Renaissance - The Mix Collection
Encyclopedia
Renaissance: The Mix Collection is the first mix CD set by Sasha & John Digweed
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that released one of the first 'mixed' albums in 1993, with their album 'The Sessions'. Renaissance: The Mix Collection, however, received much more critique. Some wondered if the idea of a CD being mixed would take off, while others simply couldn't praise it enough. With an RRP of £20, and some shops charging, rarely has an album made such an impact on the music market. And music history, for that matter.
Presented in a card Digi-Pack, the case unfolds into 4 faces; each CD section has a separate flap that folds over it, while the case packaging itself folds like a bible, continuing the Renaissance theme. Pictured on the front flap is a typical renaissance painting by Michelangelo, while a landscape portrait of a colleseum under a bright blue sky stretches inside the packaging. The CDs are arranged by colour; blue, orange, and green. The story behind Renaissance, the club, between 1992 and 1994 is written on top of the CD flaps. Due to the case's heavy faces only being held by card, it's rare to find an original completely intact from damage to the seams.
The album was mixed by Alexander Coe (aka Sasha) and John Digweed - both resident DJ's at Renaissance in 1994. Each CD reflects a different style of music - CD 1 (Blue) has a more 'Leftfield' sound to it, with what was then trance, though it would be foolish to call it a pure trance CD because at this time, much dance music represented a unique blend between house and trance, giving this era a unique feel and sound. Stand-out tracks that mark 'high points' include the hit "Perfect Motion", and a high euphoric remix of Blade Runner's ending theme tune, simply titled 'Blade Runner'. This CD starts with a very clever mix between 3 versions of Leftfields 'Song For Life', which sets the tone for the first album.
The second CD (Orange) has a more funky theme to it. It can generally be said this is a house mix, though odd songs like 'Not Over Yet' by Grace can be seen as trance. This CD reflects best what Italian House was all about in a truly psychedelic, bouncy, and fun way. A rare 12" mix included is Kym Mazzelles 'Was That All It Was', which has been covered many times over, but the remix included on this album has a house feel to it. Out of the 3 CDs, the second CD is technically more varied in its mixing between songs than the other two.
The Third CD (Green) has a slightly darker, but at the same time more euphoric feel to it than the other 2 CDs, reflecting a typical club situation with a continuous build-up of tension until the end. In this case, the 2 DJ's progress to a goose-bump moment in which the albums highest point is met on 'Age of Love' - perhaps the finest example of what Renaissance, and this era was all about musically. With a more tech/synth sound to it, this CD sounds all the more powerful than the previous, leading up to its stunning ending.
d a remaster
ed edition of the album for the 10th anniversary of its original release.
Both M People tracks were removed from this release and replaced with other contemporaneous dance singles: "Renaissance" with "Stand Above Me" by OMD
, and "How Can I Love You More" with "I Can't Forget You" (Fathers of Sound Pleasure mix) by Anthony White. The changes were due to Copyright issues from the record labels.
The re-issued album is not a straight re-mastering, but a whole new session. Though the original blend sequences remain the same, as do all the original elements, Sasha and Digweed re-created the album using Apple G4 laptops
in order to create, what they considered, a better quality version of the original mix, with recording techniques simply not available in 1994, as well as the advantage of crystal clear audio, and spatial separation of frequencies within the song, making it sound more dynamic.
Sasha & John Digweed
Sasha & John Digweed are a pair of DJs from the United Kingdom. John Digweed had been DJ-ing for ten years before getting a gig at Renaissance where he met Sasha, who had been working the past few years in various acid house clubs and raves. Together, he and Sasha honed their DJ skills, focusing...
.
Overview and Significance to History of Mixed Dance Albums
To this day, Renaissance: The Mix Collection is considered the first true fully mixed dance album. It should be remembered, however, that it was actually Ministry of SoundMinistry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
that released one of the first 'mixed' albums in 1993, with their album 'The Sessions'. Renaissance: The Mix Collection, however, received much more critique. Some wondered if the idea of a CD being mixed would take off, while others simply couldn't praise it enough. With an RRP of £20, and some shops charging, rarely has an album made such an impact on the music market. And music history, for that matter.
Presented in a card Digi-Pack, the case unfolds into 4 faces; each CD section has a separate flap that folds over it, while the case packaging itself folds like a bible, continuing the Renaissance theme. Pictured on the front flap is a typical renaissance painting by Michelangelo, while a landscape portrait of a colleseum under a bright blue sky stretches inside the packaging. The CDs are arranged by colour; blue, orange, and green. The story behind Renaissance, the club, between 1992 and 1994 is written on top of the CD flaps. Due to the case's heavy faces only being held by card, it's rare to find an original completely intact from damage to the seams.
