Transitions Vol. 2

John Digweed | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Thrive
• ASIN: B000LXHFPY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,195 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Abyss "Mind Games" (Digweed Cheeky Edit)

2. Abyss "The Dreamer"

3. Chaim EP "Dana" (Guy Gerber Mix)

4. Antena "Camino Del Sol" (Joakim Remix)

5. Williams "The Shivering" (Pitch & Hold In Camera Obscura Remix)

6. Evil Hinko "Gedankenhochsprung" (Babicz Remix)

7. G-Stylz "Belong To Me" (Dub) (Digweed Cheeky Edit)

8. David K "Boul de Nerf"

9. Felix Houzer "Mandolina" (Robert Babicz Rework) (Digweed Cheeky Edit)

10. Dirk Technic "I Love You" (Smallboy Remix)

11. Guy Gerber "Digital Memories"

12. G-Stylz "Can't Get Enough"

13. Dose3 "Minds" (Tobi Neumann Mix)

14. Jackmate "Manray" (Digweed Cheeky Edit)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Does any DJ listen to more music than John Digweed? Hard to say, but the fact that Diggers is known to go through all the music he receives, personally, may have something to do with why he has--perhaps wisely--elected to release a single Transitions disc twice a year (instead of the two-disc compilations that seem to be the norm for other DJs). Not only does this give listeners a snapshot of his ever-evolving mixes, it allows him to capitalize on the fact that, as one of the biggest names in the business, he has access to all sorts of exclusives and upfront tracks, such as Guy Gerber's remix of "Dana," a glowing spellbinder that has yet to be released. On its heels comes Antena's portentous "Camino del Sol (Joakim Mix)," which promises an inescapable hook from the first appearance of its chunky synths, itself followed by the ultra-refined shadow play of Williams's "The Shivering (Pitch and Hold in Camera Obscura Remix)." Digweed obviously understands better than anyone that the impact of each track is largely determined by how it relates to all the others. As always, his programming can leave listeners dumbfounded; tracks like David K's off-kilter minimal trip "Boul de Nerf" may lead to some initial head-scratching. But then there is that rule of thumb that never fails with Digweed: "listen again." --Brent Kallmer

Product Description

Following the success of the first in John Digweed's Transitions series, one of the most acclaimed albums of this legendary DJ's career, Digweed returns with the eagerly anticipated second volume. Taking the inspiration from his worldwide sets and globally syndicated radio show, this single disc is full of seamless segues and driving bass lines - a current glimpse of John at his masterful best.

His standing as a world-renowned DJ has enabled him to include several tracks that are exclusively available on this album prior to their full single release. Amongst these are Guy Gerber's atmospheric mix of Chaim EP - `Dana', David K's trippy masterpiece `Boul de Nerf' and two tracks by G-Stylz (aka Bruce Aisher). Digweed has long been a force in the studio, and his production acumen is highlighted here, as he turns in subtle, exclusive edits throughout the album. As with Vol.1, it is his flawless mixing and programming that Digweed brings to this project, creating a mix that offers new interpretations, improving with each listen as it shifts from 124 to a 129 bpm finale across it's 70 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please someone patent this man's DNA We may need clones someday..., April 4, 2007

By 

7.52 "medulla" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transitions Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

A bit over the top? Well quite frankly, NO! This is the kind of record that haunts you in the shower or when you are in the sack with your girl/boy/mother/whatever works for you. As far as searching for that compilation that Digweed has been trying to visualize his entire two and a half decades look no further. If you are new or not all that familiar with Digweed please allow me to try to give a humble sketch.

John Digweed is a DJ from the UK with a most unusual and not at all popular niche. In a nutshell, what he does is use his uncanny ear for music to create jaw-dropping mixes with tracks you'd never think of listening to. Look in whichever country, club, bedroom, or dorm but you won't find anyone who has such a steady grip over this formula like Digweed. This is a tough formula mind you. Sasha tried it using a Holden approach with Fundacion NYC but this trial failed miserably. It failed for a lot of reasons but an interesting and an allegorical one is that he literally put his ego before the music. Digweed does the exact opposite. Indeed at first glance you think there is little mixing going on but that is classic Digweed for you; you don't seem him but he sure as hell is there, crafting a mix that should be boring and repetitive into a sort of solo by Miles Davis.

Indeed a good description of the Digweedian style of mixing would be elusive, confusing, cerebrally hypnotic and perpetually innovative. It was Diggie who introduced the rest of us to Adam Spears' track Crayons. He has always utilized, and championed the genius if Holden. If you send him a demo this evening, there is a 90% chance that he'll give it a go before the end of the month. The man is a rare breed indeed... But there is no denying his brilliance and it is his experience and his uncanny ear of music that makes this minimalist monster of a compilation shine.

Now, I must say I am a bit, weird when it comes to music. This mix is not for everybody. I mean a friend of mine and a fan of Digweed has mixed feelings about Digweed and asked me to sample it and was interested in my opinion. His was four stars out of five. Four stars!!?? For this jaw-cracker? But.. to each to his own.

