by Twenty-five years is a significant span of time to wait for the third chapter of a legacy. However, when the preceding installments are the legendary #GU21 Moscow and #GU25 Toronto, the anticipation feels entirely justified. Deep Dish, the Grammy-winning Iranian-American duo comprised of Ali “Dubfire” Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi, are officially returning to Global Underground with #GU49 Dublin, completing a trilogy that first began a quarter-century ago. The album is scheduled for release on 29th May 2026, with pre-orders currently available.
The Trilogy: Moscow, Toronto, Dublin
To fully appreciate the significance of #GU49 Dublin, one must look at the foundation laid by its predecessors. Between 1999 and 2003, Deep Dish released six DJ mix compilations, with Global Underground Moscow (2001) and Global Underground Toronto (2003) standing as some of the most revered entries in the entire GU catalogue.
Global Underground founder Andy Horsfield expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It’s an honour to be able to team up with Ali and Sharam again to deliver yet another outstanding GU City Series album, this time from the vibrant city of Dublin. Deep Dish have again excelled themselves just like they did with Moscow and Toronto in delivering a stunning album. I’m sure the GU and Deep Dish fans across the globe are going to love this album as much as we do.”
For the duo, this return is deeply personal. “Global Underground was foundational for us, not just as a platform but as a legacy—a series shaped by decades of iconic artists who helped define the culture of DJing and club music,” the pair noted. “It was always about storytelling, and in many ways each compilation served as a musical time-capsule. We always tried to include the most timeless songs possible and coming back to the series now feels like closing a circle while opening a new chapter.”
A Legacy of Electronic Innovation
Ali Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi formed Deep Dish in Washington D.C. in 1991. Their rise to global prominence was cemented by their seminal 1995 remix of De’Lacy’s “Hideaway.” Throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, they achieved remarkable success, with hits like “The Future Of The Future (Stay Gold)” and “Flashdance,” the latter peaking at number three on the UK charts. Their 2002 remix of Dido’s “Thank You” earned them a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording.
Following a hiatus that began around 2006, during which both artists pursued successful solo careers—Dubfire in the techno sphere and Sharam in the house scene—the duo reunited in 2014. Their surprise reunion shows and subsequent performances have consistently reminded the electronic music community of their enduring influence.
The Road to Dublin
The narrative of #GU49 Dublin began to take shape last summer when Deep Dish headlined the Balance Croatia Festival Launch Party at Barbarellas Discotheque in Pirovac, Croatia. Joined by the acclaimed Khen, the performance served as a powerful indicator of the duo’s creative direction. The album features an exclusive Deep Dish remix of the Moderat track “Eating Hooks,” which will be released as a standalone single on 1st May. The project was celebrated with a sold-out launch event at Index Dublin on 30th January.
