Renaissance: Desire - Dave Seaman

Renaissance: Desire finds British ex-journo remixer Dave Seaman fighting to keep his delicate talents from being swallowed by an indifference of the popular progressive trance scene. Rather than allowing the long-drawn-out feel of the previous year's Global Underground installment to seep too far, Seaman is more aware of his weak spots for mood and tone. Large sections of the first disc verge on the early-'90s ambient dance movement, including Francois K's remix of Finley Quaye's "Spiritualized," Lovesky's "Drums 4 Better Daze," and Pete Heller's liberal mix of Moby's "Southside," while the anthem-ready climaxes appear but briefly in tracks like Sputnik's compilation-ready "Stylus Trouble." There's a passing reminder of the Trance Europe Express series in the second disc. Junkie XL, Slacker, and Seaman's own remix of Placebo's "Passive Aggressive" work well in the casual bend of the disc, though Seaman's distanced touch does the final impact no favors. It, along with much of the release, is too busy with constructing mixed academics for it to thrill or comfort much, the product of an acclaimed second-generation DJ being pulled apart by good intentions and his own creative panic. ~ Dean Carlson, All Music Guide