Artist: The Forth
Title: Global Underground: Electric Calm
Label: Global Underground
By: Simon Jones | 26 September 2002
Tracklist:

1. Soko Feat Jess Okoro - Time On My Hands
2. Bluefish - Two
3. Stef Pako & Frederik - Seaside Atmosphere (Evolution's Ambient Seagull)
4. Pako & Frederik - Western Approaches (Atlantic Break(er)s)
5. Trafik - Your Light (I'm Dark Calm Electric)
6. Forth - Solavox (Trafik's Tambura Psalm)
7. Digital Monkeys - Skyline
8. Forth - Secret Silence
9. Pink Bomb - Amsterdam At Night
10. Pink Bomb - Requiem
11. Trafik - The Perfume Suite

The Forth "Global Underground: Electric Calm"

Global Underground is a brand that has become one of the most respected in the music scene over the years, showcasing mixes by some of the best DJs in the world via a unique series of albums. In addition to this, they have run two excellent 12" labels which have just been relaunched, Quad and Coded. These two labels have seen tracks and remixes from the likes of homegrown talents The Forth, calling in favours from friends like Evolution and even looking overseas to talents like the superb Stef, Pako and Frederik. Hot on the heals of the joint 50th release of both labels, they have put together this mix, the first full length cd to be released on the Quad/Coded imprint, and marks Global Underground's first foray into a market that has become increasingly popular over the years, the downtempo market.

Looking to the extensive back catalogue and forthcoming gems of both labels, The Forth have spent time weaving together a mellow 'journey' into a world far away from "progressive". You may call it "chillout", you may call it "ambient", but at the end of the day it would be easier to call it electronica for the after hours. Or you can simply call it what you want..

Starting with the dulcet tones of Jess Okoro, the smooth tranquill soundscapes of Soko's Time On My Hands is a warm heartfelt intro into what is sure to be a captivating listening experience. Bluefish's Two takes the baton by the hand and builds the momentum subtly with its intriqute layers and synth arrangements increasing in tempo before the sounds of seagulls lead us into the warm chords of Stef, Pako and Frederik's Seaside Atmosphere, it's gorgeous melodies whisking your mind off to sunny far away shores, letting you soak in the scenery and feeling at ease, before the Atlantic Break(ers) mix of Western Approaches tells us it's time to head off to the next destination.

As Traffik's Your Light lowers the pace with its deep and powerful vocal, the mix enters an almost lounge-esque groove, broken beat patterns and emotive chants of Forth's Solavox leading us forward into the light, the low trippy bass and laid back atmosphere of Skyline by the Digital Monkeys marking a turning point, minimal production and synths washing into Secret Silence, again another superb production by The Forth.

The squelchy percussion loops and intriguing vocal samples of Pink Bomb's Amsterdam serve well to keep you engrossed before the melancholic piano refrain of 'Requiem' lets your mind unwind and offload all your troubles. Eastern sounding strings only add depth and atmosphere to this gorgeous track and Traffik return with the dramatic beats, blissed out orchestra and drums combined with more classic piano and the vocal of Perfume Suite, envoking strange feeling, all coming together to lift your soul away to other places, a place where you are truely at ease, a place where you above all.. feel calm.

In the overflowing market of downtempo, lounge and ambient albums, one might think that Global Underground would be unable to compete with such high quality titles that exist out there such as the Back To Mine and Another Late Night compilations, but they manage to compose, orchestrate and pull off a superb mix that will keep you enterained, engrossed and relaxed, and manages to do so with style and elegance. Well worth purchasing for a look into the sound of the 'alternate' Global Underground.