To hardcore fans of the breaks scene, Adam Freeland's reputation for daring, technically astounding mixes often precedes him. His phenomenal production discography is no slouch either, including a Grammy nomination (for his remix of Sarah Vaughan's "Fever"), and a spot on The Animatrix soundtrack. Freeland's own acclaimed label, Marine Parade, faced a bleak future after one its distributors liquidated. Well, breaks fans, fret no longer: Freeland now returns to the ring with Global Underground 32, his latest mix compilation. Weighing in at two CD's and spanning from raucous electro to submissive minimal, GU32 has something for everyone that ventures within.

On CD1, Freeland pulverizes listeners into submission, and anyone looking for a glimpse into electro's future has just found it. A fine descent into some of the dirtiest and most enticing electro talents today, this mix is downright mean. Right from the start, Freeland's intentions are distinctly clear, and by track two the CD has become a romping synth monster, with a broken, malicious number courtesy of SebastiAn. The mix soars from here, feeding listeners gratuitous helpings of dirty synth and menacing basslines that flow from one clashing giant to the next. Any fan of Daft Punk-esque funk & synth will be right at home. Freeland's "Silverlake Pills" is a definite highlight, proving that he's just as polished at producing electro as he is mixing it. Soon on display are Huntemann's "37º"; methodic, slow-moving death, and Justice, one of today's hottest electro names. From there on, Freeland keeps things maxed until it plateaus with Kavinsky's "Testarossa".

CD2 is where Freeland shows his audience something astounding without bashing their heads in. Listeners are treated to a graceful, atmospheric journey through all things melodic. True to Freeland's tendencies, genres don't intrude on something great, and he leads listeners through everything from harmonious techno, gentle minimal, to his own forte, breaks. By mid-disc, he's hit full stride, and the harmonic, gentle mix of old has now twisted into a crashing breaks party, supplemented impeccably by Freeland's stunning remix of "Nowhere Girl". This track's massive, patient crescendo brings everything to a deservedly spectacular climax. To newcomers looking for a fresh taste of Freeland's abilities, CD2 provides an ample showcase. While CD1 is high-octane dancefloor brilliance, it more or less stays within one medium. Freeland's second mix weaves in and out of genres like a defiant boxer, and in that respect best gives listeners a taste of Freeland's apathetic flair and raw talent as a DJ.

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A classic video for a classic track...check out "We Want Your Soul"!