DJ Pez

06/17/2024

Well isn't that just the thing. We set up the pool and new we're expecting rain for the next few days.

Global Underground 24 - Nick Warren - Reykjavik (2003)

Straying far from my current expectations of Nick Warren, Global Underground 24 becomes much less of a dancing CD and mostly a listening CD.

More than half of the first disc doesn't get much faster than 90BPM with some very downtempo and progresses to some smoother Nu-Skool Breaks.
The first few tracks are barely mixed together which I find is a trend among ambient/downtemp mixes though I wish I could have seen a bit more effort. I could see myself relaxing in a geothermal pool, watching the northern lights above.

Disc 02 is much more of what we'd expect from Nick Warren. This mix takes a much more The tracks are dark and moody. Very danceable.

All in all, not 100% my vibe. Disc 01 doesn't flow that well and Disc 02 doesn't do it for me.

Standout Tracks Disc 01
-----------------------
Justin Simmons - Helga Möller (New Aluminists Remix)
-A dreamy breakbeat that sounds like it belongs on a Luke Vibert CD. Just recently released on Bandcamp after only being available as a promo 12".

Global Communication – 14:31
- Track 10 is actually a mix of 3 different songs. This classic Ambient journey was nestled between 2 breaks Tracks.

Standout Tracks Disc 02
-----------------------
Aural Imbalance - Aural Navigation (Part 2)
-Super Long. Worth the journey. Apparently dropped from the label for release after it was featured on this compilation. Another rare one indeed!

Dream Traveller - Headpusher
-Hints of early Goa Trance buried in a Progressive Groove.

7/10

Next Up: Global Underground 25 - Deep Dish - Toronto (2003)

06/11/2024

This weekend we started setting up the outdoor pool. Hoping for some warm summer daze!

Global Underground 23 - James Lavelle - Barcelona (2002)

I didn't know what to expect when I saw that James Lavelle was doing the next Global Underground mix. He's a legendary label owner (Mo Wax Records), outstanding Producer (U.N.K.L.E.), and, as I've now just learned, a champion of a DJ. He basically invented Trip Hop.
Both CDs are fantastic. The track selection is spot on and very diverse in it's vibe. Mixing is good, he really lets the tracks breathe in the mix. Disc 1 starts off with some Downtempo music followed by some nice Funky Breaks. It's much more of a listening vibe compared to Disc 2 which is more dancefloor friendly playing host to some more Breaks and Progressive House.

Standout Tracks Disc 1
----------------------
Evil Nine - Crooked (Instrumental)
-Breaks started taking on a real Rock & Roll vibe around this time with very organic sounding drums & guitars. A real moody one here.

Ils - No Soul (PMT Remix)
-Such a nice Breaks groove to this one.

Standout Tracks Disc 2
----------------------
Pitch Black - Underground Sound
-Something I would want to dance to in a warehouse.

Overall, I'd give it an 8.5/10

Next up: Global Underground 24 - Nick Warren - Reykjavik (2003)

06/01/2024

It's spring! Turn off Netflix and go outside! Plant a garden and listen to DJ Plush's latest mix 'All Together'. It's a fantastic collection of fresh tunes so skillfully and seamlessly blended.

Check it out on Soundcloud HERE: https://soundcloud.com/dj_plush/plush-all-together

While you're there, check out my Global Underground 'Coles Notes' where we take the best tracks of the series and smash 'em together:

Volumes 01 - 05
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/dj-pez-global-underground-01-05

Volumes 06 - 10
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-06-10

Volumes 11 - 15
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-11-15

Volumes 16 - 20
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-16-20

Global Underground 22 - Dave Seaman - Melbourne (2002)

So many good songs in this mix. Disc 01 has got to be one of my favorite mixes. Disc 02 not so much.
Disc 01 is so trippy and moody. I would recommend a little w**d and a nice cup of tea for this one. There are some very haunting and deeper tracks here giving Disc 01 a real Halloween feel. A bold choice to open with a couple of chillout downtempo cuts making me believe that this album was thought out to be more of a listening CD than a representation of a party in Melbourne, though there are quite a few songs from Australian producers in this mix.
It was...ok to hear the mix finished off with breaks as something different but to be honest, it didn't grab me.

