Rating:
Genre:
Electronica
Release Date: 05/01/2001
Renaissance: Desire finds British ex-journo remixer
Dave Seaman fighting to keep his delicate talents from being swallowed by an indifference of the popular
progressive trance scene. Rather than allowing the long-drawn-out feel of the previous year's
Global Underground installment to seep too far,
Seaman is more aware of his weak spots for mood and tone. Large sections of the first disc verge on the early-'90s
ambient dance movement, including
Francois K's remix of
Finley Quaye's
"Spiritualized," Lovesky's
"Drums 4 Better Daze," and
Pete Heller's liberal mix of
Moby's
"Southside," while the anthem-ready climaxes appear but briefly in tracks like
Sputnik's compilation-ready
"Stylus Trouble." There's a passing reminder of the
Trance Europe Express series in the second disc.
Junkie XL,
Slacker, and
Seaman's own remix of
Placebo's
"Passive Aggressive" work well in the casual bend of the disc, though
Seaman's distanced touch does the final impact no favors. It, along with much of the release, is too busy with constructing mixed academics for it to thrill or comfort much, the product of an acclaimed second-generation DJ being pulled apart by good intentions and his own creative panic.
~Dean Carlson, All Music Guide