The Music
Renaissance: The Mix Collection is a mix of Italian House and Trance, with a brief selection of UK house songs of the era between 1992 and 1994. The songs chosen were supposed to give the listener "an idea of what Renaissance was all about" (quoted from packaging). As suggested by the albums name, it was given the title "Renaissance" for two reasons. Firstly, it reflected a surge of Italian piano/funky house that was being mastered by the likes of Alexander Coe (Sasha) at the club "Renaissance" in Britain. But more importantly, "Renaissance" also stands for 'rebirth' or more freely, 'a time of change, and so with the dance music scene heavy on acid house up north, it gave the mature clubber a more brighter and beautiful outlook on what dance music 'should be'.The album was mixed by Alexander Coe (aka Sasha) and John Digweed - both resident DJ's at Renaissance in 1994. Each CD reflects a different style of music - CD 1 (Blue) has a more 'Leftfield' sound to it, with what was then trance, though it would be foolish to call it a pure trance CD because at this time, much dance music represented a unique blend between house and trance, giving this era a unique feel and sound. Stand-out tracks that mark 'high points' include the hit "Perfect Motion", and a high euphoric remix of Blade Runner's ending theme tune, simply titled 'Blade Runner'. This CD starts with a very clever mix between 3 versions of Leftfields 'Song For Life', which sets the tone for the first album.
The second CD (Orange) has a more funky theme to it. It can generally be said this is a house mix, though odd songs like 'Not Over Yet' by Grace can be seen as trance. This CD reflects best what Italian House was all about in a truly psychedelic, bouncy, and fun way. A rare 12" mix included is Kym Mazzelles 'Was That All It Was', which has been covered many times over, but the remix included on this album has a house feel to it. Out of the 3 CDs, the second CD is technically more varied in its mixing between songs than the other two.
The Third CD (Green) has a slightly darker, but at the same time more euphoric feel to it than the other 2 CDs, reflecting a typical club situation with a continuous build-up of tension until the end. In this case, the 2 DJ's progress to a goose-bump moment in which the albums highest point is met on 'Age of Love' - perhaps the finest example of what Renaissance, and this era was all about musically. With a more tech/synth sound to it, this CD sounds all the more powerful than the previous, leading up to its stunning ending.
10th Anniversary Reissue
In 2004, Renaissance reissueReissue
A reissue is the repeated issue of a published work. In common usage, it refers to an album which has been released at least once before and is released again, sometimes with alterations or additions....
d a remaster
Remaster
Remaster is a word marketed mostly in the digital audio age, although the remastering process has existed since recording began...
ed edition of the album for the 10th anniversary of its original release.
Both M People tracks were removed from this release and replaced with other contemporaneous dance singles: "Renaissance" with "Stand Above Me" by OMD
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
, and "How Can I Love You More" with "I Can't Forget You" (Fathers of Sound Pleasure mix) by Anthony White. The changes were due to Copyright issues from the record labels.
The re-issued album is not a straight re-mastering, but a whole new session. Though the original blend sequences remain the same, as do all the original elements, Sasha and Digweed re-created the album using Apple G4 laptops
PowerBook G4
The PowerBook G4 are a series of notebook computers that were manufactured, marketed, and sold by Apple, Inc. between 2001 and 2006 as part of its PowerBook line. It uses the PowerPC G4 processor, initially produced by Motorola and later by Freescale, after Motorola spun off its semiconductor...
in order to create, what they considered, a better quality version of the original mix, with recording techniques simply not available in 1994, as well as the advantage of crystal clear audio, and spatial separation of frequencies within the song, making it sound more dynamic.
Disc one
- LeftfieldLeftfieldLeftfield are a British duo of electronica artists and record producers, namely Paul Daley and Neil Barnes, who formed in 1990 in London, England...
- "Song of LifeSong of Life"Song of Life" is the fourth single released under the Leftfield name and the first to have a CD single release. The song was released on 12" and CD in January 1993. The sleeve of the single had the footnote "dedicated to the memory of Steve Walters whose support, friendship and encouragement will...