The mix starts out with some teaser tracks. The track names themselves explain what they are meant to do to you; disorient you, discard whatever preconceptions you had about this mix. The tracks also serve as nasty tension builders and indeed you wonder where he is going with all this. It is sometime when you are having these thoughts that he chooses to drop Guy Gerber's remix of the Chaim EP track Dana. I have given it a lot of thought and I have come to a decision; This is one of the most emotional, awe-inspiring tracks I have ever heard. If you think this review is long and meandering fine. Ignore it. That is fine too. Just add, "Listen to Digweed mix Dana into Camino De Sol" to that things to do before I die. For those still with me, the mix gets even better. The inhuman breakdown that Digweed illuminates around 4 or so minutes into this Joakim remix demon? Words cannot describe. The mix transitions nicely (bad pun I know) into the shivering, a nice ominous, experimental track. He basically hits you with syncopated, minimalistic tech gems until you can't help but grin stupidly (if this genre is your taste. I hope Tiesto lovers aren't misinterpreting). There are no highlights. Every track is brilliant in its own way. I love you is one of my personal favorites. I can't help but feel nostalgic when I listen to Guy Gerber's digital memories.

I can't help but feel he closes this mix weakly with that jack mate track. Its great but I guess I was expecting a slightly different approach to release the tension and discharge the momentum the mix has been building. But it works in its own way so no complaints. Other than this tiny flaw the mix is flawless, mature, classy, unselfish, and just plain brilliant. It is just as nasty and awe-inspiring as Nicky's Paris (more on that later I may need to write a book about that mix) but one a different plane on the infinite styles and worlds that make up electronica.

Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: This is not trance. And I am not a friend of Digweed.
Just a very satisfied customer.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep, Distinctive, February 18, 2007

By 

LexAffection (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transitions Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

Digweed's second volume in the 'Transitions' series is a sinewy mix of - you guessed it - seamlessly mixed minimal tech-house. I would venture to say that it picks up precisely where "Gebrunn Gebrunn" left off on Vol. 1, which makes for a great time if you want a large dose of minimal Digweed all at once because you can play the albums back to back and it feels like you're listening to a two-disc set.

I won't get carried away with comparisons, though, because Volume 2 is rather distinctive in its own right. Deeper and more involved than Vol. 1, something I notice is that this mix is much more accessible than Vol. 1 was for me - and if you read my review of Vol. 1, it took hours of play to come to love it like I do today. Alternatively, I loved Vol. 2 pretty much from the moment the beat dropped in Digweed's Cheeky Edit of Abyss' 'Mind Games', and the ride doesnt stop until the last track. I think it's really wonderful how Digger's can simply slide over the line between some upscale symphonic minimal house & almost soft tribal house: And, yes, I still contend the basslines are the spine of the album over which everything else is built, they always drop with a sick intention.

Some stand-out tracks include both Abyss' "Mind Games" & "The Dreamer" which drop some pretty nice beats early into the album, as well as Felix Houzer's "Mandolina". An extra treat is Guy Gerber's otherwise unreleased white label vinyl track, "Digital Memories", which is placed towards the end of the album and is a track that I consider myself fortunate to own. Jackmate's "Manray (Digweed Cheeky Edit)" is a fittingly cooler song, fizzling and simmering to end the album with the same blissful grace with which it began. Good things come 'round full circle. One or two tracks seem to lead nowhere by themselves, but because their placement makes use of them as perfect segues between the preceding and following tracks, they work beautifully. Only something Digweed might have a chance of commercially pulling off.

In terms of Digweed's last release and his minimalistic excursions on his 'Transitions' weekly radio show, this is probably one of his more solid performances. For a single-disc release this is a hefty album with an unexpected complexity for minimal house. All the subtle twists and grooves from Vol. 1 are present, only they aren't so subtle this time around - and for the Digweed newcomer & veteran alike, this lends the final Midas touch to this release.
*To quote Dave Seaman, "It's widely acknowledged that sequels are generally not as good as their predecessors. And having recently watched Ocean's 12, I can tell you it's an assumption not without foundation... we think the sequel is the equal of it's predecesssor, probably even superior." Though this references his Therapy Sessions 2, I can't help but feel he could be speaking of Didgweed's latest, and the words would remain exactly as they are. A great way for the electronica subculture to begin 2007.

~Lex

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Classic!!!, February 20, 2007

By 

Kyle V. Lyons "freethinker" (Twentynine Palms) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transitions Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

How can one possibly follow up an album like Transitions Volume One? That's the question I asked myself upon hearing about the release of the second volume, and I'll tell you what I've learned.
Transitions 2 is in every way, volume one's equal, and yet in every way it is also an incredible distinct mix. I can't believe that in less than a year's time Digweed can give us two such high caliber gems, while others out there take years to give us one mediocore CD.
I would also like to share a belief about the direction this beloved genre is headed in. I have been listening to this wonderful music for nearly ten years now, and I have watched as it went from underground, to trendy, to massive, and back into obscurity. I also take great pride in my music collection, which consists of everything from classic Sasha and Digweed,to discontinued Carl Cox to the always dependable Ritchie Hawtin, and of these CD's I must say few exhibit the progression of today's collections, whether it be these great Transitions mixes, the awesome things Balance is doing or the latest sound of the Renaissance albums.
I can only assume that since the trend-followers have fallen by the wayside, the modern DJ has found it unessecary to include the always present anthems and trance nonsense that pollutted the genre so many years ago, but instead give us tracks like David K "Boul de Nerf", which would have never appeared on a commercial mix CD ten or even five years ago. So as a loyal fan of everything electronic I say thank you and please give us some more.