. He proves he knows exactly how to manipulate not only the work of others, but of himself as well.

Perhaps my favorite part of the entire two-disc set is summed up within the last four tracks on the second disc. Beginning with 'Mercury and Solace' and 'Dreamstate (LSG Mix)' (two tracks that have lulled me to sleep on many an occasion due to their delicate beauty) and 'Heaven Scent' (a Bedrock staple track that I happen to love) finalize this aural apex - but with a twist. Junkie XL's 'Future in Computer Hell (Part 2)', curiously inserted in between Dreamstate and Heaven Scent, is one of the most quintessential breakbeat grooves I have heard in a long, long time. It honestly reminds me of 'Rykketid' or 'One Flew Over The Cocoo's Nest' on Zabiela's Utilities.

The music speaks for itself - like true music should. This is the Five-Star Hotel, the Presidential Suite, the finest Russian caviar of progressive trance mixes, and the cream of the Global Underground crop.

As essential for the 21st century as Renaissance - The Mix Collection was for the 1990s.

~Lex

this IS sasha's masterpiece.......2006-07-24

this guy is an artist in every regard. i truly believe, with the exception of "live at avalon", that every one of his cds is a masterpiece. but if ever there were a "masterpiece", this would be the one that tops the other ones.

Average customer rating: A lukewarm cheese-grater which assigns the ears the role of cheese really boering boring! a must have one of a kind!!!!!!!!!!!

Communicate Sasha & John Digweed Manufacturer: Kinetic Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Northern Exposure : Expeditions Northern Exposure II: West Coast Northern Exposure II: East Coast Bedrock Global Underground 013: Ibiza ASIN: B00004TE2J Release Date: 2000-06-20

Tracks:

1. Like A Bitch - Jaimy And Kenny D
2. Get Lost (Stereo Dub) - Eric Clapton
3. Barbarella (Deep Dish Mix) - Sven Vath
4. Roaches (Peace Division Remix) - Trancesetters
5. Voices (Slacker's Dumb Struck Mix) - Bedrock
6. Fusion - Slacker
7. Pushing Too Hard - Saints And Sinners
8. Musak (Wonderland Avenue Remix) - Trisco
9. West On 27th (A Tribe Called Khz Mix) - Killahurtz
10. Tyrantanic (Slacker's Kingdom Come Mix) - Breeder
11. The Baguio Track (Digweed/Muir Bedrock Mix) - Luzon

Tracks:

1. Narcotic - Mainline
2. The Blue Hour - Killer Loop
3. Voices (Freelance Icebreakers Mix) - Bedrock
4. Once More - The Orb
5. ECI-PS - Jimm Van M
6. WAAH! (Seismix) - Pob
7. Force 51 - Austin Leeds
8. Ruhe - Schiller
9. Put Your Earphones On - P.F.N.
10. Enjoyed - Chemical Brothers
11. Lifestyles (Part 2) - King Of Spin

Amazon.com

Enormously popular and apparently indefatigable, trance DJ duo Sasha and John Digweed's Communicate risks market saturation given the number of CDs they've already produced separately this year. Along with Digweed's involvement in a long list of projects, including his astonishing double discs Bedrock and Global Underground: Hong Kong, Sasha's name has become omnipresent on compilations and mix records all over the world thanks to his own GU contribution Ibiza and its ubiquitous club hit Xpander. Still, one feels only gratitude for Communicate, as these two globetrotting turntablists once again show off the unique stylistic differences that produce their trademark twists, dizzying turns, and wide-open flights of rhythmic intensity. Sasha is the straightforward one, putting a heavy hand to use on the turntable, maximizing bass lines and beats while keeping a sharp eye on the fader, forever attentive to the dance floor's whims. His gifted ear pits Killhurtz' "West on 27th" mix against Breeder's "Tyrantanic" with forceful execution, providing sublime closure on the first disc. Meanwhile, Digweed's world is more subtle, filled with shady crevices, slippery transitions, and subliminal melodic touches. The ghostly sample work on Digweed's haunting "Voices: Freelance Icebreakers Mix" from the second disc slices into the Orb's "Once More" with the delicacy of a surgeon. Pieces of songs ebb and flow throughout with unpredictable grace, provoking the sweaty, timeless, eyes-shut-tight club-going experiences that exist in many a hipster's fondest dreams. All in all, this might be the best example yet of Sasha and Digweed's incomparable appeal. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews:

