Let's talk about Global Underground (RFD, S/D, C/D, etc.)

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I like the series. I have about five of them. Since I like dance music but not to the extent that I actually by singles, mix CDs are pretty much the best way to go i think. The GU cds are better in quality than some of the other mix cds i have heard, they give you a lot of stuff (2 discs), easy to find promos in my area, and they generally cover the areas of dance i like best (trance, techno, a bit of house). I have Oakenfold: New York, Sasha: SF, Digweed: LA (i think), Danny Tenaglia: Athens, and Emerson: Singapore. Are they still maknig these? Any opinions on the various releases?

― g, Tuesday, 12 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Sasha San Fransisco is the best in my opinion. That or the Sander Kleinenburg Nu Breed.

I've liked a lot of the GU releases, but the degree of obsession people have with them is scary. There are message boards out there where people will debate over their favorite first 11 seconds of track 11 on any GU album. I am not making this up.

They're made by a Newcastle based label called Boxed. I know they're working on something with Steve Lawler. Their biggest flaw was going too far down the 'feel my tribal drum patterns' route of tribal/ progressive house with no tunes. They took a lot of flack for the whole 'prog is boring' movement too. I'm not going to judge until I hear it, but I have a terrible feeeling the Lawler thing will go this way.

― Anna, Tuesday, 12 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i think the sasha one is the best to. He is a great DJ. I was at a party in LA a few years back that he did. Yeah, he stuck to your basic trance sounds, not very adventurous maybe, but great dance/drug music.

― g, Tuesday, 12 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I liked them, not my music personally but they used to be pretty good starting points when I had to train young jedi masters at how dance didnt have to be mainstream pap. We're only allowed a small percentage of songs that have made top 40 (ever) so for those just getting into dance it can be pretty rough ride. It was fun to watch those who got it just explode and run wild after a few weeks. Though I failed to make any Stereolab converts in the process. Sigh now Im just the bitter old goat.

― Mr Noodles, Thursday, 14 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I know exactly what Anna is talking about, I've been a regular there. She has first hand knowledge of the GU message board as well. hehe yes they are still making GUs. No forseeable end in sight, either. As long as there is a bunch of people out there craving the latest mix from their favorite prog DJs, GU will exist. I believe the next one is Dave Seaman....he's done two already but as I like what he plays, I'm all for it! Bring it on!

― patrick, Friday, 15 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I would say that the best representation of the series is Global Underground 014: Hong Kong by Digweed. It's tough and percussive in some places, but doesn't lose the tunes completely. Also, of course, as it's a Digweed mix the mixing and programming are top-flight. Check out the progression on CD#1 from Luzon - The Baguio Track into Cevin Fisher - Music Saved My Life to Jean Phillipe Aviance - Useless.

― patrick, Friday, 15 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

eight years pass...

any more thoughts on these? listening to the tony de vit one now, and it reminds me of stuff I'm hearing whenever i go out to dance these days.

― Dominique, Monday, 23 August 2010 21:13 (fourteen years ago)

nine years pass...

It is a shame what happened to Global Underground. The founders, the "Boxed boys" sold the rights to the series years ago (to Ministry of Sound, IIRC). The releases which have appeared since, especially in the last decade, are sporadic and all over the place stylistically. I can only assume that any DJ who wants to create a fancy mix CD for his own career and promotional purposes, can just pay for the rights to call it a Global Underground volume.

― Melomane, Monday, 13 April 2020 15:18 (five years ago)

three years pass...

The YouTube channel Super Progressive is worth checking out for GU fans. Lots of investigational reports and interviews with the DJs involved. Answers questions I had going back to the 1990s.

Reawakens my interest in this music and I’d like to head to a club and hear a set. But I think clubs have changed since the days of “be yourself” and “everyone come together” values, and I’m not sure a single man in his forties with no particular charisma is going to be allowed in.

― Melomane, Sunday, 30 July 2023 21:24 (one year ago)

^^ haha u forgot the djs tho

― the late great, Monday, 31 July 2023 01:50 (one year ago)

apologies to all british progressive djs named after apostles

― the late great, Monday, 31 July 2023 01:51 (one year ago)

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