Another masterful mix from the best electronic music compilation series ever!!! I really like how the Global Underground's are evolving and testing new boundaries.

Nick Warren's new GU from Reykjavik, Iceland is nothing short of spectacular. I remember a year ago around this time when I met him and he stressed how the music scene must keep a sense of originality and innovativeness. Since his fantastic set at Buzz, DC that night, I've been eagerly awaiting this new compilation. I'm glad to say that my high expectations for this mix have been surpassed. It is a departure from any of his previous cd's for the series or anyone else's for that matter.

Disc one swoons with an arctic chill of beautifully melodic ambient breaks and swirling melodies. The CD has lots of eclectic new soundscapes with a tantalizing progression and functional, beat-driven end. There's some 80's funk, intermingled with piano melodies, electronic strings, and hypnotic break beats. The vocals throughout the cd are used as a musical accessory that has a relagated role of driving the mood onward. It ends on with a powerful signoff in Grayarea's fantastic heavy piano breaks smash "Yewminyst"

Disc two is more dancefloor oriented, yet equally enjoyable in every other environment. Excellently programmed and filled with quality tracks that range from new tribal and funky trance-tinged beats to deep and progressive house and trance tunes, this disc has a sublime flow from beginning to end. The bassline undertones on so many tracks lull softly yet forcibly throughout your senses. Warren has crafltily created a liquid ensemble of tracks that meld together in a storybook fashion. On so many occasions you just can't help but silently fall in awe of the mixing and the superb track selection.

This compilation is definitely shaping up to be the first great CD of 2003. I highly recommend getting your copy as soon as it's released.

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