Global Underground: New York
Arguably the most famous DJ in the world, circa 1999, and certainly one of the most influential across all fields of music, London mixmaster Paul Oakenfold enjoys his first Global Underground release in America with a two-disc set that goes to the farthest corners of modern dance-club music. Oakenfold (who has remixed and spun forU2and coproduced theHappy Mondays) obviously has a phenomenal record collection. Using the hues and vibes of Manhattan, Oakenfold weaves together a landmark house set for those who have never heard one. The first disc is smattered with trancey house grooves, with swirls of funk thrown in for good measure, thanks to Solar Stone's "Flood" and an effortless high-energy mix that allows brief recuperative moments before once again taking off à la the segue from Lustral's "Everytime" into Miro's "Paradise." The second disc sees Oakenfold playing around with some spacier jungle flavors, such as Ambrosia's "In Your Arms," before enjoying a breakbeat-fueled journey through Talisman & Hudson's "Leave Planet Earth," then effortlessly easing on into trance-house warmth again with Albion's "Air."New Yorkshows that Oakenfold is certainly one of the smoothest operators behind the decks today. Unfazed by the confusing subgenres of electronica, Oakenfold fondly embraces them all, fashioning sets of rich diversity. As with Global Underground's other releases, this disc is a great starting point for those who wish to dip their feet into club land's musical culture.--Steffan Chirazi