A lukewarm cheese-grater which assigns the ears the role of cheese.......2006-12-27

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

really boering.......2006-08-05

I was really dissapointed with this cd .Their northern exposur cd's is some of the best progressive trance mix out there.But it seemed they got the most boreing trance and mix it together .Trance has been getting a little boring now that every dj is trying to be progressive .Im tired of djs that are old enough to be my dad telling us how trance should sound

boring!.......2006-01-27

there are better cd's to get than this one. some songs are incredibly boring i want to shoot myself.

a must have.......2005-10-29

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.

one of a kind!!!!!!!!!!!.......2004-11-18

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."

Average customer rating: Yikes...Cheers to Electronica's Evolution The Renaissance Men Essential... Practically the worst Sasha & Digweed mix ever Essential CD for sasha fans

Renaissance: The Mix Collection, Vol. 1 Sasha & John Digweed Manufacturer: Renaissance ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music | Ambient | Dance Pop | Disco | Drum & Bass | Electronica | Freestyle | Techno-House | Trance | Trip Hop House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Techno & House | Dance & DJ | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Fabric 20 Fundacion NYC Northern Exposure II: East Coast Northern Exposure II: West Coast Global Underground: Miami ASIN: B0002W18S4 Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

1. Leftfield Song For Life (Lemon Interupt Mix)
2. Leftfield Song For Life (Dub For Life Mix)
3. Leftfield Song For Life (Steppin Razor Mix)
4. Bedrock Feat. KYO For What You Dream Of
5. Rhythm Invention Chronoclasm
6. The Disco Evangelists De Niro
7. Memphisto State of Mind
8. Moonchild V.O.A.T. (Original Version)
9. Sunscreen Perfect Motion
10. River Ocean Love et Happiness
11. That Kid Chris Keep on Pressin On
12. Remake/Inner City Bladerunner
13. Bump House Stompin
14. F Machine Childbride
15. M-People - Renaissance (John Digweeds Full On Mix)

Tracks:

1. Fluke Slid (PDF Mix)
2. Funk Machine Lets Get this party Started
3. Fluke Slid (Scat and Sax Frenzy Mix)
4. Corrado Trust (Pink Mix)
5. DJ MBG Trance Wave One
6. Hysterix Talk To Me
7. Anna Din Angel
8. Virtualmismo Mismoplastico (Dirtysyncomix)
9. Virtualmismo Mismoplastico (Original Mix)
10. Fishbone Beat Always
11. Grace Not Over Yet
12. Secret Life She Holds The Key
13. Funtopia Do You Wanna Know
14. VFR Tranceillusion
15. Kym Mazelle Was That All It Was

Tracks:

1. M-People - How Can I Love You More
2. Moby Go
3. Jaco Show Some Love
4. Spooky Little Bullet
5. Havana Sublime
6. Shawn Christopher Another Sleepless Night
7. Unity 3 Age of Love
8. EMF Theyre Here
9. Solar - Plexus
10. Havana Ethnic Prayer (Euro Mix)
11. 2 Bad Mice Bombscare
12. Age of Love Age of Love (Watch Out for Stella Mix)
13. My Friend Sam feat. Viola Wills Its My Pleasure
14. Lemon Interrupt Dirty

Product Description

CD 1:
1. Song For Life (Lemon Interupt Mix) - Leftfield
2. Song For Life (Dub For Life Mix) - Leftfield
3. Song For Life (Steppin Razor Mix) - Leftfield
4. For What You Dream Of - Bedrock (Feat. KYO)
5. Chronoclasm - Rhythm Invention
6. De Niro - The Disco Evangelists
7. State Of Mind - Memphisto
8. V.O.A.T. (Original Version) - Moonchild
9. Perfect Motion - Sunscreen
10. Love et Happiness - River Ocean
11. Keep on Presssin' On - That Kid Chris
12. Bladerunner - Remake/Inner City
13. House Stompin' - Bump
14. Childbride - F Machine
15. Renaissance (John Digweeds Full On Mix) - M-People