Standout Tracks CD1
-------------------
Digital Mind Control - Mindstate
-Very Mood. Much Ethereal. Yes.

Flash Brothers - Sarcasm
-Like a multi-part tribal symphony.

Cass & Slide - Mind Rewind
-Like a buzz-saw through my brain!

Standout Tracks CD2
-------------------
Sean Cusick - Consider The Ravens
-Gonna go out on a limb here and say this is basically an older Canadian track from 1992 called Teste - The Wipe
Compare if you dare:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt-XexszqYE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBCD9a6xJm4

8.5/10

Next up: Global Underground 23 - James Lavelle - Barcelona (2002)

05/25/2024

If you've been following along since the beginning of the year, we've been reviewing all the Global Underground mixes. Once every 5 mixes, I like to smash together a 'Best Of' mix where I take
the top tracks from the compilations and make my own personal mix.

So here we have it! Best Of Global Underground 16-20!

Not my best work, I'll admit. Bonus points to whomever can point out my biggest 'oops! moment' in this mix. Oof!

Honestly, some of my favorite tracks to mix.

Global Underground 16-20:
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-16-20

Global Underground 11-15:
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-11-15

Global Underground 06-10:
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-06-10

Global Underground 01-05:
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/dj-pez-global-underground-01-05

Tracklist
---------
01 Muse - Sunburn (Timo Maas' Sunstroke Remix)
02 Tijuana - Groove Is In The Air (Simon's Future Dreams Mix)
03 Pete Lazonby - Sacred Cycles (Quivver Mix)
04 Way Out West - The Fall
05 Neil Himmons - Play (Fast Forward Mix)
06 PMT - Gyromancer
07 Jori Hulkkonen - Man From Solaris
08 Sonic Infusion - Reformatted
09 Moby - Porcelain (Futureshock Instrumental)
10 Medicine 8 - Junior Aspirin
11 Salt Tank - The Energy (DJ Remy Remix)
12 Satoshi Tomiie Featuring Kelli Ali - Love In Traffic (John Creamer & Stephane K Remix)
13 Roland Klinkenberg - Inner Laugh (James Holden Remix)
14 Thomas P Heckmann x Marc Romboy - Ultra Vixens
15 F2 - Dominica (Vegas Soul Remix 1)

Mixed on a Denon Prime 4

Best of volumes 16-20 of the Global Underground series. Featuring tracks from: 16 Dave Seaman: Cape Town 17 Danny Tenaglia: London 18 Nick Warren: Amsterdam 19 John Digw**d: Los Angeles 20 Darren Eme

05/25/2024

Good thing there's 52 weeks a year as I totally skipped a week in my review. Sometimes you just need to take a week off to concentrate on work and paying the ever-growing pile of bills that rule from the centre of the Ultraworld (

05/14/2024

Glad we got some rain. My garden will be happy! What are you all planting this year in your gardens?

Global Underground 20 - Darren Emerson - Singapore (2001)

Darren Emerson back with some house music for your soul. Ehhh, I enjoyed this one but honestly nothing standout about this mix. It ticks all the boxes for a house music mix and the mixing is solid but, I dunno...I wasn't really inspired throughout the whole mix. Disc one & two both seem to hit the same level of intensity. It skates a fine line between straight up House and Progressive House. It definatley has the energy to keep you moving. I could see this being a great soundtrack for working outdoors.

Standout Tracks Disc 01
-----------------------
Medicine8 - Junior Aspirin
-This one could really pump up a party. It has some good dancefloor energy.

Standout Tracks Disc 02
-----------------------
Jori Hulkkonen - Man From Solaris
-A nice and funky, jazzy groove.

7/10

Next Up: Global Underground 21 - Deep Dish - Moscow (2001)

05/07/2024

The rain relaxes me, with a light sprinkling of melancholy. I seem to look back more than forward these days...

