- EXPOSURES: Global Underground’s 5th Album Sampler.
Showcasing tracks from the following compilations, Nick Warren: Reykjavik #024, Deep Dish: Toronto #025, Danny Howells: 24:7, Lee Burridge: 24:7, Steve Lawler: Lights Out 2 and Electric Calm: V.2.
Get this; the internationally celebrated Global Underground series tends to ask in-house producers The Forth to compile a special sampler mix CD of tracks from previous releases so that they can extend their brand even further with a compilation for half the price of a normal release! Look above, chances are you have at least one of the releases; I certainly do; yet I couldn’t help myself in purchasing this one as well. Even though I’ve heard all the tracks already, I’m quite keen in hearing Scott Dawson and Andrew Archer’s ideas of how they in vision the tracks to blend together. I’ve enjoyed their previous samplers for GU and at the end of my first listen of “Exposure,” this is no different. The duo really know their way around the decks as well as understanding how creative a mix can become with the use of technology (it has been shown previously with their excellent “Electric Calm” library and the often overlooked “After Hours”).
For someone like yourself (buyer A) who hasn’t heard the album yet, but know some of the tracks, the track list looks promising – a collection of downtempo and peaceful choons looks to be the bill. For someone who doesn’t keep track with what’s going on (buyer B), a $10 dollar investment for an album doesn’t seem to be too much of a risk (maybe the cool cover will help add to reinforce your decision). Either way, you decide to purchase the disc, but you decide to not listen to it right away cos your busy. You toss it aside till you find time to actually listen to it. It may take a bit of time, but at least it’s there whenever you feel for it.
Time flies and you’re a bit bored. Nothing to do, you check out your CD collection. It’s a bit late in the night and your neighbors wouldn’t enjoy you indulging Rock music at eleven at nite. They certainly wouldn’t like you if you threw down some harsh rumblings of Tribal or Techno, so you head for an alternative. A little Pop mixed in with Downtempo atmosphere. If you were buyer A, and you remember you just purchased the new GU sampler that’s filled with slow downbeat grooves. Here’s you chance to get a good listen to the album. If your buyer B, maybe it’s time to check out the CD, you did buy it for a reason. Either way, put in the disc damnit! So the disc goes in and you just sit back watching the time pass by.
From the ambient collage of The Forth’s very own “Dusk 2 Dawn” and Andrew Archer’s other production team Trafik, the first two tracks are layered so well that you would be so sure it was really one instead. Minutes ahead and you reach J-punch’s downtempo gem in “Temple.” The sweet sounding grooves that began the album start to head deeper and houseir with the one-two combo of Chuck N’ Roll’s “Playing Dirty” and Polekat’s “Dancin Queen.” Now the album manipulates itself into a dance record with tracks by Solar Plexus, Logic Box, and Carlos Fauverelle. I love the way The Forth uses Sam Paganini’s “Into Africa” as an intro for Logic Box’s “Liquid.” It blends so seamless, making the transitions sound effortlessly. Deep soulful sounds of House continue their reign just a bit longer until the final three tracks take their place. As we head back into the world of downtempo once again, the smoothing drums and piano keys work their magic bringing the story to a fitting close.
60 minutes that I wish would continue on. Something created for groovy listening than a more jumpin’ party atmosphere for sure. Even though the collection is a sampler of previous used tracks from the other compilations, The Forth’s presentation is pleasing for the ears; seamless connections between tracks that build for a good night. If you haven’t been ‘exposed’ to the sounds of Global Underground by now then pick up the new sampler. Well worth the admission as the label continues their flirtation of afterhour soundscapes.
The Album
1.Forth – Dusk 2 Dawn (reprise)
2.Trafik – Kaleidoscope
3.Momu – The Dive
4.J-punch – Temple
5.Chuck N’ Roll – Playing Dirty
Polekat – Dancin Queen (acapella)
6.Solar Plexus – Solar Plexus
7.Jeff Bennet – Swapping
8.Carlos Fauverelle – Operator
9.Logic Box – Liquid
10.5th Order – Sineweaver
11.Pako & Frederik – 45 Minutes
12.Fresh Moods – Price
13.Honeyroot - Starshine