Customer Reviews

Northern Exposure II: East Coast

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow! And I really mean it! If you want to know why Sasha & Digweed are the most respected (and successful) DJs in the world, listen to this CD.

This CD shows how a good DJ can create a set that will put you in a trance (eventhough it's a chillout album, not trance) just by building the atmosphere around you as the music moves along.

The mixes are amazing, you can't really know when one track ends and the next starts, but the songs are totaly different from each other. The album begins with mellow sound of Gus Gus and Phurry Phreaks (it's Chicane, actually...) and moves to a harder beats like Uberzone (a killer track) and hybrid.

Another thing, most of the tracks on this album were remixed by these master DJs, so even if you have the original tracks and remixes, they do not sound the same.

The whole of this album is much more than the sum of its parts. It's, without no doubt, one of the most wonderful albums I've ever heard. Just close your eyes and start floating.

You probably see that the avarage rate for this album is 5 stars. So I'm not the only one who think that about this album. BUY IT!

The follow-up to Sasha & John Digweed's Northern Exposure does not disappoint. Similar to Vol. 1, the UK and US versions were released differently. Whereas Northern Exposure 2 was released as a single, two CD set in the UK, the US version was split into separate releases, or different editions: the West Coast and East Coast editions. Don't be fooled however, they are completely different sets with different tracks. And both are absolutely essential purchases!

The East Coast edition is a gorgeous down tempo/break beat mix in the same vein as NE1. The mood and atmosphere is different however. Whereas NE1 was earthy, organic, and spiritual, NE2 East Coast edition is jazzier, funkier, more melancholic, and near the end, more euphoric. The mix starts off phenomenally with an ultra chilly mix of Gus Gus' "Believe", which perfectly segues into Chicane's mix of Furry Phreaks' "Soothe". After we're transitioned with Violet's "Burn The Elastic", we're treated to the less memorable funky breaks of Prana's "Geomantik" and Acoustic Hoods "Cycle Of Time". Frontside's "Dammerung" brings a more serious tone back with its beautiful melancholic melody, which sets up for the mixes first and last 4/4 numbers. The trickling melody of Doi-Oing's "Blue" perfectly sets-up Spooky's classic "Little Bullet, Pt 1". The version included here is even better than the original with washing synths and several layers melody that bring the album to it's first peak.

Having already reached heaven 8 tracks in, the funky breaks of Uberzone's "Botz" is dropped bringing the mix back to the earth before slowly climbing back up with some of the most euphoric electronic tracks ever recorded. The tinkley melody of Fluke's "Reeferendrum" builds perfectly into Lost Tribe's gorgeous "Angel" (incorrectly listed as "Distant Voices" on the back cover), which out of nowhere turns into Gus Gus' mid-tempo masterpiece, "Purple". The final track, Hybrid's "Symphony" is perhaps the most emotional electronic music I've ever heard. A perfect closer to a near perfect album.

While perhaps not as strong as NE1 (the one disc American version), the East Coast Edition of NE2 does not disappoint. The weak moments are when the mix goes for the more abrasive, funky numbers, but in the scope of the album as a whole and it terms of setting up the more serious melodic songs, they work. Progressive house and trance fans may find this album lacks the dance floor appeal of other mixes. This shouldn't deter you from purchasing this album. Unless you despise melody, this is an essential pick-up for every electronic music fan's collection.

Before I start, I have to say I am apprehensive about even writing a review for this album. I fear that any words, no matter how exemplary they would be, would not be enough credit to convey to you all how good this album really is. In short, the best thing would be just to say buy it and see for yourself. However I cannot just simply do so.

The art of mixing is a tough one to grasp. It takes an extensive collection (something that takes a lot of time and money), an intuitive ear for the music, raw talent and practice to perfection on the turntables, motivation as well as innovation, and a keen understanding of the environment that you are creating the work for. This album has it all in one big conglomerate packed into some plastic that runs approximately 70 minutes long.

I own the whole Northern Exposure series and have listened to them all quite extensively. This piece of work, however, is a true exposure to the whole genre of electronica. Elements of ambient, house (mainly progressive), trance, as well as drum and bass can all be found on this masterpiece.