" (Lemon InterruptUnderworld (band)Underworld are a British electronic group, and principal name under which duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have recorded together since 1980.- Early years: 1979–1986 :...
mix) – 5:26 - Leftfield - "Song of Life" (Dub for Life mix) – 4:02
- Leftfield - "Song of Life" (Steppin' RazorUnderworld (band)Underworld are a British electronic group, and principal name under which duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have recorded together since 1980.- Early years: 1979–1986 :...
mix) – 2:16 - BedrockBedrock (producers)Bedrock is a British trance and house production duo, featuring John Digweed and Nick Muir. They produced the singles "For What You Dream Of" , "Set In Stone" / "Forbidden Zone" , "Heaven Scent" and "Voices" , all of which reached the UK Singles Chart...
featuring Carol LeemingCarol LeemingCarol Leeming is a British female singer/songwriter who lives in Leicester England. She also goes by the alias KYO and works with other acts, mostly as a featured vocalist...
- "For What You Dream Of" (Full On Renaissance mix) – 6:19 - Rhythm Invention - "Chronoclasm" – 2:37
- Disco Evangelists - "De Niro" (Spaceflight remix) – 6:06
- Memphisto - "State of Mind" (Quiet mix) – 1:43
- Moonchild - "V.O.A.T" (original mix) – 5:28
- SunscreemSunscreemSunscreem is a techno/house band from Essex, England, who scored a number of hits on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century. Sunscreem also has the rare reputation as a techno-based band that successfully performs concerts...
- "Perfect Motion" (Heller & Farley's Boy's Own mix) – 10:09 - River OceanMasters At WorkMasters at Work is the house/garage production and remix team of "Little" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. They first worked together using the name, which had been given to them by mutual friend Todd Terry , in 1990...
- "Love & Happiness" (X-Press 2X-Press 2X-Press 2 is an English electronic and dance music duo. The members are DJ Diesel and DJ Rocky . Ashley Beedle left to pursue solo projects in 2009.-History:...
's Junior Boy's OwnJunior Boy's OwnJunior Boy's Own is a London, UK-based record labelTerry Farley joined Andrew Weatherall, Cymon Eckel, Pete Heller and Steven Hall to form Boy's Own Recordings , then in 1992 Terry Farley and Steven Hall began Junior Recordings Ltd., which started to use the label Junior Boy's Own. The label is...
Super dub) – 4:27 - That Kid Chris - "Keep On Pressin' On" (Didn't I Show You Luv mix) – 5:48
- Remake - "Bladerunner"/Inner City - "'Til We Meet Again" (Brothers in RhythmBrothers in RhythmBrothers In Rhythm is a house music duo consisting of producers / remixers and DJs Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman. As a duo and individually, they have remixed and/or produced tracks by Lulu, M People, Secret Life, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Garbage,...
Perkappella) – 4:24 - Bump - "House Stompin'" (Big Bump mix) – 7:02
- F Machine - "Child Bride" (Feedback Max mix) – 4:28
- M PeopleM PeopleM People are a British house music act from Manchester, who formed in 1990 and achieved success throughout most of the 1990s. The name M People is from the initials of Mike Pickering, who formed the group.-Career:...
- "Renaissance" (John DigweedJohn DigweedJohn Digweed is an English DJ, record producer and acclaimed actor.-Biography:John Digweed began DJing around age 4...
's Full On mix) – 7:41
Disc two
- FlukeFluke (band)Fluke are an English electronic music group formed in the late 1980s by Mike Bryant, Jon Fugler and Mike Tournier with Julian Nugent as the band's manager...
- "SlidSlid (Fluke song)"Slid" is the sixth single by the English electronic music band Fluke. Taken from the album, Six Wheels on My Wagon the track became a club hit with the likes of Sasha and also appeared on the Sliver soundtrack.-Versions:...
" (PDF mix) – 4:43 - Funk Machine - "Let's Get This Party Started" (Party mix) – 5:20
- Fluke - "Slid" (Justin RobertsonJustin RobertsonJustin Robertson is a British DJ, remixer and electronic music producer from Manchester, England. He has remixed dozens of high-profile music artists as himself or as The Prankster, fronted the group Lionrock and has released albums and singles of original music under his own name and the name...
's Scat & Frenzy) – 5:01 - Corrado - "Trust" (Pink mix) – 5:02
- MBG - "Trance 1" (Oriental Psycho Estmix) – 2:01
- Hysterix - "Talk to Me" (SashaSasha (DJ)Sasha is a Welsh DJ and record producer. Sasha began his career playing acid house dance music in the late 1980s...
's Full Master mix) – 7:04 - Annadin - "Angel" – 7:18
- Virtualmismo - "Mismoplastico" (Dirtysyncomix) – 3:30
- Virtualmismo - "Mismoplastico" (original remix) – 5:29
- Fishbone Beat - "Always" (Psychedelic Martini remix) – 3:39
- GraceGrace (dance music)Grace were a 1990s dance music act, consisting of DJs Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne and jazz singer Dominique Atkins.. The group's debut single 'Not Over Yet' featured lead and backing vocals by original front-woman Patti Low...
