Search - Sasha & John Digweed :: Northern Exposure 1

An expertly-crafted journey into a dream-like soundscape

10/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The mix CD. Whereas the market is flooded with a bunch of substandard, cookie-cutter, no-name DJ garbage, it's comforting to know that we can always turn to the true masters of the Art. While the pace of Northern Exposure 1 may be a little slower than their individual Global Underground sets (which are also excellent), the technical prowess displayed within this mix by Sasha & Digweed is extraordinary. While listening to it - even when I was paying attention - it was difficult to discern just when they were mixing in the next track and when they weren't. No mistimed beats, no unbalanced mixing levels, no mismatched tracks. The songs blend together so seamlessly that they can't help but stir your emotions. The problem with most of today's mixes is that while they are accurately mixed, they're rarely seamless. This CD belongs in every aspiring DJ's collection, for both inspiration and study of technique.I love both CDs in this set, but if you're more into the faster sound of today's trance mixes, buy the import, since disc 2's considerably faster than disc 1, although expect songs from the mid-90s, as this mix was created in 1996. However, disc 1 has some of the most amazing mixing around to date, and is definitely my favorite of the two, making the purchase of the US release (which doesn't come with disc 2) a great choice regardless... and a more economical one if the import price gives you second thoughts. Bottom line is that if you're a fan of these guys, you already have this set. But if not, click that "Add to Cart" button NOW! You won't be disappointed."

First of a fantastic trilogy

Y. Ronnen | Toronto, CA | 03/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two warnings: 1. This is NOT a trance album, not even a "real" house album. This album takes you more to the chillout side of dance (i.e. Ambient-House). 2. This album is addictive. You may find yourself in a position when you can't click the eject button to take the CD out.Sasha & Digweed are considered to be the most respected and of the most sophisticated DJs today. Listen to this CD and you'll know why.The CD is a chillout mostly, begining with two 'real' ambient tracks (FSOL's "Cascade" is their best track ever) and slowly builds up to a harder beat with tracks like "Obsession" and a fantastic remix for William Orbit's "Water from a vine leaf" (yes, Orbit existed before "Ray of light"). Surprisingly, the tracks begin to mellow down a little towards the end, unusuall for mixed CDs - but puts you in the right mood, with tracks from Apollo 440 and Banco de Gaia (a very fast mix for "Last Train To Lhasa"..). One thing that I must mention : This is only half of the story. This edition (the US edition) contains only one CD! I have the UK (original) edition that comes with two CDs. The second CD is a bit more trance like, but is as good as the first. I wonder why they sell it a single CD here (probably to sell two seperate CDs and make more money)."

Arguably one of the best DJ albums . . . ever

TheGringo | Eugene, Oregon United States | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simply incredible. There is no way to describe this album without using the word incredible. Listening to this cd from start to finish can be one of the most relaxing moments in your life, or can be one of the most intense moments just as easily. DJs Sasha and Digweed, two geniuses, have so flawlessly mixed songs together that you can't tell where one stops and the other starts. Every track compliments each other in a unique and superb way, in a way that is beyond description. Each track was so carefully picked out that for the first two years that i owned this album i thought the whole CD was all created by the same electronic music artist. Just as any symphony or jamband gig would have you looking at the album as a whole composition of elements, Northern Exposure forces you to focus on its layout in terms of track composition. Simply amazing, I have no more words that i could use to describe the experience I have when listening to this album."