Global Underground 19 - John Digw**d - Los Angeles (2001)

Aww ya, now this is a good mix! Young Jonny-Boi does it again with just the right blend. There's quite the mix of music here (House, Tribal, Techno, Trance) though it all falls under the Progressive umbrella. The mixing is top-drawer on this one. Really smooth blends. A real sonic journey though I fond that none of his sets really peak for me.
Disc 2 being a bit darker & heavier.

Standout Tracks Disc 01
-----------------------
Satoshi Tomiie - Love In Traffic (John Creamer & Stephane K Remix)
-A classic. Creamer & K had such a special way with creating these borderline minimal tribal expeditions.

Tijuana - Groove Is In The Air (Simon's Future Dreams Mix)
-Really hypnotic with those long drawn out synth pads. Mood.

Standout Tracks Disc 02
-----------------------
Roland Klinkenberg - Inner Laugh (James Holden Remix)
-James Holden was never afraid to experiment (check out his record label Border Community). Nice & glitchy.

Salt Tank - The Energy (DJ Remy Remix)
-Slightly dark. A great album finisher.

8.5/10

Next Up: Global Underground 20 - Darren Emerson - Singapore (2001)

04/27/2024

The part of getting older that I don't appreciate is being tired all the time.

Global Underground 18 - Nick Warren - Amsterdam (2000)

All these Nick Warren mixes are really surprising to me. This one is much deeper than his last few mixes on Global Underground (How did he get to do so many?). I'm personally a fan of the track selection on this one. The flow of the mix has improved but still not quite there. Lots of tribal elements in this mix as well. The mix felt 'mailed in' as much of the blends are quick outro-intro mixes. I would have liked to hear some more long drawn out mixes. As goes with the theme, disc 01 is much more mellow than disc 02. No real preference between discs.

Standout Tracks CD 1 - Now with YouTube Links
--------------------
PMT - Gyromancer
-Nice n trippy progressive acid stomper from Acetate LTD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krdg1LV9V5E

Standout Tracks CD 2 - Now with YouTube Links
--------------------
Neil Himmons - Play
-Nice n deep tribal stomper from Baroque Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQr_jvC2PDo

Sonic Infusion (RIP) - Reformatted
-Nice n groovy progressive stomper from Polyester Music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV4JVSO1YPM

Thomas P. Heckmann x Marc Romboy - Ultra Vixens
-Nice n heavy techno acid stomper from Le Petit Prince.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6QiZ4NTpQA

I'll give it a 7/10

What do you think?

I just woke up and it's time for a nap...

Next Up: Global Underground 19 - John Digw**d - Los Angeles (2001)

04/23/2024

Global Underground 17 - Danny Tenaglia - London (2000)

I've come to the conclusion that this is the worst Global Underground mix to date.

The whole 2 discs seem to be centered around Coco Da Silva - Saudade (Disc 1, Track 8) which doesn't fit with the rest of the mix.

What's with the excessively long songs? Disc 2, track 1 plays out for 10 minutes before mixing (and barely mixed at that).

One or two mixes are just off, plain and simple.

The vibe seems to be all over the place. Starting off with some jazzy tribal house and then out of the blue, mainstream diva house care of ATFC (I literally gave that record away cause I couldn't stand the vocals)? I'm wondering if some of these DJs were told to include certain songs in their mixes. Some sort of British underground 'You scratch my back, ...'

I swear Katcha - Touched By God (Peace Division Mix) comes in on completely wrong phrasing.

The last song, disc 2: Surprise hard techno song?

Why is Art Of Trance on this mix?

I feel Danny may have been absolutely stoned while recording this. I mean, just look at his eyes!

I can tell this was mixed on vinyl for which I will give bonus points but, from someone touted as the DJ's DJ, I expect something a little more cohesive.

Standout Tracks CD 1
--------------------
Da Boo - Spark That
-A playful Tribal sensation.

Standout Tracks CD 2
--------------------
F2 - Dominica (Vegas Soul Remix One)
-Those ethereal pad stabs really give this track a vibe. Reminds me of some songs by Evolution.

