Paul Oakenfold – Global Underground: Live In Oslo

Hype text from the label:

Paul Oakenfold has put together many huge mixes over his illustrious DJ career, but for many, this is his ultimate one. It captures a time when his musical tastes were wide open and takes in everything from drum & bass anthems to classic prog house, with plenty of the Goa sounds that were influencing his own trance productions too.

Paul was already the biggest DJ in the world, having warmed up for U2 at Wembley and taken his own Perfecto label releases into the upper reaches of the charts. This mix brought both him - and Global - yet more praise.

By now, each new GU release was being eagerly anticipated by clubbers and the dance media alike, so there was a minor of a furore when it emerged that Oakey’s ‘live’ mix in Oslo had actually been recreated in a studio later. In fact it made perfect sense to ensure a more polished final product in this way, and the revelation marked the end of live recordings taken straight from the DJ booth for the series. Luckily it didn’t put an end to the successful formula of basing each mix around an exciting global clubbing epicentre. And seeing as the mix was so good, the media fuss was soon forgotten.

One of the best DJ mixes ever performed.
A progression from liquid D&B to Trance.

Was it really recorded live in the club? Tel Aviv and Prague no doubts

Cycled down through Spain with this on the headphones ( along with renaissance vol 1 & essential mix 1 and my first attempts at mixing recorded on some TDKs ) in the summer of ‘97, so fond memories. Mix 1 is garbage, but Mix 2 may not be the most stellar but it got me up and over some pretty long climbs. Taucher - Waters was a personal favourite. less a review more nostalgia - discogs should have a general discussion section for releases, apart from the reviews...? My reviews are very bland ( I keep deleting them )

While the mixing its self might not be top notch the overall album is still very good. The mix of d&b and trance is unique and fits well with this album. I didn't much care for this comp back in the day but now I really appreciate it for what it is, a pure Oakenfold mix.

This mix is pure and only an emotional journey for me. I played this on minidisc during my first trips to my holiday fling in Sheffield (UK) in 1997. The journeys on the train from Manchester Airport to Sheffield (and back) were just long enough to enjoy the most of it. If I listen to it now I still see myself sitting on that train waiting to see my first love. Unforgettable! The mix is spot on despite it varies from d&b to trance, it is just a gem!

the version that of ltj bukem music can't be sourced anywhere .. Nothing like the original..

Great to see so many discussion on this album! :) I Really love this d'n'b start of the album! Disc 2 is a solid trance/goa mix. Overall the mix has, indeed, a very nice 'live-feel' to it! Warmly recommended!

A very underrated Global Underground release. It's a very unique mix of a variety of genres from drum n bass to goa. People have criticized this release for its mixing, but I give him credit for the job he has done with an assortment of tunes with different melodic qualities...some tracks with breakbeats, some without, fast goa trance and then slow progressive tracks. However, it is Paul Oakenfold, so don't expect this one to be quite as smooth as Digweed's mixes. CD1 is the highlight. CD2 is not quite up to snuff, with fairly run of the mill goa trance.

When Oakey and Global Underground used to be at the top of their fields, how times change eh?

The mixing might be a little off at times, but the tunes are first class. Loads better than this his other Global Underground effort in my opinion, and probably his last great cd release.

I know so many people that would give anything in the world to experience the old Oakenfold again.