Dance and DJ music reviews

but not the amazing classic some of the hype may lead you to believe (maybe it was at its initial release.) Either way, it's a great album with great beats and well worth the $6 I got it for on ebay.

Endtroducing is the debut album of DJ Shadow, aka Josh Davis. He produces a variety of sound in this album, but manages to mix it all together so it's unique but distinctly Shadow. With a meld of trance, rhythm and bass, hip hop, and music from the 60s, DJ Shadow produces an amazingly fresh sound that has been almost unrivaled by anyone today. The second track (Building Steam With a Grain of Salt) and last three tracks (Midnight in a Perfect World, Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain, and What Does Your Soul Look Like Part 1 Blue Sky Revisit) particularly stand outto me for their smoother flow, and 2, 12 and 13's greater use of piano. Samples do this album no justice. For those who are fans of Radiohead and/or Mix Master Mike, chances are you'll love this album and many of the others that follow.

first instrumental hip hop album i had ever heard and all i gotta say is SUPPORT DJ Shadow and BUY this album
Hip Hop classic and to think that Shadow made this in like 96 is amazing.
Tracks to listen to =

Building Steam With a Grain of Salt
What Does Your Soul Look Like, Pt. 4
Stem/Long Stem <----------Mind Blowing
Midnight in a Perfect World
What Does Your Soul Look Like, Pt. 1: Blue Sky Revisit

But f*ck it, all the tracks are worth listening to

My absolute fav CD in the whole world! Oakenfold at his best! A must buy.

Mesmerizing, Fantastic, Soul Enriching Trance that encapsulates an era passed. Eat a Mitzubishi and relive the glory. If you have the ability to purchase this box set, do so. It is worth it's weight in gold.

No amount of hyperbole can accurately describe or capture how truly amazing this double disc is. The discs are effortlessly fluid, taking you on journey down the corridors into the world of trance. More importantly, you feel like you are actually standing on the groundfloors of Cream and witnessing Michaelangelo sculpt David. From the lightness of Summersault to the dark corners of Nightmare to the boiling energy of The Prophet, this compilation will leave you in awe. If you've never heard Oakenfold and have been wondering what the hype was about from '98-'00, this compilation will convince you that the "hype" was well-deserved.

I love this cd. I bought it when i heard him for the first time on this cd's cd release tour. I just had to go buy it. It is head and shoulders above 100% of all trance albums of that era. Some people have remarked that he just played songs off Oakies' Tranceport, but this cd came out 10 months before Oakies'.

Do you remember that feeling that you had when you got your first kiss, had that first krush, snuck out of the house for the 1st time and got away with it, the afterglo after your first big 'O'.........."with another person"..;-)), well this is the music equivalent. So for the purist and novice alike BUY this classic and re-live those long forgotten vibes or create new ones. ;-))

***AHHH, U GUYZ...I HOPE SOMEONE DANG READS THIS--> I'VE HAD THIS C.D. & KNEW IT WAS KIMBALL BUT IT WAS BURNED FOR ME LONG AGO SO I JUST SPENT 2 HOURS - FOR YOU ALL - FINDING IT JUST SO I CAN RECOMMEND IT TO Y O U !!!! TEN YEARS I'VE LISTENED TO EVERY KIND OF TECHNO IMAGINABLE, WENT TO HUNDREDS OF RAVES "BACK IN THE DAY!", SEEN 'EM ALL, AND HAVE 1,000,000 C.D.'S, I SWEAR (WELL, ALMOST!), AND LET ME SAY: T H I S IZ THE S-I-I--I-C-K-E-S-T- OF- SICK C.D.'S. IT IS SOOOO ILL, I NEARLY HAVE A HEART ATTACK EVERY TIME I HEAR IT! IT ROCKS BEYOND ROCKS- FROM START TO FINISH, MY GOSH...I CANNOT EVEN TELL YOU. WELL, MAYBE I DID. AGREED, IT IS MY OPINION, AND YES, THESE ARE MY BEATS I LOOOVE TO STEP TO, BUT!-> I HAVEN'T FOUND ANYONE YET WHO DID NOT F R E A K O U T ON HOW FREAKIN' MUCH THIS J-A-A-A-M-S. IF YOU LIKE SOME PUMPIN', MOVIN', BEATZ TO FREAKIN' DANCE YOUR FEET OFF TO, THIS IS IT, MY FRIENDS! IF YOU LIKE THE TWINKLY, FLOATY, TRANCEY-TRANCE, THIS AIN'T FOR YOU!-(althought there's a tiny bit of that. boo. but whatever.) I FEEL BETTER NOW-- NOW YOU BETTER BUY IT!! IT'S WORTH $1,000! MORE! YA HEAR ME???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (GREAT JOB, KIMBALL!!!and 'WHAT'S UP!' FROM A VEGAS GAL WHO WAS THERE W/ YOU AND ROBERT OLEYSECK @ UTOPIA EeeeVERY WEEK & MISS THAT ROOF COMIN' OFF THAT PLACE! REOPEN IT, WOULD YA? OR SOMETHIN! I'LL HELP! :) xoxo! --Katie