5/10

Next Up: Global Underground 18 - Nick Warren - Amsterdam

04/19/2024

What does everyone think about a 4:20 all vinyl livestream tomorrow? Eat some brownies and I'll play some space music?

twitch.tv/alexipezakov

Global Underground 16: Dave Seaman - Cape Town (2000)

Loving Dave Seaman's mixes here. His tracks have such a flow to them. Mellow yet energetic enough to keep you dancing. Not gonna lie, was super into disc 01 but not really disc 02. Though the individual tracks on Disc 02 were bangin' in their own rights, the overall mix sounded flat to me.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Moby - Porcelin (Futureshock Instrumental)
-A mix of a classic. I'd never heard this mix before. Futureshock do well!

Brother Love Dubs - 1-800-MING
-I feel this is where Dave Seaman peaks out disc 01. Lovely melody.

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Pete Lazonby - Sacred Cycles (Quivver Remix)
-Quivver does a fantastic job giving this classic some dancefloor energy.

Way Out West - The Fall
-Recently gifted to me. If you've never heard Coldcut - Autumn Leaves (My favorite is the Irresistible Force Mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C9Vuk9K0HM ).

8/10

Don't forget to check out the 'Best Of...' mixes up on my Soundcloud!

https://soundcloud.com/peznakov

Next Up: Global Underground 17: Danny Tenaglia - London (2000)

04/13/2024

We're about one third into our Global Underground adventures 2024 so I've come up with another "Best Of..." mix compiling the best tracks from Global Underground Volumes 11-15.

You can find that mix HERE:
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-11-15

Previous Mixes...

Global Underground 06-10:
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-06-10

Global Underground 01-05:
https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/dj-pez-global-underground-01-05

Tracklist
---------
01 POB - Glide
02 Pascal F.E.O.S. - I Can Feel That
03 Stef - Joachim
04 The Coffee Boys - Ni**le Fish (Funk Function Dub)
05 Bedrock - Heaven Scent
06 Luzon - The Baguio Track (Full Igorot Vocal Mix)
07 Sasha - Xpander
08 Jean-Phillippe Aviance - Useless
09 LSG - Shecan
10 MRE - The Deep Edge
11 Aquilia - Dreamstate (LSG Remix)
12 Christian Smith & John Selway - Move!
13 Polaroid - So Damn Beautiful (Amethyst Mix)
14 Saints & Sinners - Pushin' Too Hard
15 Ian Wilkie & Timo Maas - Twin Town
16 POB Featuring DJ Patrick Reid - Fly

04/10/2024

Welcome back to my Global Underground CD weekly review. This week we are finally in the 2000s!

Global Underground 15: Darren Emerson - Uruguay (2000)

Expect a mix sometime this week highlighting the best of volumes 11-15.

This mix is a refreshing change from the Progressive House & Trance that has dominated much of the previous 15 releases. This mix by Darren Emerson (Former member of the group Underworld) is House Music through and through. Even then, it still has sprinkles of the Progressive vibe. Both discs finish off with some older classics circa 1990ish.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Saints & Sinners - Pushin Too Hard
-A Giorgio Morodor arpeggiated bassline gives this track some real "let's get down to the business of dancing" vibes

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Pascal F.E.O.S. - I Can Feel That
-Another arpeggiated bassline, this time from a German master (RIP) who helped shape the German Techno scene.

8/10

Next Up: Global Underground 16: Dave Seaman - Cape Town (2000)

04/05/2024

Friday Night Vinyl Livestream Marathon!
Let's play some records!

DJ Pez - Vinyl Jam Marathon

03/30/2024

I started a band with my friend Opie! We do live electronic music on our synthesizers! We're just starting out so it might be a while before you catch us play at a show. Here's a live 'jam' that we pulled off last week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEBsMITuncc

Global Underground 14: John Digw**d - Hong Kong (1999)

This mix by John Digw**d is rather decent. It's same same but different than his Global Underground 06 (Sydney). Lot's of tribal Progressive stuff. Disc 2 really takes off with some heavy hitters. Not much bad to say about this mix. Nice flow, good mixes.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Luzon - The Baguio Track (Full Igorot Vocal Mix)
-It's the Tribal Spatterings and haunting vocal that grabs me on this one.

Jean-Phillippe Aviance - Useless (Instrumental)
-Such a solid beat and unique feel to the song.