- "Not Over YetNot Over YetNot Over Yet is a song by Grace, released as a single in 1995 peaking in the UK Singles Chart at #6 and topping the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the United States. The song was originally released in 1993 under the alias State of Grace. Lead vocals and backing vocals on the track were...
" (PerfectoPaul OakenfoldPaul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
mix) – 5:47 - Secret LifeSecret Life (band)Secret Life was a British R&B/house and pop band active from 1991 to 1996, particularly popular in the UK and Europe.-History:The first release by Secret Life was a white label recording called "Spanish Lullaby", written and produced by Andy Throup and Jim Di Salvo. This was their first release...
- "She Holds the Key" (H.A.L.F. I'm a Believer mix) – 4:16 - Funtopia featuring Jimi Polo - "Do You Wanna Know" (Gut Drum mix) – 5:07
- V.F.R. - "Tranceillusion" (Original mix) – 3:16
- Kym MazelleKym MazelleKym Mazelle is an American dance-pop, Hi-NRG, soul, and house singer. She was brought up and lived on the same street as the Jackson family and knew Michael Jackson's mother and uncle.-Career:...
- "Was That All It Was" (David MoralesDavid MoralesDavid Morales is an internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific remixers of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks...
' Def mix) – 7:07)
Disc three
- M People - "How Can I Love You More" (QATSasha (DJ)Sasha is a Welsh DJ and record producer. Sasha began his career playing acid house dance music in the late 1980s...
mix) – 7:20 - MobyMobyRichard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
- "Go" (Nighttime mix) – 5:19 - Jaco - "Show Some Love" (original dub) – 6:38
- SpookySpookySpooky is a British house/techno duo consisting of Duncan Forbes and Charlie May. They debuted with Gargantuan in 1993 after signing to Guerilla Records. In 1995 and 1996 they released three EPs on their own Generic Records label, followed quickly in mid-1996 by their second album, Found Sound...
- "Little Bullet" (High Velocity mix) – 6:20 - Havana - "Sublime Theme" (dub) – 3:48
- Shawn ChristopherShawn ChristopherShawn Christopher is a female African American dance music singer from Chicago, Illinois.-Career:She was a touring backing vocalist for R&B singer Chaka Khan from 1982 to 1985. She is also a former member of the industrial dance band known as My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, and sang with the...
- "Another Sleepless Night" (Bassman mix) – 4:17 - Unity 3 - "Age of Love" (Trance Dub & Fantasy mix) – 4:48
- EMFEMF (band)EMF were an indie dance band from the United Kingdom. The band, from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, came to prominence at the beginning of the 1990s. During its initial eight year run , EMF had released three studio albums and had gone on hiatus and reformed twice...
- "They're HereThey're Here"They're Here" is a single from British band EMF from their second album Stigma. It reached number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.-CDR 6321 :#They're Here #They're Here #They're Here...
" (D:Ream Dream) – 6:10 - Solar Plexus - "Solar Plexus" – 3:31
- Havana - "Ethnic Prayer" (Euro mix) – 5:32
- 2 Bad Mice2 Bad Mice2 Bad Mice formed in England in 1991, and was composed of Sean O'Keeffe, Simon Colebrooke, and Rob Playford, the latter the owner of the Moving Shadow record label. 2 Bad Mice were credited as among the first UK hardcore acts to begin incorporating breakbeats into their style...
- "Bombscare" – 3:32 - Age of Love - "The Age of LoveThe Age of Love (Age of Love single)"Age of Love" is the 1990 self-titled single of the Age of Love. It is notable as an early popular example of trance music.Released in 1990, itn was produced by Bruno Sanchioni and Giuseppe Cherchia , with vocals by Karen Mulder "The Age of Love" was originally released by the Belgian label Diki...
" (Jam & SpoonJam & SpoonJam & Spoon was an electronic dance duo from Frankfurt, Germany, that consisted of composers and producers Rolf Ellmer and Markus Löffel . They also worked under the pseudonyms Tokyo Ghetto Pussy, Storm and Big Room...
's Watch Out for Stella mix) – 6:14 - My Friend Sam featuring Viola Wills - "It's My Pleasure" (Rick van Breugel's club mix) – 5:24
- Lemon InterruptUnderworld (band)Underworld are a British electronic group, and principal name under which duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have recorded together since 1980.- Early years: 1979–1986 :...
- "Dirty" – 4:03