Sasha And John Digweed* - Northern Exposure 2

This is, quite literally, one of the best mix albums out there and is essential for anyone into quality trance. It is more futuristic and euphoric than the first NE, which was more organic, and it is just as good as the first.

East Coast (Sasha's mix) jumps straight in with some almost psychedelic, beautiful soundscape tracks. It takes a while to build, but it gets funkier and ends memorably with the famous Symphony by Hybrid. Personal favourites include the lovely Dammerung, Little Bullet since it hits the peak of the album, and the last few tracks which are just outstanding.

The second disc by Digweed was not so well received, but I think that it's understated and is one of the best NE's (if you can get any better than the others). Generally, people seem to prefer the Sasha discs with Northern Exposure, but the second disc is a grower, and even more of a journey once you get into it. This one hits a beautiful high early on at the end of Fusion, and is a fast-flowing, liquid journey - again, it's a little psychedelic. Towards the end it really accelerates and you can feel yourself being tossed on Digweed's waves, on an adventure to a new coast and new lands. Much like the first, once this mix has grown on you, it will become part of your life.

It's well worth the little bit of extra money that you pay for it. Sasha and Digweed have crafted another legend. Definitely in my top 5 mix albums.

What an experience.
I too have had this since release which i bought back in Leeds.
It has travelled with me across the globe and now takes its place in my home in Brisbane.
My favourite is CD2 (if there had to be one )and play it over and over again.
Especially `Solar cycle` Just reminds me of a little club in Leeds many moons ago called ` Space` where Digweed and Sasha both played regularly.
All the best..Darren 6/12 2008 ( God how time flies!!!)

Firstly, I'd just like to say well done to 'SamPope' for is excellent in depth review of this album which sums up nicely the what-what of everything.

However, I'd have to disagree with his view this is the strongest entry in the series. Whereas the first edition to the series sounded beautifully composed, and could actually give you cognitive visions of your own landscapes, NE2 just isn't as atmospheric because of the direction between quicker mixing, less progressive songs, and more funkiness. Though I would undoubtedly agree that the end of CD1 is complete euphoria.

I have always felt CD2 from NE1 has been under-rated so many times too. It's just a real grower; upon first listening it's understandable that it sounds completely different to the first disc, but in time you realise it's actually a quite stunning trance disc. Such tunes as 'Plan 94', 'Sound System', and 'Phoenix' are classics in their own right, and have all the connotations of an icy, twinkling landscape.

But thats just my thoughts; NE1 was compiled and mixed to be more atmospheric and dream-like, whereas NE2 flows alot quicker and isn't as clever in the mixing.

I would probably say that while NE1 is my favorite Sasha's half of the series, whilst this is my favorite Digweed part of the mix. Although Digweed's opening track is not as strong as the rest of the CD2, after it the mix blossoms into a hell of an experience. Sasha's half in my opinion is marred by quite a few extremely cheesy tracks, although this could also be the effect of ageing.

Classic release nonetheless, don't let anything stop you from getting a copy.

While this statement may go against popular belief, Northern Exposure 2 is superior to the original Northern Exposure. While neither mix on NE2 quite matches the majestic quality of CD1 of NE1 (but then again, what does?), both mixes are classics in their own right whereas CD2 of NE1 was comparably weaker when compared to other mixes in the NE series.

The first CD is a gorgeous down tempo/break beat mix in the same vein as the first CD of NE1. The mood and atmosphere is different however. Whereas NE1 CD1 was earthy, organic, and spiritual, the first CD of NE2 is jazzier, funkier, more melancholic, and near the end, more euphoric. The mix starts off phenomenally with an ultra chilly mix of Gus Gus' "Believe", which perfectly segues into Chicane's mix of Furry Phreaks' "Soothe". After we're transitioned with Violet's "Burn The Elastic", we're treated to the less memorable funky breaks of Prana's "Geomantik" and Acoustic Hoods "Cycle Of Time". Frontside's "Dammerung" brings a more serious tone back with its beautiful melancholic melody, which sets up for the mixes first and last 4/4 numbers, and also the most amazing numbers on the whole album. The trickling melody of Doi-Oing's "Blue" is perfectly blended with a superb live version of Spooky's classic "Little Bullet". The live version included here is even better than the original with washing synths and several layers melody that bring the album to it's first peak. While both of the tracks are amazing in their own right, this is a case where the expert DJ mixing of these two tracks creates something that is greater than the sum of it’s parts.

Having already reached heaven 8 tracks in, the funky breaks of Uberzone's "Botz" is dropped bringing the mix back to the earth before slowly climbing back up with some of the most euphoric electronic tracks ever recorded. The tinkley melody of Fluke's "Reeferendrum" builds perfectly into Lost Tribe's gorgeous "Angel" (incorrectly listed as "Distant Voices" on the back cover), which out of nowhere turns into Gus Gus' mid-tempo masterpiece, "Purple". The final track, Hybrid's "Symphony" is perhaps the most emotional electronic music I've ever heard. A perfect closer to a near perfect mix.

The second CD is the more danceable of the two CDs, with some of the best progressive house tracks of the era/ever. Opening with Cygnus X's "Positron" (incorrectly listed as "Superstrings" on the back cover), a lush, bouncy, euphoric mood is instantly created, only to be torn down by the stabbing melodies and abrasive percussion of Speedy J's "Fusion". Humate's classic "3.2" is mixed in creating a dark, atmospheric sound, that melds perfectly with William Orbit's/Spooky’s remix of Sven Vath's techno classic "An Accident In Paradise". The Light's "Panfried" and Third Man's "Solar Cycle" keep the beat steady, before the duo really turn up the energy with L.S.G.'s "Netherworld". The Jules Vern mix heard on this album is the best version of the song I've ever heard emphasizing the best elements of the song, and creating a hard hitting progressive house floor-filler. Taucher's melodic "Waters" is perfectly mixed in holding the peak created by "Netherworld" to over ten minutes of sheer electronic bliss. "Teach Me" by Art Of Silence is a serene break from the energy, but we're soon brought back to 4/4 floor-stomping energy with Transa's anthemic (and somewhat formulaic) "Enervate", before slowly closing with the trance inducing groove of Armin's "Blue Fear".

The weak moments on CD1 are when the mix goes for the more abrasive, funky numbers, but in the scope of the album as a whole and in terms of setting up the more serious melodic songs, they work. CD2 on the other hand, while more immediately accessible and overall consistent, it is ultimately less resonating than it's counterpart. Still, as a whole, this is the strongest entry in the Northern Exposure series, and an essential for any electronic music fan’s library.

I've always said this record would be the only one i'd bring with me to a desert island...i've had it since it;s first release and never get tired of it..especially cd1...truely an amazing journey of some of the finest electronic music tracks & mixing..track 6 Frontside Dammerung, literally cannot stop listening to it!....and i too have most of the GU stuff and early sasha stuff..Qat Collections et al.....this is better that the 1st Nothern and 3rd-expeditions and communicate...a good record is one you never get sick of..it will become legendary..thats all from me!!

Disc 1 is one of the best cd's I have ever heard (also known as "East Coast").

Disc 2 (also known as "West Coast"is a very good mix indeed, but not quite as good as Disc 1.

I'm not sure how Sasha & Digweed do these cd's, I think that Sasha mainly does Disc 1 while Digweed mainly does Disc 2 - please correct me if I'm wrong.

Both discs are true journeys and if you like any type of music I highly recommend this cd.

FYI I like almost anything done by Sasha & Digweed, Scooter's older stuff and most Global Undergrounds!