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Pob - Glide
-Pob has such a unique sound that I'm just starting to really appreciate.

8/10

Finally, we can enter the 21st century!

Next Up: Global Underground 15: Darren Emerson - Uruguay (2000)

03/25/2024

Global Underground 13: Sasha - Ibiza (1999)

As a young adult, I always dreamed of heading to the Spanish island of Ibiza. Lying on a beach at 7am after dancing hard all night to some of the worlds top class DJs. It would have been much more affordable and much less elitist back then. I feel I may have missed my opportunity.

This mix comes off as sort of the peak of Progressive House and Trance. Chalked full of classics. I don't really have much else to say. Honestly the sounds are starting to feel a little repetitive. Can't wait until we enter the 21st Century.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
MRE - The Deep Edge
Christian Smith & John Selway - Move!

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Pob Featuring Patrick Reid - The Fly
Sasha - Xpander
Aquila - Dreamstate (LSG Mix)
Bedrock - Heaven Scent

8/10

Next Up: Global Underground 14: John Digw**d - Hong Kong (1999)

03/19/2024

Better late than never!
95% of these Global Underground reviews are just to prove to myself that I can see something to completion.

Global Underground 12: Dave Seaman - Buenos Aires (1999)

This mix surprised me as I wasn't 100% sure on Dave Seaman's direction with this one. I'd heard his name several times growing up but never really had a listen. Fast forward several years, I really do enjoy much of his production.
Disc 1 has fantastic energy! Techno, House, Trance, Tribal, Progressive. I enjoyed the proper intro by Underworld.
Disc 2 goes in the Trancey direction. Still some great tracks that aren't over the top. I found that, near the end of disc 2, the mixes become more cut and paste.
I prefer Disc 1 to Disc 2.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Ian Wilkie vs Timo Maas - Twin Town
-That slappy-compressed-washy-beat is a clear sound of Timo Maas. Almost like an 80s reverse reverb has been applied to the kick drum.

Polaroid - So Damn Beautiful (Amethyst Mix)
-Turns out this is quite a rarity. only 4 dubplates were sent out in 1998 to Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, Parks & Wilson, and Dave Seaman. The official release of the original track wasn't released until 2003 and the Amethyst Mix is not on it. The Amethyst Mix only appears in it's entirety on The GU10 Compilation, Unmixed version.

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Coffee Boys - Ni**le Fish (Funk Function Remix)
-This track has the energy and the groove to boot. Straight business with this one.

I'll shoot this one higher than the average at an 8/10

Next Up: Global Underground 13: Sasha - Ibiza (1999)

03/11/2024

We rolling into Spring with another Global Underground review!
Honestly, these reviews are pretty weaksauce but I'm gonna keep doing them whether you like it or not. :P

If you didn't catch them, I have created 2 Global Underground condensed mixes from my favorites of the CDs we've listened to so far. You can catch them HERE:

https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/dj-pez-global-underground-01-05

https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-06-10

Global Underground 11 - Nick Warren - Budapest (1999)

This is what, the 3rd Nick Warren CD in the series? The man sure gets around! I've noticed that his style seems to be mellowing out over the last couple of years. Disc 1 starts off with a bang. It feels like a solid opening DJ set as it has lots of energy but doesn't really peak. Disc 2 feels much the same as disc 1 only a bit more up-tempo with a psychedelic edge. A good CD to pass the time while on a bus or airplane. I like Disc 1 over Disc 2.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Stef - Steffan
-This is the kind of song I'd want to hear when I first walk into a warehouse rave.

Standout Tracks CD2
-----------------------
LSG - Shecan
-Always so much emotion in Oliver Lieb's work

A standard 7/10

Next up: Global Underground 12 - Dave Seaman - Buenos Aires (1999)

03/06/2024

We're back with our second installment mini-mix featuring tracks from Global Underground volumes 06-10.

https://soundcloud.com/peznakov/global-underground-06-10

This one turned out much more Tribal Progressive but still quite the variety of tunes in here.

