Global Underground 009: San Francisco cover

Released 28 years ago this November

Global Underground 009: San Francisco

Sasha · 1998

147 min · 27 tracks · house music

A mesmerizing blend of deep house grooves and ethereal melodies that captures the vibrant energy of San Francisco's nightlife.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Platform Start here — This track stands out as a perfect embodiment of Sasha's signature sound, blending hypnotic beats with layered textures that create an immersive listening experience.
  • →
    Blue Stream — With its captivating melody and dynamic rhythm, this track encapsulates the essence of late-night dance floors, resonating with both emotion and energy.
  • →
    Hale Bopp — This piece showcases Sasha's ability to build tension through gradual layering, culminating in an exhilarating drop that highlights his mastery of pacing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album excels in mixing and atmosphere, with strong cohesion and distinct sound, reflecting Sasha's influence in electronic music.

What we noticed

  • The album features long, seamless transitions between tracks, creating a continuous flow that mimics a live DJ set.
  • Several tracks incorporate atmospheric soundscapes alongside deep basslines, enhancing the immersive experience.
  • The first half of the album maintains a steady tempo, while the latter half introduces more varied rhythms and textures.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with peaks
  • hypnotic beats for dancing
  • vibrant nightlife immersion
  • extended mixes for deep focus
  • dynamic flow for late nights

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album solidified Sasha's reputation in electronic music, following earlier successes.
Themes
San Francisco nightlife· late-night dance floors· hypnotic beats
Career context
In 1998, Sasha was solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in electronic music, following the success of his breakthrough album 'Airdrawndagger'. 'Global Underground 009: San Francisco' represents a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his ability to fuse various styles while pushing the boundaries of house music during a period when the genre was gaining global prominence.
Stylistic neighbors
John Digweed· Nick Warren· Guy J
New to Sasha? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • I'm Free (William Orbit mix)

    The bridge introduces a shift in perspective that evokes feelings of liberation amidst a pulsating backdrop.

    This change in lyrical focus enhances the emotional depth, contrasting the earlier verses and emphasizing personal freedom against an electrifying sonic landscape.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Intro 3:08
  • 2 Platform Start here 7:23
  • 3 Solid Space Business 2:12
  • 4 Protect Your Mind (Van Bellen mix) 6:46
  • 5 Resurrection 5:54
  • 6 The Resurrection E.P. 6:09
  • 7 Spectral Analysis 2:42
  • 8 Blue Stream 4:48
  • 9 Empress II 3:56
  • 10 Bulgarian (Incisions remix) 6:24
  • 11 Soul to Bare (C. Hornbostel remix) 3:42
  • 12 Everything’s Not You (Quivver’s Space mix) 6:23
  • 13 I’m Free (William Orbit mix) 8:44
  • 14 Anomaly (Calling Your Name) (Albion mix) 5:31

Disc 2

  • 1 Intro 3:40
  • 2 Blue 5:39
  • 3 Hale Bopp 4:34
  • 4 Hope 4:48
  • 5 Clarkness 4:48
  • 6 Acoustic Principles 5:17
  • 7 Psionic 4:48
  • 8 The Chain 9:38
  • 9 Change Me 5:46
  • 10 Twilo Thunder 9:08
  • 11 Movin’ Thru Your System 5:02
  • 12 The Mission 5:46
  • 13 I Dream (Tilt’s Resurrection mix) 4:45

What to play next

Global Underground 013: Ibiza
Listen next

Global Underground 013: Ibiza

1999

Continues the deep house journey with vibrant energy and melodic depth.
Xpander
Go back to

Xpander

1999

Provides a smooth transition into Sasha's evolving sound and style.
Full Sasha discography Where to start with Sasha Artists like Sasha

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Global Underground 014: Hong Kong

Global Underground 014: Hong Kong

John Digweed

Shares deep house grooves and atmospheric builds, capturing a vibrant nightlife energy.

Junk Science

Junk Science

Deep Dish

Features hypnotic beats and lush production, creating an immersive late-night listening experience.

Movements

Movements

Booka Shade

Combines deep grooves with ethereal soundscapes, resonating with the same late-night vibe and energy.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata