by Jason Birchmeier

By the end of the 1990s, Sasha and John Digweed had become two of the most recognized DJs in the world. A widespread interest in a style of up-tempo electronic music laden in synth melodies and pumping beats known as trance (or less frequently as progressive trance) propelled the British DJs to worldwide fame along with peers such as Paul Van Dyk and Paul Oakenfold. As trance began to hit its peak, both DJs began to diversify their track selection in an effort to avoid being pigeonholed as specifically trance DJs. Whereas their early mix CDs defined the sound of trance for the mid-90s, they soon took the position as two of the genres leaders, continually focusing on the latest records and evolving sounds of producers such as Breeder while staying true to their musical roots.

Before they became pinups for the trance generation, the two had already been successful DJs and — to a lesser degree — producers. Their famed partnership began in 1993 while both were spinning at the Manchester club Renaissance. As the two DJs began to hone their mixing and improve their track selections, increasing numbers of clubbers began to spread the word about the duos music. Sasha + Digweed released a mix album titled Renaissance in 1994 and began their steady rise to fame. It wasnt until the 1996 release of Northern Exposure that Sasha + Digweed began to truly be acknowledged as superstar DJs. The albums success led to several increasingly successful sequels (Expeditions, Communicate) that defined the sound of trance in the late 90s, paralleling the Global Underground and Tranceport series in terms of popularity.

In the late 90s, the two DJs began their invasion of the U.S. with a high-profile monthly residency at Twilo in New York City, along with more mix CDs as individuals. In addition to the residency, the duo sporadically toured the U.S. and found themselves the topic of many articles and cover stories in magazines such as Urb and Mixer. An extensive tour of the U.S. in 2000 to support Communicate only solidified their status as two of the most loved (and despised) DJs in the world.

As if their reputation as the worlds most famous tag-teaming DJs wasnt enough, Sasha + Digweed also produce their own music and are recognized as prized remixers. Sashas Xpander EP showcased his knack for creating some of the best trance epics the genre has ever seen, while his remix of the Chemical Brothers Out of Control re-established his role as a talented remixer. Similarly, Digweed occasionally produces music as Bedrock, scoring an enormous hit with his anthem Heaven Scent.

While the two DJs increasingly focused on production and retaining their status as superstars, they slowly began to drift apart, appearing less frequently as a duo. Sasha continued work on a long-awaited solo album, and Digweed focused on his Bedrock club night in the U.K. [See Also: John Digweed, Sasha]