Dubfire / Various

Modern music rebuilds and creates upon on what has previously been fashioned. During the early days of house music, innovations came fast while the genre was being cultivated. Today, however, it is getting increasingly difficult to create something new that will change our expectations. Ali "Dubfire” Shirazinia, one half of the DC-based Deep Dish, is responsible for one of the latest Global Underground mixes, a look at what a big club in Taipei might sound like, however subtle the differences may be in clubs and warehouses throughout the world. Having lived and clubbed in Seoul, a region geographically close to Taipei, there is commonality between the sounds on this disc and the music heard in Korea. Progressive, flowing, big bass tracks with caressing elements of trance can fill many large rooms but still be nurturing. You’ll hear these sounds on this GU double disc mix but be aware, all the nurture lies on the first CD. Disc two is dark, with less high points than the first (which include Samuel L. Sessions’ "Can You Relate” and "My MTV” by Noir). Still, the sexy inanity of Robbie Rivera’s "Float Away” leaves one looking for something more. This CD achieves a sufficient progression though, chipping away at the expected to reveal glimpses of the unexpected.