Featuring tracks from:
06 John Digw**d: Sydney
07 Paul Oakenfold: New York
08 Nick Warren: Brazil
09 Sasha: San Francisco
10 Danny Tenaglia: Athens

Tracklist:
01 Locust - No One In The World (In Slacker's Universe — Instrumental Mix)
02 Mortal - Autobahnana
03 Paragliders - Change Me
04 E-Razor - India
05 Primitive - Lapis Lazuli (A2)
06 Solar Stone - Day By Day (Red Jerry 'Smack The Bigot Up' Dub)
07 Der Dritte Raum - Hale Bopp (Raumgleiter Version Remastered)
08 Danny Tenaglia - Elements (The Chant)
09 Energy 52 - Café Del Mar (Nalin & Kane Remix)
10 Mac Zimms - Batido
11 Lustral - Everytime (Nalin & Kane Remix)
12 Three Drives On A Vinyl - Greece 2000
13 Origin - Tidal Protaxis
14 Vintage Millennium - Propaganda
15 Freaky Chakra - Platform
16 Miro - Paradise (Red Jerry's Longdubbyvocal Mix)

Mixed on a Denon Prime 4

Stay Tuned for 10-15!

Best of volumes 06-10 of the Global Underground series. Featuring tracks from: 06 John Digw**d: Sydney 07 Paul Oakenfold: New York 08 Nick Warren: Brazil 09 Sasha: San Francisco 10 Danny Tenaglia: At

02/29/2024

Michael Kohlbecker recently asked an AI software "What is Techno & how does it affect the people?"

The response:
Techno is the trigger for collective happiness.
Confidence triggered through the confirmation of the basic key through the vibration of the bass, which is reminiscent of the basic tone of the mothers heartbeat, which we could not hear in the womb but could feel.
Combined with the right tension curve that leads to a climax or break energetically similar to a sexual curve of union, pure Techno is created.
No matter what colour or style.
If people share this unconsciously sincere experience with each other, their fears are generally massively reduced.
Techno, as a resistance, is in the eyes of those who are interested, that we are afraid.
The enemy of this sincere energy is the vanity of those who use this culture and usually discard themselves because vanity is never as durable as Techno.

Techno The Healer & We Are The Dealer.

Global Underground 10: Danny Tenaglia - Athens (1999)

Music Is The Answer! Danny Tenaglia recently released the latest Global Underground compilation ( #45...gonna have to wait until December to hear this one) last year. This is a nice mix that strays from the Progressive sounds of the previous compilations and dives into some Minimal Dub-House, Tribal House, and some deeper Tribal influenced Techno reminiscent of Jon Creamer & Stephen K. The last couple of tracks on each disc feel a little out of place but other than that, it's a smooth mix. Danny Tenaglia is known for having several hour long DJ sets and I can see why. I prefer DC1 to CD2.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Primitive - Lapis Lazuli (A2)
-Recently re-released on vinyl/digital in 2021. This vibe is still current to this day.

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Mac Zimms - Batido
-A Techno tribal stomper.

7/10!

Next Up: Global Underground 11: Nick Warren - Budapest (1999)

02/28/2024

As a favor to you, I have compiled the best tracks from the Global Underground series volumes 01-05 into a quick DJ set.
The Coles Notes of DJing :P
Volumes 01-05 are quite bangin'. I suspect the next volume will be much more chill.

Best of volumes 01-05 of the Global Underground series. Featuring tracks from: 01 Tony De Vit: Tel Aviv 02 (unavailable) 03 Nick Warren: Prague 04 Paul Oakenfold: Oslo 05 Tony De Vit: Tokyo Tracklis

02/25/2024

Today Happens to be the 28th anniversary since I DJed my first party (called 'Stoked' in an abandoned warehouse space above where Cash Canada is now)!

Global Underground 09: Sasha - San Francisco (1999)

I'll admit to being biased as this was the only Global Underground CD I owned. The story goes: I was in HMV @ the mall and I believe it was Quint who showed me this CD, "Hey, someone special ordered this and didn't want it. I think it would be right up your alley!"
So I came home with the UK double-wide boxed version of it and so far, it's my favorite Global Underground CD. It has since been donated to Sam's Global Underground collection where it is safe and happy with the rest of its Global Underground pals.

