Chicane ‎– Far From The Maddening Crowds

Interesting comment from Ed. I thought "Behind the Sun" was more musical, which I suppose to some extent goes hand in hand with popular appeal. The Balearic sounds of Chicane are indeed on the cheesier side of the trance spectrum, and it's also something that has been copied by some of the popular "progressive house" artists of today such as Kaskade, Dinka, or Sunlounger (DJ Shah). To be clear, this isn't a dance album, it's akin to a beach soundtrack. An excellent [and common] entry point into dance music, as it turns out.

Like a sea breeze from happier times, that warm Balaeric vibe still enchants, more than a decade after this album's initial release. Jaded cynics may feel its trancier elements a bit too saccharine for the 21st century, but even they may find a few guilty pleasures here, even if they won't admit it. And (thankfully) this album is virtually free of those "pop" elements that, in my opinion, compromised Mr. Bracegirdle's "Behind The Sun" album a few years later.

Absolutely masterpiece album...it became classic for dance music. 1997 year...WOW!
Chicane lived in Ibiza when he was a child and there he learned so much about beautiful, soothe life and feelings. Then he tried to explain it to the people through his music. It's turn out to what we have in "Far from madenning crowds"...
So, if you want to relax or...make present to your friend, make it with this great unforgettable album.