CD 2:
1. Slid (PDF Mix) - Fluke
2. Lets Get This Party Started - Funk Machine
3. Slid (Scat and Sax Frenzy Mix) - Fluke
4. Trust (Pink Mix) - Corrado
5. Trance Wave One - DJ MBG
6. Talk To Me - Hysterix
7. Angel - Anna Din
8. Mismoplastico (Dirtysyncomix) - Virtualmismo
9. Mismoplastico (Original Mix) - Virtualmismo
10. Always - Fishbone Beat
11. Not Over Yet - Grace
12. She Holds The Key - Secret Life
13. Do You Wanna Know - Funtopia
14. Tranceillusion - VFR
15. Was That All It Was - Kym Mazelle

CD 3:
1. How Can I Love You More - M-People
2. Go - Moby
3. Show Some Love - Jaco
4. Little Bullet - Spooky
5. Sublime - Havana
6. Another Sleepless Night - Shawn Christopher
7. Age Of Love - Unity 3
8. They're Here - EMF
9. Plexus - Solar
10. Ethnic Prayer (Euro Mix) - Havana
11. Bombscare - 2 Bad Mice
12. Age Of Love (Watch Out for Stella Mix) - Age Of Love
13. It's My Pleasure - My Friend Sam (Feat. Viola Wills)
14. Dirty - Lemon Interrupt

Format: DVD

Amazon.com

Reissuing old dance records can be dicey, because so many of them don't age well. There are exceptions, of course, like this digitally spiffed up and beautifully packaged, 3-disc Renaissance collection from Sasha and John Digweed. Released originally in 1994, it's become a milestone representing not only the celebrated duo's first recorded mix but also a snapshot of British dance at its raving, glorious peak. Disc 1 opens with a triplet of Leftfield's "Song for Life" and moves through still-potent tracks from Disco Evangelists ("De Niro") and F. Machine ("Child Bride"). The run continues on discs 2 and 3, as it lightly glides through Fluke's "Slide" and EMF's "They're Here." And what would a trip down amnesia lane be without a stop at Moby's "Go"? Nostalgia only goes so far, and some songs that sounded great at the time are a little soft now (see "Not Over Yet"). But that innocence gets at the heart of the collection's appeal, reminding us of when dance music seemed primed to take over the planet. -Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews:

Yikes...Cheers to Electronica's Evolution.......2007-06-05

If you recognize the tracks by name and have a strong sense of nostalgia or you are a newcomer and are curious about what electronica sounded like in the early 90's then it may be worth your greenbacks. Otherwise save your pennies on this Renaissance novelty.

Three discs featuring very poorly aged tracks encompassing various genres during their early (but continual) evolution.

I try to stay clear of accusing DJ's (that I also consider artists) of in your face commercialism, but this compilation has me changing my tune slightly. Re-releasing a compilation from 1994 in 2005 seems like an easy way to sucker a few people into buying an old collection of severely outdated tracks. Apparently the market was there as the original release was selling for up to $400 as a collector's item.

If you are curious about the history of electronica, and more specificly, Sasha and Digweed's early (possible their first) commercial release then you may be satified with this three disc set. Otherwise there are much better "Mix Collections" out there that document electronica's evolution.

Disc 1 and 2 get 2/5 stars while disc 3 gets 3/5 stars (just for the fact that it doesn't have multiple re-mixes of the same track on it like discs 1 and 2 do).

The Renaissance Men.......2007-01-13

Celebratory and expansive, house music (especially during its infancy) was never meant to be taken too seriously. It was (and still is) the musical embodiment of a very specific mood. It is fueled by adrenaline and charged by neural sparks of creativity that can be both feral and robotic. Like all mediums, its growing pains were sometimes evidenced by awkward (and incredibly embarassing) moments (see The Best of House series for a few good examples of these), but there were also shining moments of brilliance, like this three-disc set.

I disagree that this mix should be highly rated if for no other reason than because of its place in house history (unlike cars or stamps, the value of music rarely increases along with its age). However, I will say that many of these twelve-year-old cuts aren't just a testament to the leaps and bounds that house music made during its genesis (thanks in no small part to Sasha & Digweed), but some of them are still very relevant as markers of fine craftsmanship, especially in a genre that is threatened every year with death by dull monotony. This album -- one of the first of its kind to go gold, and single-handedly ensuring the fame of Sasha and Digweed as house music's most trusted ambassadors -- is everything that good club music still wants to be.

Okay, well, not everything. Even the Almighty S & D aren't immune to a little dating. Each of the three discs has patchy moments where the music misfires ("Tranceillusion"), skids on atonal redundancy ("House Stompin'"), or is just plain annoying ("Bombscare"). And for listeners familiar with S & D's latest oeuvre, some of the tunes will definitely sound a mite-bit backward. This is to be expected when you're listening to house music that's over a decade old.

