Label responsible for releasing the world-(in)famous Global Underground series of compilations to the world. Recent spin-offs include "Global Underground: NuBreed", showcasing up-and-coming DJ's, "Global Underground: Prototype", a series mixed by Seb Fontaine, "Lights Out" with Steve Lawler, and "Global Underground: 24:7", which is supposed to be a series of more deep and introspective mix albums.
In Boxed's UK releases, GU002 was the never released second installment in the Global Underground series (in Thrive's US re-numbered releases, Paul Oakenfold's New York mix was released as GU002). Global Underground jumped directly from GU001: Tony De Vit - Live In Tel Aviv to GU003: Nick Warren - Prague, which resulted in a lot of controversy and rumours on the nature of GU002. However, GU002 does exist in form of the tape pack of Tony De Vit's Tel Aviv CD as the actual catalogue number of the release is GU002T. When Boxed started the GU series in 1996, they did not have a clear vision about the numbering scheme (later to become part of their image), which resulted in the "missing" release.
Wonder if this series should be split out into several different series. Departures, Arrivals and Destinations clearly have a different catalog id starting with SAM. The series would be "Samples The Delicacies Of Music From Some Of The World's Best Dancefloors" (words from the back of Departures CD). NuBreed is obviously a separate series with catalog Id starting with NU. Then there is obviously the larger City Series as a separate standalone series.
Boxed was the pinnacle of Prog House comps. Although started with Tony De Vit and Hard House mixes and Trance, The commercial Prog House era was in the centre right here once it went global and GU jumped on. You could, and still can easily buy everything up to 025. After that, the prog scene went dead. GU and Renaissance was the two series i remember that was most globally known. A strong memoir of my life lies within these mixes when i started listening to House. Once a new comp hit the shop, i was there, stroking the matte finish of the slipover cover. Mmmmm.. the times we had Boxed boys..
Boxed is a legendary Label, which I have consistently had on my music box, since 2000, the classics from Sasha, Oakenfold, Digweed are just amazing sets of days gone by, in which this tracendental music was played in the underground scene. I miss those days. My favourite releases are Oakenfold NY and Oslo, Sasha Ibiza, Digweed Sydney, and Los Angeles.
Sad to see that the label had a short span life, of only 4 years.
The GU series is an excellent history of what was big and popular in the mid to late 1990's. The two Sasha mixes are the best, by quite a margin in my opinion. Unfortunately I think a lot of people like myself are still listening to their favourite ones for nostalgia and not buying any of the new ones, which to GU's credit, have moved away from prog and trance a bit. The trouble is, as the kind of clubbing that prevailed in the late 1990's is declining I'll bet the demand for these mixes is doing the same.
Thanks to these bastards, I have empty spaces in my pockets where there used to be money. It's a large price to pay for such classic mixes by Sasha, Warren and Seaman and all the rest of them, but well worth it. The samplers are bloody great as well, and they're under a fiver each! This is a superb series run by two lardy Geordies - don't take life too seriously.
Could easily be the best mix series ever. Truly showed the progressive sound from circa 97'-today. Only problem is that they hardly deviate from progressive. Alltime highlights include the ones from sasha, digweed and emerson esp. 013-015.
Andyjcool
November 24, 2023NuBreed is obviously a separate series with catalog Id starting with NU.
Then there is obviously the larger City Series as a separate standalone series.