Customer Reviews

Mmii

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

MMII, aka 2002 in Roman numerals opens with some lightly mixed analog hi hats and percussion sounds with a whomping sub bass hit. This introduction leads to the soothing melodies of the first track: Pollen - Lonely Planet. A wonderful opener, the tracks name belies whats held inside --- a spaced out melodic ambient stormer to set you up for the mix. The track is a great example of what is contained throughout this mix, beautiful ambient tunes with beats that don't come as an afterthought. While some tracks tracks (Sean Q6 - Thing / Shakespeare's Sister - Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza) ) lean more towards the bouncier club side of the musical spectrum, the majority of the tracks maintain a euphoric moody feel to them. Classics and unreleased and hard to find tracks are dispersed quite evenly throughout the mix.

People find MMII harder to take than many of Digweed's other mixes. It's style seems to tell more about Digweed's love of music than his love of making people wave their hands in the air and rocking a club. Taking a break from club stormers or the latest craze of percussion based tracks ruling the clubs at the moment, Digweed takes not of the importance of melody with great tracks like the unreleased Darren Emmerson mix of Te Quiero by 108 Grand. Israel's hot Flash Brothers make themselves known with four minutes of their track Protect The Senses which provides a subtle mix of percussion and bass heavy synths led out by atmospheric pads. James Holden's beautiful bellfest "I have put out the light" provides the setup and moodchange for the the last two tracks of the mix, which belong to Charlie May. The first, Belong by Spooky, done with his partner in Duncan Forbes is a track littered with tons of variation that shows off the duo's high standards for production. The last, Charlie May's remix of Deep Love by Mandalay slams together filtered trancey chords and beautiful voice swells with a rising bassline to create the perfect track to end a mix with, especially with its twinkly outro sprinkled with rising and falling percussion hits and misceallaneous sounds.

What Digweed has done has not exactly change his style, but show a different side to himself. For me, its the preferred side... atmospheric beautiful tracks, with subtle, deep mixing, and gentle washes of percussion and beats throughout. Some people may not like this side, but hey, he has other cd's, go pick up one of his GU's or a Bedrock mix --- thats what they're for. Many will probably overlook this one as something they aren't used to and will miss out on a very coherently nice mix. Here's to hoping for another one like this!

I'm not quite sure why the editorial review calls this an "off mix". I agree that it is not necessarily his best album, but it is also not without its own charm. This is a more melodic album than Digweed usually puts out, especially over the first half, which is given a pretty mellow and relaxed feeling. The mix picks up speed later on, in what are some of the smoothest track transitions of any Digweed album. The energy builds to a point that by the end of the album I was left wanting more, especially with there being only one disc. I was impressed however that he used some more "classic" tracks, such as 108 Grand's "Te Quiero", and "Black Sky" by Shakespear's Sister. Both are from the early 90's but fit perfectly with the style of the album, and meld together with the more recent selections. I would give the album 5 stars if it were a standout mix, but I give 4 because it is still excellent but on a par with what Digweed normally puts out. I recommend this for any Digweed veterans as well as any newcomers. Enjoy!

I have always held a slight bias against John Digweed. His skill is supreme; there isn't a DJ on the planet who can mix tracks like this man can. But when it comes to track selection, Diggers has always left me cold. His GU Hong Kong CD is a perfect example of this: incredible mixing, awful, boring, unmusical songs, a seamless mess of beats and random noise. I thought without Sasha to provide some direction (the entire Northern Exposure collection is phenomenal), J. Digweed was tone-deaf.

I was wrong.

Borrowing this CD from my roommate, I sat down, open-air Sennheisers on, homework open, and pressed play on my CD player. And opened my player up to double-check that it WAS in fact a John Digweed CD I was falling in love with.

Moving without being cheesy, subtle without being dark, this CD breaks barriers in terms of excellence. It's definately not a dance CD, but in the realm of chilled electronica, it has no equal.

If you're looking for the most perfected chill mix ever, one that will live in your CD player for months, trade in your money for MMII. If you're a fan of Northern Exposure, this CD is heavenly. If you're a fan of GU Hong Kong, you've come to the wrong place. Short of raving endlessly, there isn't anything left to say about this CD.

Full disclaimer: I'm not a trance fanatic, and up until now; I've never been a fan of John Digweed.

I listened to most of the first track, and scanned through the rest of this mix at a record store listening booth. It didn't jump out at me, but it was on sale and I was in the mood for something different, so I bought it.

I've listened to this cd about eleven times in the last four days and the stand out track, for me, is "Dust" by Pole Folder and CP, with it's subtle and moody vocals, and haunting and melodic production. It really sets the tone for the entire mix, which builds to a sublime and emotional climax by the time it gets to the remix of Shakespeare's Sister's "Black Sky".

I was amazed to read the bad reviews by the, apparently, hardcore Digweed fans. If you want a beautiful, moody, and chill mix to listen to while driving around at night: ignore the bad comments and pick this baby up. You won't regret it.

