Carl Cox releases his debut Global Underground mix album, ‘Black Rock Desert,’ on 25 Jan 2010. Taken from a storming 2 hour set in The Opulent Temple in the Black Rock Desert this summer.
Both CDs are bursting with exclusives. CD1 includes the whacked out groove of Tiefschwarz’s ‘Trust’ and Onionz’s ‘Spacebass’ (Original Mix), with its rocket jet booms and spiralling percussion. Guy J’s ‘Lamur’ (Henry Saiz remix) drops a tribal robot stomp, before the shuffling beats of Alan Fitzpatrick’s ‘Green Light’ take over. Fitzpatrick also supplies a panting re-rub of ‘Slice’ from New York techno legend Joey Beltram.
‘Main Room Part 1’ by Robbie Rivera opens CD2, with piercing strings launching into a harder, more madcap mix that is Carl’s favourite of the two. Joachim Gaurraud’s ‘No Techno In This Room Please’ is a highlight with clanging bin-lid percussion, echoing howls and submarine bass wallops. ‘Perfect Sunrise’ by Wilson Smallwood & Ingram drops in gloopy twists reminiscent of 808 State’s ‘Pacific State’ and Politeca’s ‘What Kind Of World’ closes with its pulsing, jazzy undertones.
No label encapsulates dance music's international explosion and restless creativity quite like Global Underground. Launched in 1996 with a Tony de Vit mix album based on a visit to Tel Aviv, it has expanded from a world-famous series of defining DJ mix CDs into all areas of cutting edge dance music. They have released artist albums for acts like James Lavelle's UNKLE, soundtracked some of the world’s most popular TV shows, including CSI, and some of PlayStation's biggest selling games, and staged fantastic parties in some of the world’s most exotic locations – not to mention selling over three million CDs. And now they’ve touched down in Nevada.
“When I finally decided to do a Global Underground mix it just had to be here ,” says Carl. Everything aside from the entrance fee is free. It’s all about sharing and contributing to the experience. People barter, offering everything from free artwork installations to free flirting lessons and drinks. And Nevada looks like a scene from mad Max
Jason Teplitsky and Syd Gris finally talked Carl into playing at the festival’s Opulent Temple in 2008. He was so moved by the event, he resolved to keep coming back every year. “It’s people who are there for their own reasons – whether it’s to laugh, to cry, to have sex, to listen to music, whether you want to run around naked, or fully clothed,” says Carl. “It doesn’t matter if you are a big DJ. It’s all about what you want to give. I’ve spent a lot of my own money to play here, but I don’t care. I give people my music and I get back a lot of love. That’s enough.”
Carl defines techno: his 1995 techno mix album ‘F.A.C.T’ sold 250,000 copies; he had three Top 30 UK hits – with ‘I Want You’ in 1991, The ‘Two Paintings And A Drum’ EP in 1996, and later ‘Sensual Sophist-i-cat’. From ‘96-‘03 his Ultimate Base night at London’s Velvet Rooms attracted the likes of Sven Vath and Laurent Garnier, who used to come just to dance. In ‘06, his night at Space won Best Ibiza Club Night at the Ibiza DJ Awards, in ‘08 he returned to the UK with the Carl Cox And Friends Night at Heaven and readers of Mixmag voted him the Best DJ of the last 25 years. Now 47, he lives half the year in Melbourne, Australia, and continues headlining the best clubs and parties all over the world. “After the Ibiza season, after the festivals I’ve done, after my own events,” he said, “the story still continues in a massive way – I’m working with new people, seeing different places and I’m overjoyed the Global Underground team got me on board for this mix.”
Global Underground presents Carl Cox: Black Rock Desert is out 25 Jan 2010.
2010 also sees Carl relaunch his legendary Intec label, and release his hotly-tipped new artist album.
Learn more about Carl’s experiences at Black Rock Desert, check out the photos, plus more at www.carlcoxblackrock.co.uk
