Hey there everyone well here we have what we thought was another new Paul Oakenfold disc. Well sorry to dissapoint you but this has been reissued by the company who bought out the original Global Underground. Most CD's are being printed again...sucks for those of us who hunted down the original copy only to find it reissued. NOTE: In case you are fans of Sasha: Global Underground San Francisco don't buy the new one it is also being reprinted. Now all I should say is this, if you couldn't tell the track listing was the same either you aren't a big enough fan or you just didn't read them.

Anyway I'll say what I said the first time...I don't understand why this disc is so amazing. Yes I am an Oakenfold fan, but I feel he was stronger mixing and spinning GOA (as dead as some think this is, just cuz GOA is older doesnt mean it's not good anymore) Anyway, this is an OK disc. I give it four cuz well Oakie is just plain good and underrated. It is also rumoured that this disc; along with tranceport were spun on three boards. Just as the infamous Carl Cox does. I am getting tired of repetitive trance, with what people claim as overlapping and complexity. That stuff isn't complex; it's dull, unemotional and uncreative (easily programmed and looped like our buddies Trance Control and Paul Van Dyk's new disc) But this is where the review come into play. Oakenfold obviously felt strongly about every track, these songs are somewhat "epic." This is a style of trance that I don't believe is exercised enough. It is similiar to GOA, but not quite as ethnic sounding. And well this is a hard style to attain through the "underground" sound that most new york still has. Oakenfold seemed to accomplish this though. His mixing is nice, subtle, yet refined. His track picks are weak: the only downside of the album. 75 percent of this album is good...more than anything I would have to argue that the second disc is the only one worth the buy. Another downside is this disc is on a VERY trendy label, so most od the music is overrated anyway. There are better Oakenfold discs out there (Fluro, Essential Millenium, not the two disc set and commercialized yet gorgeous Tranceport) Bottom line: decent buy, though he has better and don't expect something new if you have Global Underground 002 it is the exact same album.

This is probably the most sophisticated, well-mixed Oakenfold CD available, with "Resident at Cream" a close, more-anthemic second (I have high hopes for the upcoming "Perfecto Presents Another World") . Half the reason I'm writing this review is to jack up the star rating on this CD, which, as of this writing, was a mere 3/12 stars, largely because of two jokers who already had the same CDs under a different Global Underground release ( GU 2, I think) and gave it 1 star out of bitterness that they spent good money twice (I sympathize). Memo: In this great era of repackaging, check tracks BEFORE you purchase. But really people, don't spoil it for the rest of us, as I am sure you agree, this is some of the smoothest, low-key and melodic trance there is. Oakie's "Tranceport" is much more driving and anthemic (some would say cheesy), if you like that sort of thing (and I do), but this is much more refined, softer trance but with enough drive to keep your feet tapping if you aren't a yodel. It is also suitable for dinner parties, a way to expose trance to friends who don't know about this vital genre without beating them over the head with it (more than a few of my friends have been very grateful). I personally like both of his styles, as well as some of the darker harder trance of Nick Warren (see GU: Budapest) and Dave Seaman ( see GU: Buenos Aires). There are also a few drum-and-base oriented tracks, notably the first 2 on the second CD, "Inside Your Arms" and "Leave Planet Earth." Even if you hate d n'b, still get this essential CD and skip those 2 tracks, but keep an open mind. This is warm, classy d n'b, and I find most of the genre pretty cold (Grooverider, Spring Heel Jack come to mind). If you like those 2 tracks, other examples of this type of drum and base, which frequently have soothing female vocals, are Kruder and Dorfmeister's "Conversions" (the first drum and base CD I liked, and I got it only because I thought I was getting more of the dubbed-out chillness of K + D Sessions and DJ Kicks. Surprise: This is smooth Viennese-influenced drum-and-base), A Man Called Gerald's "Essence", and Lamb's "Lamb". But make no doubt about it, THIS IS A TRANCE CD, probably the warmest and smoothest I own. However, if you want harder stuff, go check out Budapest, Buenos Aires, and many more.

Anyone interested in seeing what the whole craze about Paul Oakenfold is about pick this CD up. In particular listen to tracks 8-12 on CD2: its an amazing ride journey. Summersault (now becoming a favorite in clubs), Bliss, and Rescue Me are very nice songs on CD1. Greece 2000 is I think overplayed, and probably should not have been on this album. CD2 however really is great! And I dont know quite how to explain this but I was listening to CD2 as I was driving into New York City recently and it really does seem to capture a lot of what New York means to a lot of people. An excellent double CD! Get it! Id say this CD is even better than Oakie's Cream CD, but at half the price, a much more economical pic! JUST BUY THIS CD AND THANK ME LATER!!!!!

peace

I bought this CD on a whim one day having no clue about what trance was or who Oakie was. I was lucky that day!

This set is amazing. Ever since it turned me on to the trance world, I have found no other album that equaled its mastery and skillfullness (except for sasha/digweed northern exposure stuff). The tracks are not just boring house beats with some neat sounding climaxes. These tracks are intricately and seamlessly layered pieces of sound that evoke emotion. If you simply appreciate quality electronic music or you are a trance fan, your collection is incomplete w/out this wonderful two disc masterpiece.

If you dig the way trance just gets into your blood, then this set is a great purchase. I have been listening to this disc set constantly for over a year, yet I never tire of it. Oakenfold artfully layers solid grooves and great effects in tracks that pull you into the music and make you want to dance. The transitions are great, building different moods and inspiring you to play the whole CD. Paul Oakenfold is, by far, my favorite DJ. I appreciate all genre of music, but this one consistently makes it to the top of my favorites pile. Great for clubbing; I also love to listen as I exercise. It is a truly welcome addition to any collection.