For starters, For the other person who said it was cheesy yet good, it appears his review was just written in February 2003. This Kimball Collins ICU Session 1 CD is far from new, therefore the sound isnt the same type of electronic music or trance you would find today. This CD is 5 years old which makes it ancient for electronic music by todays standards. However, despite being 5 years old, it is easily one of the best CD's ever along with Paul Oakenfold's original Tranceport. This is one CD that should not be missing from anyones collection and you can literally pop it into the CD player and crank it without worrying about "happy trance drop outs" found in some of DJ Sammy's shallow club sounds or that of ATB or Alice Deejay.

If you are looking for a great CD to pop in and keep you awake on that long road trip, this is definitely one of those CD's. I consider this album one of my favorites as it, in a way, started my entire love for electronic music. (Track 12-Phase II) was the song that started it all for me. Since then I have managed to collect every single Global Underground, DJ Tiesto, Oakenfold, Seb Fontaine and many more. This Kimball Collins is still considered great, even among the artists and label runnings I just named.

This CD was released in 1998!!!! Can you believe it? It's amazing how marvelous this CD sounds today. Buy this CD for Hybrid's Kill City and turn it up REAL LOUD (make sure you have a good subwoofer or you'll blow out your speakers like I did), your hypothalomus will thank you. Sounds a little different than the track on Wide Angle, haven't yet decided which I like better.

Marching powder is excellent. And Psychout is good. And "Ya Yae Ya Yo Yo Yo" (what the???) is, despite the weirdness, an excellent trance track. Most importantly, NO STINKERS, so you can listen all the way through without cringing.

Its not even worth rating any other GU productions. This is easily the best. Budapest was another great one as well. Warren finds flows naturally. In an industry of 80 billion DJ's, very few can make magic the way this guy can. A natural.

Okay, it is almost 2005. it's getting harder to still enjoy trance techno for a lot of techno listeners. people are getting pickyier with the music and want more out of it than the so called " cheese " is providing them with.
This cd here is we'll going older everyday and it's certainly not young. But.... who the hell cares. It's so good. Starts off solid on disc one with a surprizingly not even dated sound. It's packed full of energy, and more than sounding brazilian, it to me sounds like im in India.. But not in a Goa techno kinda way. Only gets better and certainly never lets you down.... gets good all the way towards the end of disc one and instead of boiling down and getting tired, nick brings you tranceillusion... which is packed with energy.. leads you wanting more, and wait there is more, another whole disc. Rock on. alright disc 2 is just as good as disc 1 only to me disc 1 sounds a little less dated and to me it feels more like a feel of what nick warren is about. it's just all based upon opinion really because some poeple like disc 2 better than 1 and vice versa. Disc 2 to me has more of an oakenfold track selection like on tranceport... but doesn't loose nick's way of mixing.. it's really pretty brilliant. But, if you like stuff like digweed than your more than likely gonna want more of disc 1 than two... anyways ( jeeze im just rambling now) if you don't have this in your collection and you are a techno listener than you really are missing out big time. it's in my top 5 GU cds. really, i think you should buy it.

I have been a fan for years, and have been incredible disapointed in alot of his most recent releases. But that was all taken away when I got a hold of this CD-double set. The first CD is very good, but the second (dear lord) - it completely blew me away. I can only compare it to Northern Exposures 3, and I actualy think this is better. I have had this CD for 5 months and I have played it so many times the CD is actual wearing away...

In my opioion it's a must have...

I think I left my body at some point...

F A N T A S T I C N S M O O T H

I honestly believed that GU's San Francisco set cannot be matched ... SASHA [has] proved it can be done [again]. The unpolluted dancefloors were again teased by the non-commercial, melodic journey trance set by the man himself... IBIZA: CD 01 is just the warm-up... Sasha has yet touched the finest in his record selection as displayed in CD 02. BUCKLE DOWN and Prepare for the IBIZA FLIGHT. SASHA is at the decks. *As a Dj myself, he is why I play the progressive sounds of true trance in Los Angeles, CA. THANK YOU!

Lets rate the label not the tracks. The label, as it stands, is on the up and up, introducing the best aritsts that jazz-core and hip hop (REAL HIP HOP, NOT LUDACRIS) have to offer. The problem, is that this compilation only lets you get your feet wet in the ocean that this label has to offer. Tracks by Amon Tobin, Saul Williams, Kid Koala KILL the rest of the cd. I would honestly reccommend this compilation to those who are ready to dive into some deeper music, it's the perfect introduction into the world of electrojazz and tru hip hop heads. Heavy and hard, this one carries. Just know that this compilation is mearly a cliff note in the world of the tunes of the ninja. Ninja tune reprazent.

