'Song Of Life' is certainly one of the all time classic progressive house anthems, but can easily find favour amongst the smoother trance and techno floors.

It expertly uses many of the 'old skool' progressive house staples (i.e. dub, echoes, epic whooshes, and something approaching a banjo!) to great effect. The production is nigh on perfect. What really makes this stand out though is the excellent marriage of a cool groove with infectious understated melodies that are at once joyous and ponderous.

Watch out for the ending that like many a great record (i.e. 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division) finishes off with strings that hint at something altogether different and warmer than that which has preceded it.

Make no mistake, 'Song Of Life' is to progressive house what 'Pacific' by 808 State is to techno and what 'Acperience 1' is to trance.

Of all the versions of Leftism's 'Song Of Life' that are out there, Underworld's Steppin Razor mix would probably get my vote for the best of the bunch. In my opinion, it is the most timeless and progressive sounding of any mix (though, I still love the original mix's bouncy bassline). Of course, if Sasha & Digweed's immortal 'Song Of Life' medley featured on the Renaissance The Mix Collection were considered a legitimate version, then it'd be a different story. Anytime I listen to the Lemon Interupt or Dub For Life mixes, I feel like something is missing (those familiar with the above mentioned medley and unmixed versions as well will know what I'm talking about).

Those familiar with Leftfield's classic album Leftism, will find that the original 'Song Of Life' featured here, and the version featured on the Leftism album are much different. The original 'Song Of Life' (circa 1992) is upbeat, with a chunky bouncing bassline, heavy helpings of funk, dub, and of course, those yearning chants. The Leftism mix on the other hand, is downtempo during the first portion of the song, and sounds very similar to the Fanfare Of Life mix featured on this release. Also of note, the two versions of the original mix featured here are edits. The original mix featured on the vinyl release is in excess of 9 minutes long, where as the extended mix featured here is almost 30 seconds shorter.