Review: John Digweed - MMII

Label: Bedrock [PEA-CD-6166-2]
Release Date: 2002
Rating: 8/10

Normally, when one thinks of John Digweed, one thinks of deep, banging progressive house. Not here. This is Digweed's most somber mix yet, sounding more akin to a Northern Exposure release than any of his Global Underground releases. Digger does pick up the pace about midway through the mix, but this is more of a mood piece than a club mix. And like any mix album, there are some awesome tracks, and there are some stinkers too. Lonely Planet's 'Pollon' has a resonatingly beautiful synth loop that will immediately catch your ear, while Pole Folder & CP's 'Dust' is a beautiful, spacy down-tempo piece with some beautiful vocals and nice ambient washing synths. On the more up-tempo side, James Holden's 'I Have Put Out The Light' is absolutely chilling, while Spooky's 'Belong' has an addictive house groove and a gorgeous female vocal, both of which you'll be humming for weeks. The best track goes to Darren Emerson's phenomenal remix of 108 Grand's 'Te Quiero', with it's multiple layers of beautiful swirling melodies and bouncing beat. The rest of the tracks range from average, to annoying (as in the case of Sean Q6's 'Of Course'). So while this isn't Digweed's best effort, it most certainly isn't bad, and is recommended to anyone who enjoys the more melodic, somber side of progressive house.