Marco Remus / DJ Rush - Essential Underground Vol. 02: Berlin / Chicago

This is an interesting peak into DJ cases of Marco Remus and Major Rush before they both ventured into realms of mindless modern schranz style. While still rock solid, both mixes actually have groove and are technically (as stated by my fellow reviewer) more sophisticated than anything these two are pulling off behind the decks today. Despite of it all, the mixes are a roller coaster ride, meaning they go up and down, shoulder to shoulder with my attention.
The Berlin mix by Marco Remus starts out as strong as one would want it to, with the classic Machines & Robots by Ventilator (an alias of Glenn Wilson) kicking things off, through to Umek's synthetic techno classic Cavist and then peaking with the incredibly hard, funky and entertaining Aural Exciter (I was introduced to this track here, and got instantly hooked). Unfortunately, from there up until the Soda Stream tune, with its intricate percussion programming, little else really grabs me and makes me want to take off. Which is a shame, since the mix could have (and should have) ended on a much stronger note, especially when taking into consideration how cool does it start off. For far too long it displays little else but pretty linear and dull techno bangers which I don't think are that representative of what was hot amongst the hard techno crowd and on the dance floors circa 2001, let alone that I consider any of these tracks an undiscovered underground gem. It is all just far too typical and, well, simple to be considered worth tracking down.
The Chicago mix by DJ Rush is the one I prefer more of the two. Even though it lacks absolute stand out numbers such as Aural Exciter or Machines & Robots, the flow and consistency are on a higher level here, plus Rush patiently built his set up from some vocal laced track as the opener and then kept on moving towards the faster, harder and louder material, up until reaching a point where all his mixing powers are unleashed. Not as relentless and packed with distortions as his modern mixes, this is just great techno which aims more towards the harder techno heads, though with a heavy nod to the jackin' Chicago style. The rhythm is placed above constant, brain drilling and pointless abusing of the drum kit, so typical of the new german schranz movement.
Bottom line is: both mixes have something to offer, but could be more interesting and far more captivating. Today, I prefer listening to full and unmixed versions of my favorite tracks off the Marco Remus mix, as it does not really speak to me on a whole, while I can still get the occasional kick while placing the DJ Rush mix in my CD player. No single track ever stuck out in my ears as some from the first disc, but as a whole, Rush takes the cake this time around.

A great release. Both are quality and technically flawless mixes from Marco Remus and Dj Rush showing there more intelligent sides with timeless number one tracks like (Mike Humphries & Glenn Wilson: Aural Exciter, DJ Boss: No Room To Move, Ignition Technician: Second Theorem, Gecko: Just Close Your Eyes...) Dj Rush's best mix in my opinion capturing his true essence for the last time before his style moved into the "machinegun fire" hardcore (respect for some productions). I personally going to remember him by this as one of the greatest dj/producer in the techno scene as he always has been. It's stunning track selection and mixing make these mixes in there own styles memorable and highly recommended!