Sasha. The walking legend. It is said that his DJ sets remain in memories long, long after a party. Unfortunately I was never lucky enough to share this kind of pleasure, so I’m left to blind identify myself with this worship of an individual. Beyond doubt he also has enemies against him. They say he’s not creative at all. That without Pro Tools he wouldn’t have achieved anything. That his previous album “Airdrawndagger” has been produced by Tom Holkenborg, as Sasha entered the studio with only a few melodies in mind. This must be nothing more than cruel and disgusting gossips.
First arrived a 20 minutes long promo, which strongly sharpened my appetite for the whole album. Finally the one appeared in my letterbox. Yet the first listening let me presume that I’m in front of something very special and original as for electronic music. So I decided to apply myself over a dozen of playbacks to be not regretting any word here later. Because now I know the review will be rather brutal.
Though the tracklisting contains only artists names and titles, it is to be said that all the tracks have been edited or remixed by Sasha himself. Or maybe not only himself. But lets better talk about the music. The album has a perfect beginning. The very first sounds of percussion and bass line tell that the album will be a half rock and half electronic album. Could be great if it would, but appearing vocals taste exactly like Brit Pop which is a in a way disgusting to me. Further trance corrida and shaman songs - performed by again very popular Shpongle – sink into well known to Holden’s fans track “These Days” from Petter. Excellent work! I wish it could last longer than two minutes without the UNKLE vocals which could only destroy the impression. And it did destroyed! But don’t worry, vocals will waste yet few more good tracks on the album. Like for example the best piece here called “Smile”, which in the beginning sounds like a super electro by Anthony Rother with a blend of house from Laurent Garnier, and in the end like one of stupid Cher’s songs. In this moment I always think that Sasha has simply fallen in love! Eleventh - I guess - remix of “Belong” doesn’t make the album nicer, all the more there are much better versions than the one on “Involver”. Much better because less popy! It is going to be even worst – “In a State” is coming. I think Sasha wants to prove that he can kill the track faster than he did the “Cowpander”. I am sorry, I just can’t listen to it any more. Another big minus for the most boring remix of “Burma”, which has been divested of everything interesting the original had to offer. The album rescues Urlich Schnauss with a perfect optimistic track “On My Own” from the “A Strangely Isolated Place” album.
Am I reviewing a bad album? No, I’m writing about Sasha’s work, and I expected something better from him. I think I could because he woke up my hopes with his excellent first album. There are some splendid themes and mixes but as a whole piece, the album is too boring for pop and not enough soothing for lounge. And the vocals...
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~Gee (August 19th, 2004):
roger that preacher!
