Involver

Sasha

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 5, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Involver
• ASIN: B00020H9ZW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,672 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Grandnational - Talk Amongst Yourselves

2. Shpongle - Dorset Perception

3. Petter - These Days

4. UNKLE - What You Mean To Me

5. The Youngsters - Smile

6. DJ Spooky - Belong

7. UNKLE - In A State

8. Lostep - Burma

9. Felix Da Housecat - Watching The Cars Go

10. Ulrich Schauss - On My Own

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Pure, weightless elegance, Involver is true to its title, as Sasha comes up with a mesmerizing stunner. Two years after the lukewarmly received artist record Airdrawndagger, the Welsh waxman and frequent John Digweed co-collaborator has retreated into remix territory, but with a twist. In an effort to meld songwriting ambition with his feather-light touch behind the decks, 10 stellar tracks were totally remade in-studio, not just blended together. The result sounds livelier than dagger, putting Sasha's superb instinct for dance flow to work. Still, despite the presence of Felix Da Housecat's "Watching Cars Go By" stomper, it's a very even record; themes patiently recede and resurface from the bubbly bottom of the mix. The warm, warbling melody from Petter's "These Days," for example, reappears long after you think it's vanished for good, lifting U.N.K.L.E.'s "What Are You to Me?" into hypno-dance orbit. Songs like Spooky's "Belong" and Lostep's "In a State" breathe the same air, rising and falling with interlocking rhythmic poetry. It's a daze of a record, ideal company for moody afternoons spent staring up at wispy clouds and vapor trails. –Matthew Cooke

Product Description

Sasha is back!!! Dance music’s most respected and recognizable icon returns to the label that made him an international household name with a concept album so fresh and inventive that it completely recalibrates the notion of what is cool in popular music.

"Involver" meets the listener smack at the point where Sasha’s 2002 artist album "Airdrawndagger" and the future of electronic music collide. He is the DJ that rode in on a tidal wave of adoration from the North of England's explosive early 90’s club scene and has for the last 10+ years consistently sold out every venue, festival, and club that has been honored to witness his legendary performance abilities. And now "Involver" emerges. This is Sasha’s first mix compilation in nearly five years and his first full length release since "Airdrawndagger." It is unlike any album that has ever been released in that it completely and perfectly integrates the concept of the DJ mix compilation and the standard Producer/Artist album. Every single track on this album is an original Sasha remix, re-creation or production that has been exclusively recorded as an original piece for this project. He called upon some of his closest friends and peers including Felix Da Housecat, UNKLE, Spooky, and Ulrich Schnauss and asked for permission to recreate, especially for this album, one or more of their songs and they all agreed. In essence, Sasha has become the embodiment of what it means to be "involved" in electronic music on every level. Quite purely, he has taken on a new persona; integrating the DJ and the Producer, he is now the INVOLVER.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Involved, December 14, 2005

By	Marcelo Pinto "GMx" (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the electronic music world, a remix is something exceedingly usual. It is quite common for DJs to pick up a song from a peer and remix it. Sasha dared to choose some songs that were already acclaimed and revamped them into a single remixed set. The result is delightful - It feels like a concept album, although the original songs do not have that much in common. It must be said that this album is not for dancing, and it differs alot from Sasha's previous work (don't expect and airdrawndagger 2.0 here) - Some people didn't like the change - I personally think this is plain evolution. You can just hit the play button on your stereo and dive into 75 minutes of pure electronic joy. I recommend this for everyone, even those who are not really into the genre.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Northern Exposure Reborn, August 15, 2004

By	h0bbes (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

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Sasha seduces the listener with his uncanny production and mixing skills. "Involver" brings forth some of the elements in the original "Northern Exposure" compilation, albeit with considerable refinement and finesse. Every note in "Involver" is carefully placed with the intent of creating a certain atmosphere and to evoke emotion. It is a rich tapestry of delicate, ephemeral sounds underpinned by solid bass-lines.

One is gently drawn into the album with the otherworldly beginning of Grand National's "Talk Amongst Yourselves". The aural fog clears about two minutes into the track, which is when the beats start in earnest. With tasteful vocals and ensnaring melody, this remix of "Talk Amongst Yourselves" is bound to become the favourite of many. The pace then ramps up a bit with the balearic notes and haunting vocalisations of Shpongle's "Perception". The use of acoustic guitars in this track certainly makes for an interesting listen. Like a dying ember, "Perception" slowly burns out, giving way to Petter's "These Days". This version sharply contrasts with the original mix featured in James Holden's "Balance 005" compilation, consisting of austere, melancholy and bittersweet tones. "These Days" is then skillfully entwined with the introspective lyrics of UNKLE's "What Are You to Me?". This is where I usually find myself tapping the <REPEAT> button. "These Days" and "What Are You to Me?" are, in my humble opinion, absolute gems. These tracks affect one in a similar way that God Within's "Raincry" and Rabbit in the Moon's "Out of Body Experience" did in the original "Northern Exposure".

The dreamscape extends forward with "Smile" and "Belong", the latter being absolute bliss. The remix of UNKLE's "In A State" is a jawdropper; totally different from the original. Lostep's "Burma" is simply sublime, with catchy breakbeats, strong synths and distant vocals. The flow then takes a sudden turn with Felix da Housecat's "Watching Cars Go By". Kitschy, '80s electropop... not really my cup of tea, but it still makes for a good listen. The shortcomings of this track are made up with Ulrich Schnauss' "On My Own". Totally awesome, and an excellent finish to a near perfect album.

Some people may be turned off by the fact that "Involver" has absolutely no trance. True, but trance really isn't where Sasha dwells. Trance falls squarely into John Digweed's area of expertise. Sasha is better known for sets that are smooth, full-bodied and otherworldly in sound. Compare his GU:013 compilation with Digger's GU:014, and you will tell the difference in style.

"Involver" is by no means an extension to "Airdrawndagger". It is, however, a solid compilation comprised of elegant and enjoyable remixes of contemporary tunes. "Involver" is one of those rare albums that has the potential of becoming a classic.
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, April 2, 2005

By	Catherine Gallanti "www.cosmicessence.com" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have never been a great fan of Sasha, but I found this CD fabulous. My boyfriend bougth it around Christams and I have been listening to it on and off for three months. What I like about it is the mood that it creates throughout and the subtlelty of the composition. This is obviously not a dance CD, but a CD to listen to and enjoy. Tracks from various artists are used but remixed in such a way that it feels as if the whole CD is just one song developing different themes, as the sounds and feel of it remain constant throughout. And I think this is what makes it so reflective and pensive. The music is also very delicate and beautiful. I really felt I had gone through an emotional journey by the time the last track eneded. And yet this is not your usual trance nor the usual house. It has a nice subtle and unique quality about it that liftes it out of the genre. I really enjoyed it and I think it is soon becoming one of my personal favorites.