Xen Cuts is basically a compilation of music from different musicians from the Big Dada and Ninjatune label. It's a great showcase of all the labels have to offer and is almost like like gourmet dish of different foods to sample before you decide to buy them on your own. The tracks range from trip hop to hard acid jazz (I love Clifford Gilberto's tracks) and some lyrically sound hip hop tracks. With as many musicians as they have, a lot of the tracks are well done. Granted, I would be hard pressed to find all the tracks appealing, the ones that are give birth to a sense of style that each of the musicians have thoroughly developed through the years and deserve the recognition that they get for their respective genres.
The hip hop tracks are nicely done, the Big Dada Sound track is a highlight just because it features some big name (well, relatively speaking) that all collaborate on one track. It's the perfect high-bass track for any bloke rolling out on the town one evening. The acid jazz tracks are spectacular, especially the clifford gilberto. The tracks leave you drenched in saturation, and push you towards the epiphany of "This is *real* acid jazz". The drum n bass tracks are alright, besides Amon Tobin, it's not really a genre that the labels are known for producing, but some of the d n b tracks are enjoyable. Overall, there are some tracks that pale, while others that embody their respective genre in full. But for the price, it's all good.

Live kid Koala cuts! Rare 'Revelution won't happen bwt these thighs' track and many others. Dude, get it. You gotta.

Ok let me start off and say that this entire cd is dope,and flows to perfection.There are not many breaks cd's I can let play all the way through,because there is usually bits of boredom and dullness in between tracks,however;this is a huge exception.This is by far Icey's best and one of the best dance albums ever released.This albums full of electro and funky breaks,afterall thats what Icey is well known for."Essential Mix"will make you bust a move on the dancefloor,or keep driving for days,because you'll get lost in the incredible music.If there's one breaks cd besides Baby Anne's "Bass Queen in the Mix 1"I'd recommend it'd definetly be this one.What are you waiting for,go get it.

i bought this cd after a recommendation based on previously purchased cds. it was so cool to hear some of the samples as it reminded me of a younger time. i've never heard dj icey's mixes before, but after this purchase, i won't hesitate to give him another try.

there were lots of good breaks and beats. good music for driving fast.

Buy this cd, every track on here is awesome. This was the first breaks cd i listened to, I still get goosebumps listening to KayCees-Escape.

I've never had the pleasure of seeing Junior mix live so I'm reviewing this as a person that's only heard his cd's. Since most people didn't hear him do his thing live in NYC clubs, this review may apply to the average non-NYC resident. This cd set is strictly underground (stuff you'll never ever hear on the radio), so if you're looking for some "popular" house music you should probably look elsewhere. That said, this is an excellent addition to any house collection. The beats are booming and flow together nicely with a kinda Trance tone. In summary, the best way I can describe this 2CD set is that, the music won't make you run to the dancefloor but if you're already out there this mix will keep you dancing. The only selection that would force me to put down a drink and run to the dancefloor is "Fly Life" by Basement Jaxx. Other than that there are no real hits in this set. It's not a CD set to define house music by, but is certainly a nice "addition" to an already existing collection.

Disc 1 is mostly for the dark, repetitive tribal lovers. As if to prove how boring some of these songs can be, some tracks last for only a minute or two. Basically, I woke up at track 15, and from there to 18, there was something worth dancing to.

Disc 2 gathers some great tracks, including some junior exclusives. The main reason to get this ENTIRE disc is for the brilliant Junior mix of Cher's Sun Ain't Gonna Shine in its full length. I only wish he had done that with some of the other exclusives on here, rather than giving us short versions of say, Deborah Cox, and then giving us near 10 minutes of the commercially available Dolly Parton. And what's worse, you think junior would have clean versions of his own mixes. Who Do You Love and Sun Ain't Gonna Shine are both plagued by pops in the vinyl. This is tragic, especially considering these were not released commercially. Even so, this is the only place to get Cher, so put up with the pops at the beginning of the song and just enjoy the mix. Track times are:

CD1

1. magic orgasm (4:16)
2. Meet her at the love parade (5:08)
3. The lightning (3:06)
4. Annihilate (5:20)
5. Dreamers (8:29)
6. The build up (5:28)
7. voodoo drums (:23)
8. Elements (5:28)
9. Stellar funk (:49)
10. Men beat their men (2:14)
11. Future is overrated (1:59)
12. The future (5:25)
13. Music (2:58)
14. To the rhythm (4:52)
15. Take me higher (4:56)
16. Do it again (5:43)
17. Fly life (6:17)

CD2

1. come together (5:47)
2. Monk.e dreams (4:29)
3. Away (5:05)
4. Until the day (5:07)
5. Ain't no need to hide (5:46)
6. Din dad a (3:35)
7. Who do u love (5:17)
8. Drama (3:36)
9. kiss you all over (5:15)
10. reasons for living (3:43)
11. One more night (3:57)
12. Peace train (9:42)
13. Sun ain't gonna shine anymore (8:25)
14. Beautiful day (8:01)

Vasquez's innovative perception of what music should sound like. His twisted and creative talent has made this a must own to any techno/club head!