But what's a pleasant surprise are the caramel-smooth progressions and transitions (the "Song For Life" trilogy), the skittery electro-tangles ("Slid"), and the ecstatic, round-house power hits ("Sublime"). Although the discs contain their fair share of crumbling, poorly-aged retro-rhythms, these weak spots are obscured by the lush vibrancy of the rest of the albums.

Sasha and Digweed may have come a long way since 1994, but that doesn't mean their starting point was necessarily a bad place. It had its flaws, its cracks and gaudy mouldings, but -- as this set proves -- their point of origin wasn't something embarrasing which they have since left behind. It was a solid bedrock, a great wide launching pad, that they continue to reinvent in newer and better ways. Fans of the genre and of the artists should buy this album to rediscover the classics that goaded the music into loftier realms; newcomers should buy this album to learn just how timeless even this most modern of musics can still be.

Essential..........2006-10-21

Techno and the whole electronica scene has certainly splintered from its early days with genre after genre and label after label being attached to its many forms and sounds. But it all starts here, really. It was this mix, this year, this scene that blazed the trail for the rise of techno as, dare I say it, popular. Oh, sure, there was techno prior to this but not in a format for mass consumption. It was mostly an "insider" thing with a few hints in the marketplace that it was coming as all scenes do when they hit critical mass.

I was a latecomer to the whole thing having dabbled in some Eon in the early 90s and beginning listening to Moby sometime circa 1994, about the same time as this was released. I first heard John Digweed when I stumbled across his Global Underground Los Angeles mix in 1999. Consuming everything GU I would eventually stumble across this, purchasing a copy from the UK for a pretty penny.

This mix captures a snapshot in time. The opening three tracks with the various remixes of Leftfield instantly set the tone that something special is happening. With singing divas, remixes of artists who are now fairly well known, Moby being one of them, these mixes capture a moment in time, an era, the re-emergence of dance music.

From time to time I will pull this out to listen to it, hoping it doesn't sound cheesy, dated and ridiculous. It never really does. At worst it is sentimental. Though it does show its age (especially some of the diva tunes, an obligatory insert in all mixes of this period, overplayed to the point of parody), this is not in the negative. It still sounds sweet and is a gentle reminder that for as much as techno has "sold out" today (television theme songs, movie soundtracks and commercials) that it still sounds remarkably fresh.

As every classic rocker needs some of the essentials of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd with newer staples such as Metallica, Nirvana and Guns 'n' Roses, anyone who likes techno or DJ mixes needs to get a copy and develop deep roots.

Practically the worst Sasha & Digweed mix ever.......2006-03-07

I've been listening to Sasha and Digweed for a very very long time, and I wanted this Renaissance mix collection after going to the nightclub in the U.K. because of the amazing experiences there. However, I was disturbed when I listened to this 3cd set. Infact it doesn't reflect on anything Sasha has done even before these mixes. I would never have bought this item had I known how horrible it is. While the mixing is good, the track selection is not what I expected, I learned my lesson...

Essential CD for sasha fans.......2006-01-07

If you don't like Sasha and are just getting into him I suggest you try something a bit more current. This CD has been recently remastered and the mixing, production level, and track selection is truly historical but this CD is for people that like Sasha and want to own his classic sets hence the term collectros edition used on the casing. If you are new to Sasha or the genre get involver and then Ibiza and then Paul Oakenfold's tranceport for his take on the Gus Gus track purple which is considered by most people to be one of the most awe-inspiring remixes of all time.

Bottom line: U want it? go for it its pretty impressive from start to finish, featuring the likes of Leftfield, Sasha himself, moby and a tremendous host of others.