Forget those lame reviews talking about how Digweed sold out. This is a DJ that was asking 8000$ for a booking when his cohorts (Sasha for example) were asking for twice that EASILY. This guy is in it for the nod, not the loot. Diggy proves with MMII that he's still doing what he always has been. Making a flawless mix. There is a reason even DJ's that don't LIKE progressive like John.
While it is a bit of a departure, I think if you've heard his earlier Northern exposure pieces, you'll find this somewhat of a comforting return to roots, while still being progressive. It's rather like a train collision between a drum machine and a good session of public radio ambient (think northern exp. # 1 for track 2!)
I am biased though, I see this guy every chance I get in Chicago. If you get the chance, go, although his shows are less and less intimate, it's still a living DJ legend. Maybe it's that he's one of the few DJ's to make such beautiful music you want to cry out of joy, I can't say. This album definitely gets the nod. We love you John.

I've never written a review before, but this album is such a musical masterpiece that I must emphasise its significance to the dance genre! I bought it a few months ago and every time I listen to it, its music grows on me. Digweed shows how much he has matured over the years and explores new horizons in dance music by delivering a really progressive and dub house mix, with brilliant spacey melodies that come and go, taking you to a magical journey through electronica.

Before I start I need to mention that it is different than his previous mixes, much different.

MMII introduces itself with a really nice chill-out track, which brings a smile on your face, and suddenly the transition to the absolutely superb and deeply atmospheric "Dust" by Pole Folder & CP will definitely alert you. That track was my favourite when I first listened to this album. "Mooger Fooger" has a beautiful melody, which in combination with some breakbeat sets the dance mood. The next track is a transition to a more dancy feeling to the mix. And now the mix becomes better and better and better. "Protect the Sense" sets the pace and you realise that you have to start dancing! Which brings us to the remix of ex-Underworld Darren Emerson of "Te Quiero"... that song, is freaking good. Simply awesome. Its melody is unique, seriously. It is a really progressive tune... it progresses throughout its 9-minute duration. But it doesn't stop here. My ultra favourite tune is the next one "Black Sky". Remember that tune... it is grand, a real work of art, one of my best tunes ever. The vocals in it are amazing. And there is more... "I Have Put Out The Light" by the always consistent James Holden. That man is a genius. And then there is "Belong", which is class. The mix finishes with "Deep Love" which has a more trancey melody, perfect to end a flawless mix.

All in all, you ought to buy this album whatever your musical taste and listen to it carefully. Maybe the first time won't do it for you, but I guarantee, it will grow on you. I would rank it among the top ten mixes... make no mistake.

Mixing: 5 stars
Track Selection: 5 stars

The man never ceases to amaze me. Its nice to know after all this time he hasnt sold out to what the general population think is "good music". Digger's musical style is a landmark, unfaltering and unchanged throughout time.

The style shown in this album is a more mellow digweed, but everything still sounds magnificent and dig-like. This sound is a blend of the more reminiscent NE 1&2 and a funky robo-vibeness. "108 Grand", "Black Sky", "Belong" and "Of Course" are my personal favorites. "Lonely Planet" and "I Have Put Out the Light" are good too. The whole damn thing is good. People new to digweed need repeated listens to appreciate this, and i see no reason why any true digger fans wouldnt like MMII. Buy it now!

DEFINITELY not what I expected. I am a big Digweed fan and expected him to pick up right where he left off, LA. You either love this cd or hate it. I respect Digweed because change is difficult and he goes beyond the extreme. He plays what he wants and doesn't cheese out. I listened to this cd over and over again having mixed feelings. Finally I came to the conclusion that I really enjoy it. Digweed picks an interesting track selection. Flash Brothers' Protect the Sense is great. Digweed's transition from black sky to I have put out the light is amazing. MMII has Spacey house and driving floor tracks. Digweed's manipulation of music helps him create different sounds. He controls the music with long build ups that punch out deep bass and weird soundscapes. This is definitely a diverse mix. Digweed's talent is extraordinary. Like the moon and stars above. I have put out the light.

Normally, when one thinks of John Digweed, one thinks of deep, banging progressive house. Not here. This is Digweed's most somber mix yet, sounding more akin to a Northern Exposure release than any of his Global Underground releases. Digger does pick up the pace about midway through the mix, but this is more of a mood piece than a club mix. And like any mix album, there are some awesome tracks, and there are some stinkers too. Lonely Planet's 'Pollon' has a resonatingly beautiful synth loop that will immediately catch your ear, while Pole Folder & CP's 'Dust' is a beautiful, spacy down-tempo piece with some beautiful vocals and nice ambient washing synths. On the more up-tempo side, James Holden's 'I Have Put Out The Light' is absolutely chilling, while Spooky's 'Belong' has an addictive house groove and a gorgeous female vocal, both of which you'll be humming for weeks. The best track goes to Darren Emerson's phenomenal remix of 108 Grand's 'Te Quiero', with it's multiple layers of beautiful swirling melodies and bouncing beat. The rest of the tracks range from average, to annoying (as in the case of Sean Q6's 'Of Course'). So while this isn't Digweed's best effort, it most certainly isn't bad, and is recommended to anyone who enjoys the more melodic, somber side progressive house.

This mix is amazing! I heard it when it came out and wasn't too impressed cause I was into the more darker tracks Digweed usually plays. On a second listen I realized that there aren't one but two classic early Underworld remixes on here, played back to back and mixed as fluently as Digweed always does. "Te Quiero" is a early Emerson remix (not as good as his first "Gat Decor") and then the next song "Black Sky" is a slow burning Underworld remix that I've had for ages and always wanted to hear mixed on a proper CD. This CD is worth it for these two tracks alone. The rest of these tracks, some old, some new are as compelling and properly placed as any Digweed CD. Buy this, listen to many times...