Paul Oakenfold - Global Underground 007: New York

One of the better GU series releases (though to me the best is Lames LaVelle in Barcelona) in the series, it stands as one of the best mixes that Paul Oakenfold has put out. A near perfect blend of tunes, it still retains it's great vibe and is a mix that can still stand the test of time.

While Perfecto: Fluoro may be his masterpiece, you can still listen to GU 002 (Or 007 depending on your copy) to chill and spend a great summer day doing some sightseeing, or put it on your sound-system and have a great "back to mine" style time with your best mates. It's also a great example of Oakie when he was at the height of his powers.

For fan-boys or collectors, this limited 002 edition is a sort of collector's item, fueled by the fact that Global Underground has disavowed the 002 collection, preferring to use their true release order worldwide -- the label has even gone so far as to proclaim "There is no GU 002" on it's website. This is also why some copies of John Digweed's GU: Sydney collection are of a different number as well.

All in all, a great set that I highly encourage people to listen to--you won't be let down by this one.

A mostly good selection of tracks that do well to capture that massive dancey/trancey sound of this time (just before the turn of the millennium). Also has a couple of excellent D'n'B tracks on the start of disc 2, before going back into the melodic trance of Albion's "Air", and more of the same.

However, this stuff is certainly not timeless - in fact in can sound particularly dated now in more than a handful of tracks.
Also, there is some dreadful mixing on a few occassions that does let the mix down. A seasoned DJ (like myself) will be well aware of mis-cueing, poor beat-matching/synching and generally poorly thought out mixes that affects the majority of transitions.

An enjoyable listen if you don't take life too seriously ;) 3/5

Best Global Underground release in my opinion. Furthermore the best Oakie mix so far. In comparison to most of his common stuff, where he keeps up the BPI, this focuses on mid-tempo tunes full of atmosphere. Paul combines brilliantly different styles, such as Deep House ("Jamie Myers - Rescue me"), Trance ("Greece 2000") and Breakbeats. My fav tune is "Summersault" by Taste Experience, a typical Ibiza-style chiller.

Disc 1 is fairly typical trance throughout (and very good too).

Disc 2 starts out different, with drum 'n' bass / jungle (I'm not sure the difference between the two) which is not unlike hip hop (plenty of bass), then the middle bit is fairly average trance/dance but the last few tracks go together so well and are some of the best tracks I have heard in a long time. I particularly like Private Productions - Sex Drive (listening to it right now!) and BBE - Deeper Love (Symphonic Paradise). Sure the cd sounds dated, but WHO CARES if it sounds dated if it's such a delight to listen to. I don't judge music by it's age but by the quality of the music itself, as do most people I guess.

4 out of 5 for this effort.

This is definitely my favorite Oakenfold CD. These songs, and the way they were programed, have always put me in a dreamy state of mind (more with disc 1). This is the kind of CD set that when I put it on, I think of how the music was and I begin to miss it. Some really awesome moments are captured here...

Like he's previous GU effort this mix set features rather poor mixing on Paul's part but has too many great tracks to be ignored. Once again Oakenfold is able to build from the excellent opening tracks before letting loose with some huge trance tracks. He is also able to throw in a great breakbeat track("Compusure"), and even some hip-hop("Inside Your Arms"). Includes so many classic tracks that I can't name them all. Unlike his Oslo mix Paul is able to keep up the energy that he establishes on the first disk. The end is a little weak, but it's kind of hard to bring anyone down from the dizzying heights of "Nautical Bodies" and some of the other tracks in the middle of the second disk. A strong effort by Oakenfold. 4 out of 5.

One of the best ever Oakenfold mixes.Sure it sounds dated now,but it has a kind of magestic quality to it,and its a perfect representation of 90's opera trance sound.
Mixing is sometimes average,but it flows like water and manages to be an emotionally moving experience.