Prollific DJs Sasha and John Digweed are definelty masters at their work. However, when these two come together to collaborate on their next work, it is justifiable to expect something extraordinary. I first heard this album on the way back from rochester, after hearing an aquaintance spin some records. I expressed my gratitude and he gave me a a copy of this saying "if you enjoyed these tunes, then you'll love this! And by the way, play it really loud on the way home." Following his advice, I wasn't prepared for the really elated feeling I was about to have. When Soothe hits in with that real sexy forefront vocal sample: "You ask me, how can you set me free, and I tell you, it's so easy...", and then that fluttering little bouncy beat comes in (a beautiful transition), it simply just takes off there and never looks back. I felt like a flood of seratonin had just overflowed my brain and I coasted on that the whole way back.

This mix separates the boys from the men. It feels like the entire album is one big long peak. The high and low points exist for and because of eachother. A mix should not be thought of as separate tracks, but rather one long track and its componets creating a whole mood or emotion onto you. After "Soothe", the album goes from that fluttering, tickling beat into an almost hip-hop sound. It drives, not too hard, not too soft, it grooves just right so you can nod your head the whole time. The Acoustic Hoods definetly deliver on this next track. I would like to hear the original cut of this track because they tried something real funky and different here, but altogether a very pleasing follow to the more hip hop sound. And like that, there's Frontsides "Dammerung". This is sheer decadence. I have never heard a breakdown that can top this one that these two sterling DJs apply here. The timing is impeccable. "Blue" is an excellent follow-up. It has an airy, soothing, and ambient feel to it that beautifully intros, what I feel to be, a timeless trance classic. Spookys "Little Bullet" brings a smile to my face every time I hear it and I find myself turning up the gain every time it comes on. Flukes "Reeferendum" was a great choice as well. The transition from Gus Gus's "Purple" to Hybrids "Symphony" is indeed perfect, with "Symphony" being the last, although definetly not the least, on this album.

Turning this album off before it's done = BIG mistake. And if you do, grant me the favor of turning down the volume to 0 slowly. I am sure you will enjoy this one as much as I did.

I could give this album 2 pages of sraightforward compliments such as "it is very touching. this is one of the greatest albums i have ever heard" and so on, but i think i will use a bit of creativity. while all of those statements ring true, i think this album deserves more than standard-fare. so here it goes:

do you know when you're listening to a really good album with headphones on and you fall asleep, only to wake up during the last track? you feel so calm, so cool, and the music is sounding sweet as ever. you wish that wasn't the last track, that the album could go on for longer. do you know what i mean? well, that's what all of Northern Exposure 2 East Coast feels like. Even by the latter part of the second track, you are already encompassed in the cool, gliding, sweet rhythms Sasha and Digweed have to offer. few cd's have even had moments that are similar to what this cd serves up for over 70 minutes. You feel the album and you become one together. It's what music is intended to be.

The album starts with Gus Gus's downbeat "Believe" which works surprisingly well preceding the jazzy Chicane remix of Furry Freaks' "Soothe". It starts jazzy, but it breaks down with soothing female vocal samples whispering "close your eyes..." and all the sudden this big break comes in and you're floating in heaven. This is the break from the next track -- Violet and Mantronik's "Burn The Elastic". It mixes for quite a while and then gets mixed again with the warped vocal sample from the following track, Prana's "Geomantik". This is a freaky, choppy, and even a bit funky track that goes along fine with the similar "Cycles Of Time" by The Acoustic Hoods. A sweet synth is brought forth on Frontside's "Dammerung" and a searing effect on Doi-Oing's "Blue".

Starting at track 8, it reaches the level of unbelievable perfection. Spooky's "Little Bullet (Part One)" is nearly a decade old, but remains one of the highlight tracks on the mix. The vocals are just so poignant and the synth so sweet, it's undeniable. Uberzone's "Botz (Synthetik Mix)" follows next with such a banging and driving synth line, slamming with a scary amount of accuracy. Fluke's "Reeferendum" starts out smooth and soft with that nice piano, but breaks into an edgier sound. This suits the next track, Lost Tribe's "Distant Voices (Angel Edit)", quite well. This is a phat track, and the vocal samples are the icing on the cake. This next part is awesome -- the vocals go "lead me to an angel..." and the initial synth line from Gus Gus's "Purple" cues in. This lingers and sways for a while, staying fairly docile, but Sasha and Digweed are about to drop the bomb. Hybrid's "Symphony". This is one of the greatest songs ever made, I swear. My goal in life is to find the vinyl single for this track and have it play during my wedding. That would be the greatest day ever! anyways, this is a VERY VERY sweet song. the strings are SO SO awesome... it streches out to over 12 minutes, but doesn't use one unnecessay note. This track is the definition of perfection, worth the price of the album alone. Yes. Perfect.

