- Ashley Casselle, resident at Gatecrasher in Sheffield, has undeniably mixed one of the surprise compilations of the year. Hailing from Hastings, a town that has a reputation for producing world class DJ’s in John Digweed and Danny Howells, Casselle joins the ranks in producing one of the mix compilations of the year. Despite his residency at Gatecrasher, this compilation steers well clear of any cheese that you may expect from anything associated with the Gatecrasher name. Rather this double CD is a fantastic journey into the deeper, more flowing side of progressive house.
CD1 includes many gems, such as Ashley’s very own production with James Christopher in Ashtrax – “Symmetry 1.0”. James Niche’s “Encounter” is a awe inspiring piece of production work that has smooth flow, with a sharp cutting edge. “Triple Funk” by Harry Lemon (aka. Lemon 8) has a progressive funk feel to it while the Expansions Remix of Bill Hamel’s “Perspectives Part 2” really drives Cd1to a successful climax.
Unlike many other CD’s on the market, CD2, instead of increasing the pace, slows the tempo to a somewhat Northern Exposure feel to it. The Darna Kelly remix of “Lizard Flock” by Jun W is a perfect example of the slower pace of this CD, a beautiful percussive piece with a submarine like sound in the background. “Coffeeshop People” continues the smooth groove as does Max 404 with “Niceta”. James Holden and Gwill Morris also tweak their magic with “Kirei” and the mix ends with the brilliant Weekend World mix of “Casa Del Regardo” by CTRL. It is next to impossible to single out track’s as this second CD is an extraordinary mix on the whole.
Well what else can be said about this release. It’s another must have compilation for the year from a DJ who’s status is set to rise and rise in the following years. There must be something in the air that we don’t know about in Hastings.
TRACKLITISTING
CD1
1. Symmetry 0.1 - Ashtrax
2. Adventures in blue - Eastern Strategy
3. Encounter - James Niche
4. Beach (Science Dept mix) - Coco & Stonebridge
5. Hydraulix (Sleepfreaks mix) - Cybermen
6. Container no 2 (Ian Wilkie's Virtual Dog mix) - Animated
7. Mantra - Stalker
8. Dream to me – Dario G
9. Triple funk - Lemon 8 (Accapella: Definitely – Natsu)
10. Pegassans - DJ Zank
11. Stylus trouble - Sputnik
12. You only hurt the one you love (Futureshock dub mix) – Emmie
13. Perspectives Part 2 (Expansions Remix) – Bill Hamel
14. Strings Ain’t What They Used To Be - Astrofarm
CD2
1. Present eventuality - Silver Lining
2. Microgroove - Spacejunk
3. Lizard flock - Jun W
4. Coffeeshop people (Orlando Careca coffee dub) - 42 Cows In Town
5. Niceta - Max 404
6. 20 minutes of disco glory (Simons Come Unity mix) - DJ Garth
7. Kirei - Orgenki Clinic
8. Me and Spoonice (Blue Effect Mix) - Spoon Wizard
9. Breezin' thru - Silver Lining
10. Vanishing point - Seconds Out
11. Casa Del Regardo (Weekend World Remix) - CTRL