Global Underground - London

Global Underground - London

Tenaglia, the DJ's DJ, has always smashed down dance music's divisions by mixing whatever he pleases without losing a smidgeon of musical impact. So it's no surprise that <I>Global Underground: London</I>, a double CD mixed live in London isn't a fusty, dusty artifact full of novelty tracks. Forever passionate about the music as well as his mixing, Tenaglia's choices are inspired by what really works on the dance floor. Peace's Divison's "Tribal Funk" is wonderfully voracious, and ATFC's "In and Out of My Life" sits just on the right side of screaming-diva house. By concentrating on subbed-out electro house in all its sweeping orchestral glory, <I>London</I> rocks and soothes in equal measure. There are plenty of blueprints and uplifting twists, such as Minimal Funk IV's epic "Definition of House" and Vegas Soul's teasingly groove-oriented "Junk Funk," but that's not all. Tenaglia has split the CDs so each one leans toward either house or trance, each never to the detriment of the other. So for the most part, the second CD is a sexy, blissfully escapist soundtrack, and the first is super-funky house above all else. If you own other Tenaglia compilations, then you already know what his mixes sound like--taut bass lines, musical beats with a soulful edge, and plenty of extended, glorious breakdowns. If you don't, then this anthemic and occasionally ethereal mix will be both banging and astonishing. <I>--Maxine Kabuubi</I>