Sharam, one half of the electronic super-duo Deep Dish, mixes up the newest edition of the critically acclaimed series Global Underground, this time taking his sound to the people of Dubai. After his recent trip to the Trilogy super club in the rising urban metropolis of Dubai, he was inspired to bring this sound to everyone across the globe.
This double-disc mix compilation shows no signs of his Iranian upbringing (he lived there until he was 14 years old) and is an upbeat mix of progressive beats and sensual vocals. The two-CD set features tracks and remixes from world-renowned producers such as Paul Van Dyk, Felix da Housecat, Pig & Dan, Cedric Gervais, Pete Heller, Armin van Buuren, Planet Funk, 16 Bit Lolitas, Motorcycle, and Valentino Kanzyani. The mix opener is DYAD10 with "Sugar (Sweet Thing)" remixed by Nicka & Alse. It starts with a melodic blend of percussion, crunchy synths, and sweet sultry vocals. The bassline kicks into a comfortable but harder tribal rhythm before being melted into the next track.
Further in features an appearance of the Dutch duo 16 Bit Lolitas. The enchanting vocals on "Passing Lights" are both soothing and driving with touches of filtered snare drum and deep waves of organ sounds. The trance main man makes an appearance midway through the disc, with vocalist Wayne Jackson, on the track "The Other Side." Deep Dish handles the knob-twisting duties on their "Other Than This Side Remix," which gives the track some banging drums and some acid- and filtered-synth lines that compliment the vocals nicely. The 16 Bit Lolitas return near the end of the first disc with their hit "Sedna," mashed up nicely with Motorcycle.
"Deep Breath Sedna" features the incredible vocals of Jes, the uplifting synth of Gabriel & Dresden, and flawless percussion. The last three tracks are an all-star cast with Creamer & K, Dave Audé, and Pig & Dan doing their respective duties. Mr. Miami, Cedric Gervais, breaks down and rearranges Creamer and K's track "Something to Lose" into his own vision with electro funkiness and glitchy vocals. Next up is Crime Mob featuring Miss Aisha; a hip-hop track put through the ringer by Dave Audé. It's raw and funky and is an interesting addition to this compilation.
The second disc starts out very chill with a Latin house flavor and pianos that make your feet move and groove. The Reese Project belts out some soulful vocals and the always in-style Joey Negro lays down the groovy rhythm.
Summing up this disc and the compilation is funky writers Plane Funk with a male vocal-laden breakbeat. They slow it down a notch and make it nice and mellow for a soft ending to a wonderful mix CD that crosses boundaries but never ventures too far from the sound you would expect to hear from Sharam. Another quality release from Global Underground, pick this up if you need a fix of smooth and crunchy, hard and soft, fresh and new in your life. Sharam, I salute you!