Time to Xpand (Xpander - Sasha)

Member Name: samredmore

Product:	Xpander - Sasha
Date:	09/08/01 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Trance classic, Brilliant, relaxing tune

Disadvantages: Only available as double pack (expensive)

It is when a track always sounds as good, no matter how many times or how often you hear it, that you know you have production of the highest quality on your hands. I like many tracks when I first here them, only to go off them after hearing them too much. However, a track which I still love just as much as when I first heard it is, funnily enough, the track this opinion is about, "Xpander" by Alexander Coe, also, more commonly, known as Sasha. Or God.

"Xpander" is a track which, if I were to compile a list of my favourite tracks of all time, would certainly be nestled somewhere in the top three, with a big possibility of grabbing the top spot.

First heard two years ago, it immediately became my favourite track of the moment. The difference between this and most other tracks I like or have liked, is that I could listen to it constantly, over and over again, all day, and never become bored of it in the slightest. May I just also add, that of everybody I know who has heard this track, every single one of them liked it, almost as much as "Mysterious Girl" by Peter Andre.

Note: That last bit about Peter Andre was not a joke.

Note: Actually, it was.

Lets just say, they loved it ("Xpander" that is, not "Mysterious Girl").

"Xpander" is featured as part of the Sasha E.P, a vinyl double pack featuring the tracks "Xpander","Belfunk", "Rabbitweed" and "Baja". "Xpander" and "Belfunk" are both progressive trance tracks, whilst "Rabbitweed" and "Baja" have a more break-beat feel to them.

The E.P was released on 5th July 1999, on the record label 'Deconstruction'. "Xpander" was not a commercial track, and so I expect the majority of people reading this op have never heard it. However, if you are into progressive trance, I have no doubt this track will be very
familiar to you, after being hammered at clubs across the U.K, and being featured on many trance compilation albums. If you have never heard it, I recommend you take a listen if the opportunity arises. Incidentally, I did slip "Xpander" onto my latest mix tape. So if you wanted to hear it, but were unable to track it down, check out my profile page for more info on mix tapes.

With "Xpander" remaining an underground track, there was no music video made for it and it was rarely played on the radio. However, last year, whilst listening to Radio 1, I did notice it to be the backing music for somebody's show. Unfortunately, I have no recollection as to who's show it was, but you may be more familiar with the track than you think.

"Xpander" is made up of many sounds, making it a somewhat interesting affair to listen to. However, an excellent bass line, accompanied by a spine tingling melody comprise to make this, if you hadn't guessed from what has already said in this op, rather good track. I apologise for using the term 'spine tingling', but it really does make my spine tingle, so there is no other way of putting it I'm afraid.

Written by A. Coe (Sasha), D. Forbes and C. May, "Xpander" was recorded at Nobel Studios, as were "Belfunk" and "Rabbitweed", with "Baja" being recorded The Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

The duration of "Xpander" is 11 minutes 26 seconds, which, at first, may seem to be excessively long. However, believe me, it does not seem to be too long, with the melody never becoming tedious by the end of the track. Also, many progressive trance tracks exceed 10 minutes in length, so if you are a fan of progressive trance music, this will seem to be the standard length anyway. Another plus point about the track lasting so long is, if you are a DJ, you have a long time in which to prepare the next track, and make sure it
is at the correct tempo.

Right from the start of the track, there are various different sound effects going on, with a strong beat also. Having so much going on from the start of the track can make it tricky to mix, as if the previous track has much going on at the end, the mix will be too cluttered, and sound rather much like those featured on the Radio 1 Mix Selector. In other words, very poor. This can be avoided though by playing it after a track with only beats at the end, and seeing as it is so damn brilliant, I'm not really too bothered about what the intro sounds like, as you won't hear most of it anyway.

To the first breakdown then, and the track really starts to come to life. At the start of the breakdown, there is not much happening, only a few sound effects. Gradually the excellent bass line that I spoke of earlier, is filtered in, and, in my opinion, it sounds rather amazing. As the bass line gets stronger and stronger, a beat comes back into the track, with more and more sounds being added as the track heads towards the second breakdown.