No matter what you're into, trance, techno, house, drum n bass, chill/downbeat, or all of the above (like me) you'll cherish this album. ...

This CD was my intro to trance about 2 years ago. I've waited this long to write a review because up until now I didn't know if this CD was as great as I thought it was (nothing to compare it to). But now I am a trance junkie! I listen to a lot of Oakenfold, Sasha, Digweed, Tiesto... This is the best. Not since have I heard something that moves me so much, so often - I never get tired of it becuase the songs used for this mix are not your typical "anthems" that most DJs like to recycle back and forth... The tracks are carefully selected and mixed seemlessly - It's really one long song. The first track takes some getting used because of the vocals but it deffinetly grows on you. Track 3 is from another planet. The rest of the CD is great as well with nothing better than Hybrid's Symphony to end the show - I think this is the track of the Century. Even as far as Sasha & Digweed's other compilation CDs go, they don't come close to comparing to this perfectly produced piece of ART.

I own a decent sized collection of trance / progressive / house CD's; like, even cherish plenty of them. I search for the best of the best. I read the reviews here, but rarely am I inspired to take the time write a review ... unless I discover a true gem. Disks like these are why I fell in love with the genre. Silky smooth flow, quietly pumping groove, perfection that lifts the soul and moves the body. It's spiritual. Forget about limiting boxes to fit music into neatly organized categories - this transcends that, and trancends you. This is what it's all about, brutha. Simply inspiring.

Listen, and trust me on this one: If you have any interest in trance or are even just exploring (as I am), get this disc. It's certainly not expensive as far as CD's go, but it would be well worth twice the price. I'm not going to bother saying anything more than that the last track is quite possibly one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have.

Sasha and Digweed do it again. When I thought nothing could be as good as Northen Exposure I, S&D break out another top-notch progressive mix with NE II. This is the East edition CD and its simply awesome. When you first put this baby in your CD player you're instantly whisked away on a special journey through a lush electronic landscape that only the likes of S&D can create. The track selection is once again superb and needless to say the mixing is out of this world perfect. Do yourself a big favor and listen to this CD as well as the other Northern Exposure albums. The more you listen the more you will truly appreciate them as they only get better with repeated listenings. One final comment is that the last track by Hybrid is perhaps the best track ever to finish off a fantastic set.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Alone these artists are excellent, but together they are pure magic. This mix deserves a place among the best electronic compilations of all time. The brilliant way in which the tracks are mixed is fabulous. The emotions which this mix elicits are VERY powerful. The gentle build flits its way from the ethereal breaks of Gus Gus and Furry Phreaks(Chicane remix)through rare gems into the giants such as Lost Tribe and Hybrid. I cannot tell you how many times this CD has made me look out the window of my car and scream at the top of my lungs because I'm so happy to be alive, or how many times it has brought me to gushes of tears. These DJ's know how to weave a web of magic, let them work some magic on you.

Do yourself a favor, if you don't already own this, buy it now. No, I mean now. This mixCD redrew the boundaries for trance. I'd wager to describe this album as clever, subtle, and sexy. The mixes are smooth, never forced, transitioning perfectly from one track to another without a moment of hesitation --- totally effortless. It works on so many levels and is by far the best Sasha/Digweed comp the pair has put out. It's chill, but not lazy. It's epic, but not in a 4:4-thumping-in-the-face-hands-in-the-air anthemic style (i.e., it's not Oakie's "Tranceport"). The Sasha/Digweed strategy? Instead of throwing those bass-heavy, hard-hitting 4:4 anthems at you, they work a lighter, breakier, and more ethereal sound.

Normally, I'm cautious to grant lauds to the big names, but this mix deserves every bit of it. Enough to make one a believer.