Global Underground 26: James Lavelle in Romania

ANOVA CLASSIC JAMES LAVELLE CDS , JUST A THING TO CHECK IS WHERE WAS DONE , AS I BOUGHT IT THINKING IT WAS A NEW ONE TO ME BUT I ALREADY HAD IT JUST PACKED VERY DIFFERENTLY FROM ORIGINAL ONE , BUT MY FAULT ( CHECK FIRST !!) GREAT SERVICE. THANKS. DAVID

People whinge this is too commercial/prog-rock for the Global Underground pedigree so possibly I have a blunted aesthetic sense cos I absolutely love this album. It mixes styles from prog, house and trance in an original way which works for me.

Another excellent D.J set from one of the most talented entertainers in the world. Recommended to any clubber with a good taste in music !!!

Probably the best compilation from "Global Underground" ever!!!Are you looking for a new floorfiller this must be the best choice you can make.Lavalle bring us to a new dimension in DJ'ing. A must for all GU-(and U.N.K.L.E.) fans.Congratulations to the GU-label. They are back - stronger than ever!

Well, I normally don't rate a DJ that plays too much of his own material but there is always an exception to the rule. In this case James Lavelle, who is been around the dance scene for longer than some of you would even know, choose to base a set for GU of 50% own material and 5 Meat Katie tracks.Controversial? A little, especially if some of you can't see much further than Prog. Forget Deep Dish, here you find something different and difficult, but all the better for it.I believe James could have played one version only of both In A State and Eye 4 An Eye but it can't be perfect.If you liked Barcellona than get this. If you dont like breaks than dont buy this.

James Lavelle in my opinion is one of the most talented producers and djs aswell being the other half of the excellent duo U.N.K.L.E with DJ Shadow. His first Global Underground album along with the Fabric album were both outstanding in the production, mixing and choice of records which blew me away. However I can sadly and very dissapointingly say Romania couldn't cut it anywhere near the previously mentioned albums. The whole album gives the impression he is trying to promote his own co-owned label, listing a total of 11 U.N.K.L.E. tracks and remixes (thats almost half the album). Although I do like U.N.K.L.E., I beleive if I wanted an album produced by U.N.K.L.E. I would go out and buy one. James Lavelle's previous albums provided to be more unique to his style of deep, funky and tekky house sounds with some progessive breaks thrown in for good measure but Romania is his dark, slow, breaks, alter ego of U.N.K.L.E., not quite what I was expecting from a Global Underground mix CD. To sum things up, the album is reasonably good for a few listenings (especially if you are a U.N.K.L.E. fan) but for those who were looking for something similar to his previous albums, give this album a miss.

To be frank, having read reviews of the latest GU release didn't sway me to buy this until i tested out parts of the album myself. The mixing eschews programming, instead it chuggs along with a beaty flow unlike most comps. It's a breadth of fresh air no doubt. Highlights inlclude: The QOTSA track, South and the closer on CD1, M83's Run into Flowers. CD2 has a fantastic reworking of Unkle's Invasion with a liquid bassline while Sasha's remix of In a State closes proceedings nicely. All in all, it's a different bag from a normal GU release but it still is a brave foray away from the prog house scene. Worthwhile to check out if you have money to burn