Global Underground #42: Patrice Bäumel - Berlin Edition

This double cd is in heavy, digipak packaging (I wish I had a scale to weight it, just to satisfy my curiosity). It is beautifully made, and there is a booklet of 24 stunning, glossy photos of Berlin to look at. There is a great photo of Patrice standing outside of a shop, and there are a couple of pages—sort of a mini autobiography of Patrice: He was born in East Germany. I cannot overstate what a beautifully crafted digipak this is. I would buy this cd set for this alone. CD1 has 23 tracks. Track #12, Synthesia, is like a wrecking ball destroying everything in its path with superhero-type pounding beats (yeah, that's what I love) and the mix is really clean. Exceptional, really. There is a steady, head-nodding beat throughout, and sounds flow in and out of the mix effortlessly. I love the track selection; it is near perfect. CD2 hits harder. There is a constant rumble and roar of big beats and bass. Vocals don't appear until "So Cheap" by Swayzak (track#8). Thoroughly enjoyed this record. It closes in on perfection. Really. Made me smile quite a few times (the only downside might be the lack of vocals). Patrice takes us into the future of dj mixing. Light years ahead of anything else out there (I liked this so much that I bought a 2nd copy).

Patrick Baumel really sets the tone of the music scene in Berlin with an up and down (tempo not quality) mix, which perhaps matches the title city of the mix more than any other in the Global Underground series. You won't find vocals, which is also a bit different for a city series, and usually found more in the Nubreed or other GU releases, but this techno and tech house feels right at home in Berlin.I usually don't like this many tracks in mixes, or ones where the ride takes you back and forth through slower tracks and then right back up to higher energy ones, but this mix has changed my opinion on that. I fully enjoyed both of these aspects of both mixes. There are so many melodies and moments that will stay with you long after listening, and songs that you'll love to revisit on subsequent listens.The Balance mix series made a strong comeback recently, so let's hope the GU city series also stays revived. Nice way to kick it back off, Patrice.

I own every record Global Underground has ever release going back to GU 001 in 1996. I think this is best one since GU 019/Los Angeles by John Digweed 20 years ago. Great release. More please...

I have tried CD after CD from various artists. Most turned out to be O.K. stuff or very nice. I stumbled upon this and went "Oh Yea!, This is what I have been looking for". I can't believe there is a Techno fan out there who wouldn't give a thumbs up to this collection. Just "WOW".

everything fine

Unlike the other reviewer I really enjoy this mix comp. I have every GU City Series mixes and this one is as good most others. To me this is one of Baumel's better mix albums, I like this more than his Balance comp. The track selection is good and I feel the mixing is on point with a good flow throughout the album. I've already listened to the whole album a few times.Everyone has different tastes so of course there will be people that don't like a comp as much as the next guy but for me this is an album I think most GU and Baumel fans will enjoy.

One of the best GU mixes ever! This is an amazing mix, i have listened three times and can give it an honest review. Emotional, a journey, spacey, techy, ambient, progressive and all around beautiful. I am really blown away! I have the entire GU mix series collection and this has really brought back memories of the Sasha, John Digweed, Dave Seaman and Darren Emerson mixes. I am really impressed with Patrice Baumel and he is now on my bucket list to see in person.

Disappointing; this album is so hopelessly melancholic and emotionless it’s like listening to a clothing dryer running… Definitely doesn’t deserve the GU label.