Nick Warren - Global Underground (Lima/Mixed by , 2008)

As a huge fan of both Nick Warren and the Global Underground series, I couldn't wait for the release of GU035: Lima. I think I speak for all fans of the series when I say that the releases since Nick's last edition (GU030) in Paris, the GU series has been let down by some poor efforts in the build up to Lima. Issue 31 from Taipei was okay but the others have been a real disappointment.

Lima opens with a beautiful ambient track from Paul Rogers that has real aura of magic and mystery about it. For me this sets the scene of ancient Peru with its Inca temples and ruins of Machu Pichu. Steeped in history and once the home of one of the most famous and powerful civilizations in history, this opening track 'Lima Luna' is a perfect way to bsgin the 35th edition of Global Underground.

But just three or four minutes into the first CD the tempo quickly changes to a more upbeat progressive-house with tracks from Nils Nurnberg and later Jairus Miller and the beat pretty much continues throughout the rest of the first CD. Progressive-house is what Nick is most famous for and it's nice to be back with this kind of beat since the fairly relaxed and ambient Paris, similarly with Rekjavik back in GU024.

The transition from the ambient introduction to the uptempo feel of the rest of the CD signifies Peru's modern and fast-moving lifestyle now compared to it's ancient past. Once you pass through three or four tracks the music becomes really funky and this makes you want to get up and dance; just how the Peruvian people feel. Images of the late-night parties and packed nightclubs full of young people mixing together and having a good time flood into your mind. Every now and again riffs and samples reminding you of the ancient Peru appear; they dip in and out of tracks just to remind you that the history of Peru is still very important to the people and to its culture. Despite all of this, the solid house basslines dominate throughout, but this is not a bad thing. Lima's first CD is electronic dance music at it's very best courtesy of Nick Warren.

The second CD has no messing around, no introduction; just straight into a flowing progressive-house vibe. For me this pictures the scenery of Lima's city streets and fabulous views from a backseat car-window as Nick is whisked through the city with thoughts of the upcoming set in his mind. As with CD1 the consistent beat is almost unbroken from start to end. With Nick's last two releases in the GU series in Shanghai and Paris, there were a number of more ambient and chilled tracks every now and again just to break-up the mix and to allow for a few 'breathers'. GU035 hardly stops for a moment, just like the 18th issue back in Amsterdam. Once again, this is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.

This latest release is full of beautiful, brilliant tracks from start to finish. This is what we have come to expect from Warren, and as he so often does, Nick's new release has rescued the Global Undergound series from a falling reputation after the last few poor editions. Lima brings the GU collection back to where it deserves to be- at the forefront
of electronic dance music compilations. As always with exclusive tracks found on no other compilation, GU has been revived by the man that never fails to impress with his flawless track selections, mixing and end product.

GU035 rocks and deserves a place among the CD collection of any fan of electronic or dance music.

I love the most of GU series but this copy is amazing! Nick Warren knows what the Progressive House Music about. I offer this double cd for all house fans! Must have GU035 Lima Nick Warren!!!

i am personally on a mission to collect all global underground albums of the house/trance/dance variety and am only pissed off with the fact that rnb music is now on the dance label i think is the very best i've ever had the pleasure of listening to.global underground never stop doing the dj albums cos their still getting better.cheers.

good mix and i love nick warrens style of trance 2nd only to sasha y is there no more sasha in belfast's etc...lol