I try to make it a policy not to review a CD unless I have had it for a few years. I did not immediately appreciate 4109. Having gotten interested in the Shadow, Tobin, Grooverider, Metalheadz label, et al years ago, I picked this up on a whim. It is much darker, on the whole, than some of his other albums, which for some reason I didn't expect and thus it took some time to grow on me. But it is truly a beautiful mix of beats and sounds - mesmerizing, tight, twisted, wonderful all at the same time.

The decision to blend a variety of styles together is, I think, what gives the album its versatility. Krush's own tracks, such as 10-No More, are musically genius if somewhat disturbing, with synth-bass-heavy lines that you can feel in your bones contrasted with funky, ethereal, asia-influenced melodies. And woven in with his tracks are equally haunting ones by Cam, Jazzanova, or the lyrical 14-Final Home, with Esthero.

A classic in every sense of the word.

This is simply the best dj mix ever put to digital format, precise, subtle, smart and simply beautiful. This is hip-hop at its core, the heart of tokyo, a living legend shows that you dont have to do a million crab scratches per hour to be a technical and powerful hip-hop dj. Every mix is flawless, and if you throw on a pair of headphones and listen, you will soon see that never have you heard a mix like this one, and all who own it after listening multiple times will hear small little subtle things krush does that you didnt realize last time you listened.. A true milestone and should have a place in every serious music fans collection....


I cant even do this one justice with any words I write, the CD is a canvas and Dj Krush has painted "the masterpeice".

this was the first krush album i purchased and it didn't dissapoint. original, creative, innovative, and everything in between. varying styles in each song yet the same 'krush' element stays the same, this album is for sure a must buy for any dj/hiphop/instrumental fan.

OK, I posted this once and it didn't go through. So I guess that I am going to have to make this quick. While not many people know Seaman because he deals mainly is Aus., one of the fist sets I heard if him was GU: Buenos aires. I can agree on a few aspects on what others said. The tracks are a bit aged, even for '99 at the time. HOEVER, I must say he threw down some bombe ass vinly. I used to be a HUGE Trance-Head, and then I got into progy tech house, electro breaks and drum & bass; however, I can NEVER refuse a great Trance DJ when I hear him. Since I have seen most live greats live sets such as: Tiesto, Ferry Corsten (also known earlier as System F.) Paul Van Dyk, Oakenfold, Markus Shultz, Acosta, Messiah, Picotto, Taucher, Talla2 XLC, Judge Jules, D:Fuse, Edgar V and David Padilla (both are South Beach locals with mad talent).

I agree with all the other AMAZON reviewers that this album is the BEST among all the other GU series, even surpassing Oakenfold, Sasha, Nick Warren, etc. Dave Seaman is underrrated as a DJ perhaps because he doesn't play much internationally like Oakenfold. But when you listen to this album, you will discover your favorite DJ. Of course, his mixing skills are excellent, but, to me, he shines in his choice of music/songs. They are non-repetitive, non-cheesy, up-lifting, head-nodding, classic and new trance tunes. CD 2 is mindblowing, you can listen to that over and over and never get bored of it. I've also bought his Renaissance Awakening CD, which is phenomenal, and Cape Town, also excellent. But, I have to say, GU Buenos Aires is still my favorite--perhaps because this album turned me into a D.Seaman fan.

Dave Seaman is unquestionably one of the best DJs around. His Global Underground release at Buenos Aires proves that his versatility produces music that appeals to the all the likes within electronic music, simultaneously delivering superb track selection that is exclusive of any mainstream anthems. From Dutch Liquid's house-inspired "Rush" and "Smooth Groove" to the trancier "Deep Blue Dream", "Refined Intricacy" and "Tranquility Bay", Seaman creates what he calls "shiny, happy progressive".

I am fan of Digweed's dark, moody house. It seemed hard at the beginning to get adjusted to Buenos Aires, but once you learn to appeciate Seaman's set, you will find out that this is without a doubt one of the best releases from Global Underground. This CD is comparable to Nick Warren's Budapest, as they are both mixed at a fast-paced tempo. Anyhow, Seaman's track selection is superior to Warren's.