Two CDs that have been captivating me as of late are:
John Digweed's Transitions #2 - Digweed's second compilation on Renaissance that carries the same name as his weekly radio show. Transitions highlights interesting and newcoming artists in the electronic music scene. Dare I call it progressive house, or is that genre label not in vogue this week? It's textured layers of electronic beats and glitchy tech house from around the world. Like the first one, techy, minimalistic German producers round out the stable of producers for this mix. Very enjoyable from start to finish. Nice build-up and carry-through. Personally, better than the first - but both are great stuff if you're into the master of perfect mixes. How seamless can two beats be interwoven in a flawless tryst? Let Digweed take you there.
Balance 010 - Jimmy Van M - Jimmy's first release since his seminal release on Bedrock Records in what 2001? This 3-disc journey into the deep world of electronic house borders on pure bliss. Is it sacrilege to compare this to Northern Exposure from Sasha and Digweed? This thing compares in scope. Disc 1, Downtempo, Disc 2, Midtempo, Disc 3, Uptempo. Put your Sennheisers on, turn up the volume, and wake up next week in a dreamstate. The tracklist is sublime, a collection of off-beat and "mainstream" tracks when put together make this something you'll be chewing on for some time to come. Nothing's made me feel this way since Northern Exposure II.
These two masterpieces have finally renewed my faith in music. In this world today where music permeates our every move, whether it be a download from iTunes or the RIAA knocking on your back-door. This stuff makes you feel happy to shell out the hard earned money to keep the music playing.