Sasha – Xpander

It is October 2001, a time when progressive house music was at its peak and Sasha was one of the most prominent figures representing the genre during its golden era. Sasha is scheduled to perform a three-hour set, and he was known to be strict about sticking to his set times, in contrast to his music partner at that time, John Digweed, who often played for much longer and as the night progressed, the energy on the dance floor only intensified.

By 6:00 am, the dancing had left the crowd soaked with sweat. Sasha ends his set and the audience pleads for one more song, an encore. Sasha mimics Mufasa from the Lion King by holding up a vinyl record to the crowd. The audience reacts with great excitement and reverence as if the vinyl was a sacred object. Sasha then places the vinyl into the turntable, with slow moves, building anticipation.

I bet you know which song he played? Huh?

Although what I am about to say may seem paradoxical, isn’t it true that “Xpander,” which is undoubtedly a trance production, is also, probably, the most stunning progressive house track ever created?