Currently enjoying “Renaissance: The Mix Collection” by Sasha & John Digweed

I haven’t even made my way through the bulk of this three-disc mix, but I’m loving what I’ve heard so far. Renaissance: The Mix Collection is considered one of the classics of the genre, and it was certainly one of the first DJ mixes to make a major dent in the commercial market. Listening to it even now, sixteen years after its original release, it’s easy to understand why.

Now, I’m not saying that any mix regarded as a classic is automatically, indisputably brilliant. I’ve never been a big fan of Paul Oakenfold, for example, sacrilegious as I’m sure it is to some, and taking a recent opportunity to listen to the bland tracks and sloppy transitions that basically litter his iconic Goa Mix didn’t do a lot to change my mind. I mean, it’s not bad, but I wouldn’t call it a work of genius. Or maybe it was just another case of the work of an artist paling in comparison to the work of the people he influenced.

But when it comes to the Renaissance mix, which is named after the British club at which Alexander “Sasha” Coe and John Digweed first came to work together, you’re getting a really sharp production that holds up as well as ever. The tracks are great, the transitions are tight, and the mixes really work as extended pieces of music.

Check it out if you can, and be sure to look for the original version; there’s a tenth anniversary reissue, but it’s actually a brand new session, featuring a slightly different track listing due to some copyright claims.

Posted in Currently Enjoying