At the second breakdown, the beat stops, leaving the bass line and sound effects going. After the bass line plays through once, in comes the spine-tingling tune I spoke of earlier. The tune is played on bells of some sort, and really is a brilliant, uplifting melody. At this point, the best part of the track, expect the harsh voice of Pete Tong to talk over it, "You're listening to..." - I'm sure he only does it to annoy you.

Anyway, words really cannot describe how good this melody is. You have to listen to it to appreciate what a wonderful tune this is. Guaranteed to bring a smile to my face every time.

The beats come back in and more and more sounds are added.

After this, the track breaks down to just a beat as the track starts to build again. More and more sounds effects gradually return to the track, before it reaches a mini-breakdown
, after which, the tune comes back in, as the final breakdown draws nearer.

At the third (and final) breakdown, the bass line cuts back in. There is a bit of a drum roll type sound, and the beats come back in, along with all the sound effects and bass line. The tune will gradually come back into the track, as it heads towards the end.

The tune and bass line then both stop come to an end, leaving only beats and various sound effects going. This will break down a bit more, leaving virtually just a beat running until the end, at which point, you lift the needle, place it down again at the start of the record and listen to it again. Well, I often find myself doing that anyway.

The only complaints I have about this track are:

1.) At the end, when the tune finishes, the track changes speed for a short time. This could really destroy what would have been a good mix. Luckily, it returns to the correct speed quite soon, so you therefore just mix a little later than you would have otherwise. Sorry if you didn't understand anything I just said, I knew what I meant anyway.
2.) It is only available as part of the Sasha E.P double pack, thus meaning you usually have to fork out about £10 to purchase it. But, in my view, it's certainly worth it.


This really is a tune and a half, and I pity those who have not yet heard, and consequently loved it. Undoubtedly, my favourite progressive trance track to date.

I give this track 10/10.


And on to the other tracks on the E.P then. First of all, this opinion is on the track "Xpander", so I will not go into much detail about the other tracks featured on the E.P. Also, I have to admit I have listened to the other tracks very little. This is because personally, I feel they are nowhere near as good as "Xpander", were not the reason for which I bought the E.P. and are not what this opinion is on really.


On the other side to &q
uot;Xpander", is "Belfunk".

"Belfunk" lasts for 11 minutes 7 seconds, which is of a similar length to "Xpander". Again, it has quite a nice relaxing tune, and my ears certainly don't object to it being played.

This track starts off with just a beat, and gradually builds up towards the breakdown. The intro lasts a long time, as does the breakdown. I think this is a good track, and could quite easily fit into the start of a set. Having said that though, it is not the kind of track I would listen to and then have stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

Although a good, solid track, it is also instantly forgettable.

I give this track 7/10.

"Rabbitweed" is featured on the other disc, with "Baja" on the other side to it.

"Rabbitweed" is 10 minutes 20 seconds long, and is more a break-beat track than trance. It has a much moodier feel to it than "Xpander" or "Belfunk", but also has quite a catchy tune. The track features three breakdowns, and is basically the same tune running throughout the track, accompanied by a very strong beat.

Not really my cup of tea, but quite catchy never-the-less.

I give this track 6/10.

"Baja" is the final track on the E.P, and also happens to be the longest, at 12 minutes 30 seconds long. It is also the most different to the other tracks on the E.P, and is a very atmospheric track. This track also features bells of some kind, and a very relaxing tune, but not nearly as good as that from "Xpander". This is a much more chilled track to the others, and I could easily imagine it being featured on a chill out compilation.

The track starts off without much going on, and gradually builds up, with a bass line and beat coming in about half way through the track. It breaks down again towards the end, and is overall, a very relaxing affair.

I give
this track 7/10.


"Xpander" is already a trance classic, and definitely one of my favourite tracks ever made. If you haven't heard it, I am telling you, you want to hear it. If you have already heard it, let me know what you think of it by leaving a comment or even writing your own op on it.

Also, if you do like this, check out "Scorchio", another track by Sasha, along with Darren Emerson.

Thank you for reading my opinion.

Note: If you were at all puzzled by any of the terms or the like used in this op, feel free to e-mail me and I can try and give you an explanation.

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