Average customer rating: what I think..... The first Electronica CD I purchased, and still the best Best EP you can get God Touches The Few Milestone in progessive history

Xpander Sasha Manufacturer: Ultra Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Trance | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Airdrawndagger Northern Exposure II: East Coast Involver Northern Exposure : Expeditions Global Underground 013: Ibiza ASIN: B0000296W7 Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

1. Xpander Edit
2. Xpander
3. Belfunk
4. Rabbitweed
5. Baja

Amazon.com

DJs Sasha and Digweed are known throughout the world for their sublime mixes and clever choice of material popularized by their Northern Exposure CD series. Beyond the interminable techno and house of their contemporaries, S&D have found some magic key with which they make real music out of monotonous dance-floor detritus. Their mixes breathe, travel, and reflect, making armchair listening a resplendent journey in the head. Those of us who would rather endure an evening with Sugar Ray than get caught in some ear-shattering dance dungeon find solace in the mercurial, near shamanic sounds of S&D. But can solo Sasha match the muse? Xpander follows the S&D formula to a T, leaving you wondering who is the genie and who is the master in that partnership. Almost subliminally, the Sasha tracks "Xpander," "Belfunk," "Rabbitweed," and "Baja" unwind as much in the air as in your head. The beat, of course, is omnipotent, but Sasha adds touches of glowing ambient, experimental house, soundtrack surrealism, and trippy, Warpish techno. Remember that scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey where our hero, Dave, travels light years in a single moment, only to find himself looking at his own aged body eating eggs? Xpander is the eerie modern soundtrack to a heightened aging process, one where the mind gets lost in the void while the body either shuts down or dances. --Ken Micallef

Album Description

Five track EP from the reputed house artist. Contains 'X pander' (Edit), 'Xpander', 'Belfunk', 'Rabbitweed' and 'Baja'. Available domestically for the first time & at a cheaper price than the import. Standard jewel case. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

what I think............2007-01-26

First off again I'm not writing a book here to quantify my authority upon the subject of electronica...I read the reviews "f-ing" christ just shut your pie hole and listen to the CD already...what? you think your Mozart's wet dream or something ??
...Benjamin T. Young "Skillz McGavern" --you are a blowhard...christ I read your other reviews...( yawning ) boring...thanks but no thanks music is music..other people want insightful reviews not your goddamned thesis paper on it...
onward and upward...sorry I had to go off like that..

The CD is excellent, I cut my teeth with electrica with this CD...I recommend it..get the full version...

The first Electronica CD I purchased, and still the best.......2006-12-31

This is just one of those CD's that stands alone, above the rest. I agree with everybody else, the Full cut of Xpander is better than the cut, but it's not bad in cut form. Xpander and Belfunk get all the play, but really, the other tracks are just as good.

Also, I'm not sure why, but this has my absolute favorite cover of any CD. It's incredibly fitting with the sound, especially Belfunk.

So, if you don't own this, you need to. It's truly wonderful.

Best EP you can get.......2006-11-05

This should not be called EP, it should have been a LP. I know there are just 4 tracks, but they last over 40 minutes which is more then some punk/pop LPs that contain 10 songs or more.

I always skip edit of Xpander as the original mix is so much better. When you got thourgh a journey that starts with many will agree, best progressive trance tune of all time Xpander and continues on my fav track from the album Belfunk. Belfunk is just so great, so driving and emotional that can not be described by words.

Rabbitweed and Baja are phenomenal tracks too, and I can reccomend anyone who likes music to spend 40 mins of their life on this tunes. Once you gave this CD 40 mins, you will give it much more time as it just screams for a repeat.

And if you worry about date of releease - tracks sound so fresh even 4 years after.

Essential buy for electronic music fans, and even people that are not genre related, can relate to this.

God Touches The Few.......2006-10-25

The best use of 3 minutes 50 seconds on any cd. The first song on this is the first and last in Trance setting a benchmark that will be tested for years. The first song can be extended, remixed, meshed simultaneously and amphlified by the same producer on a 12 minute musical set and reissued as a classic remastered cd for this year. I mean screw his stupid maven mixer i'll send him my version of this song he can keep the loot and property rights just re-release it in all its glory the way it sounds on this cd. The sound is 20 years ahead of its time which makes you wonder how brilliant is this prodigy.

Milestone in progessive history.......2006-05-26

This cd is not easy to listen to. I mean what is the use in buying a car you already know how to drive or marrying a girl you already...
But it is still worth picking up. Certain tracks here are a rarity for even the Sasha fan such as Baja and Rabbitweed. I am sure we all know and are almost sick of Xpander and Belfunk. Too overplayed because of their brilliance.

Still worth picking up though.
Interesting aside: This cd helped confirm my long held suspicion that Sasha has a soft spot for the middle eastern sound. Virtually all his major mixes have at least the second opening track with just a trace of that ultra cool raj like vibe with despondent male vocals.

Highest recommendation.

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