If you do end up checking this out, be sure to get the UK version. Several of the Global Underground CDs were re-released across the ocean and, due to I'm assuming licensing issues, certain songs are omitted in the US versions.

This is a quintessential selection of Progressive House's deeper side. CD1 is smooth & deep. Very Housey. CD2 is more dancefloor oriented. More Progressive Trancey.
Fantastic track selection. Fantastic mixing. You can tell he's using loop features on some tracks which is amazing because there was no loop features at the time. I don't really have a favorite CD, they're both amazing.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Freaky Chakra - Platform
-If you have a chance to listen to their album Blacklight Fantasy, you won't be disappointed.

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Der Dritte Raum - Hale Bopp
-A German classic. I swear, I own 10 remixes of this.

Paragliders - Change Me
-My main man, Oliver Lieb, wrote this. He's got such a vibe.

Jark Prongo - Movin' Thru Your System
-Catchy as all heck. My favorite song to sing on the toilet.

My first 10/10! Like I said, I'm biased :P

Next Up: Global Underground 10: Danny Tenaglia - Athens (1999)

02/16/2024

Hope everyone is enjoying their lives today!
I was thinking I should put together little DJ mixes highlighting the best tracks (in my opinion) from these Global Underground reviews. A sort of Coles Notes for volumes 1-5, 6-10, etc.

Global Underground 07: Nick Warren - Brazil (1998)

Nick Warren is back in action. A unique blend of harder, bouncier Progressive House for Disc 1. I was not expecting Breaks for the bulk of disc 2 which was a nice surprise. There does seem to be a lack of flow in Nick Warren's mixes but I'll put that aside for his interesting selection of music. I enjoyed disc 2 more than disc 1.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
E-Razor - India
-I'm starting to really enjoy E-Razor's productions.

Origin - Tidle Protaxis
-Nice breakdown. Some unique sounds in this.

Locust - No-One In The World (In Slacker's Universe - Instrumental Mix)
-The original is one of my favorite songs. Slacker always has great production & remixes.

Standout Tracks CD2
----------------------
Energy 52 - Café Del Mar '98 (Nalin + Kane Mix)
-Not my favorite mix of Café Del Mar but right up there!

Overall I give this Global Underground compilation a 7/10.

Next Up: Global Underground 09: Sasha - San Francisco (1999)

02/15/2024

I have a big stack of new records that need to be rinsed! Tune in tonight for some Twitch livestream action!

Beef Udon // Turbo Grafx 16 // Snugglecore // Ambient Punk

02/10/2024

I can't believe it's already February! We're back with our 6th installment of Global Underground reviews for 2024! Thanks for following me along this new years resolution of mine to listen to every Global Underground CD this year.

Global Underground 07: Paul Oakenfold - New York (1998)

This mix is a textbook "who's-who" of late 90s Progressive House and Trance. It seems like half the mix is from the Hooj Choons back catalogue! Again, Paul Oakenfold's strength seems to be with his track selection. There is such a mood in this mix. Disc 1 contains a nice selection of Progressive House while disc 2, after a couple of Atmospheric Jungle/Drum & Bass tracks, rolls into some early Progressive Trance. I was a fan of disc 1 primarily. Disc 2 didn't really grab me at all. Disc 1, however, really took me on a relaxing sonic voyage.

Standout Tracks CD1
----------------------
Solar Stone - Day By Day (Red Jerry's Smack The Bigot Up Dub)
-Super smooth! A real mood with this track. Hooj Choons!

Lustral - Everytime (Nalin & Kane Mix)
-My favorite mix of this track. A Hooj Choons classic.

Miro - Paradise (Red Jerry's Longdubbyvocal Mix)
-One of my all time favorite tracks. Mood! Again, Hooj Choons.

Three Drives On A Vinyl - Greece 2000
-100% classic. You guessed it; Hooj Choons.

Standout Tracks CD2
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Honestly, nothing really grabbed me from disc 2.

Overall I give this Global Underground compilation a 7/10.

Next Up: Global Underground 08: Nick Warren - Brazil (1998)