Listen to Sasha’s ‘Xpander’ on its 25th release anniversary
Its original release was on July 5th, 1999.
Few tracks in electronic music achieve the universal acclaim that Sasha’s ‘Xpander’ has maintained for the past 25 years. Released in 1999, ‘Xpander’ is a defining moment for the trance genre, embodying the rich, melodic sound that placed the Welsh DJ & producer at the peak of his career. A fixture on the radio, countless compilations, and even the iconic ‘Wipeout 3’ video game soundtrack, the track resonates with nearly every dance music fan from that era.
Named after the Oberheim Xpander synthesizer, the 11-minute journey captured everything Sasha stood for at the height of his influence. As one of the most beloved DJs of the late ’90s, his name was synonymous with sonic innovation. From Mixmag crowning him the “Son of God” to his celebrated collaborations with John Digweed, including Northern Exposure and their residency at New York’s Twilo, Sasha’s sound was one of euphoric transcendence. And ‘Xpander’, produced alongside Spooky’s Charlie May, represented the pinnacle of this musical ethos.
Interestingly, ‘Xpander’ began as an unreleased Spooky track. “We used to perform a breakbeat version live in the early ’90s, but it never clicked in the studio,” May once recalled. It was Sasha’s curiosity that revived the track from a lost piece of audio, leading to a full-fledged studio revival. The meticulous production process, involving a team of sound engineers and designers, was emblematic of the resources available to a superstar DJ at the time. But even with the help, it took several failed attempts before Sasha and May finally nailed the mix on their own.
What makes ‘Xpander’ stand out, even today, is its futuristic sound. The layers of synths and rich melodies weave together a sonic tapestry that captures the progressive house and trance scenes of the late ’90s. For many, it became the centerpiece of Sasha’s defining mix, ‘Global Underground 013: Ibiza’, further cementing its status as a trance anthem.
As we celebrate 25 years of ‘Xpander’, it’s clear that this track remains Sasha’s crowning achievement—a timeless piece of electronic music history that continues to inspire and resonate with listeners around the world.
Listen to ‘Xpander’ below and grab your copy here.
