- The relatively simple concept of the first Electric Calm was produced and stacked on shelves around the world in a (by Global Underground standards) fairly understated way. It was a compilation put together with the use of the back catalogues of the two GU sub labels, Quad Communications and Coded. This second release in the series follows a similar line to the last, with a few noticeable improvements. They have signed up some great production work outside of the GU subsidiaries to ensure this next mix is something more diverse and relaxed, yet at the same time seems to have an added level of both thought and planning.
The album slides into play with ‘Inner Calm’, an immensely ambient intro featuring more than its fair share of calming sounds. It then starts us off with very unique ‘The Roots’ by Luke Chable as Lo Step Feat Lior Attr, which upon hearing, many of you will instantly recognise from Dave Seaman’s GU:002. But this mix is very different, the major pumping break beat backbone is missing, but strangely enough, as you would expect to really feel (and miss) their removal, the ambient levels that are enhanced bring this impressive mood lifting remix right the way through to the next track.
The Forth, known for various mixing and production work for GU, continues this journey of sound in a very relaxed and beautifully-ambient pace to nowhere mentally straining with the next couple of tunes. And in taking this very relaxed approach towards mixing, each of the tracks has been toned down, cut back edited and layered to create the most aurally-satisfying sounds. The planned and openly stated vibe of this compilation is spot on as The Forth continues with tracks from J-Punch, PBAS and the first two (of three on the disc) by Trafik.
The kaleidoscopic sounds of Avatar with their ‘Glitter Love’ nail down the detailed simplicity of this compilation. Trafik’s third track ‘Hard To Resist’ continues, with its collection of solidly compiled ambient beats together with a great simple drawn out female vocal. And brings the album finishes as you would expect, with nothing but incredibly soothing, relaxing and mind cleansing sounds by the likes of Pako & Frederik with ‘Make Me’, Bluefish with ‘Mellow Mellow’ and Feels Like Forever’ by Twisted Air feat Caroline Thorp.
I was very happy to see that GU is continuing this series, as it is something out of the ordinary, and not some cheesy ‘chill-out’ compilation produced for the masses. It’s a CD that matures with each listen, a great solution to those ringing eardrums after a big night out, and generally one of the finest aurally purifying CDs to date.