REVIEWS A-H
AFTER HOUR POWER (MOONSHINE)
If you’re feeling like you need a
boost to keep your night pumping, then Moonshine has put together a compilation
that should serve as just the right thing.
Forget charging the paddles to keep your body hopping and get ready for a
shot of audio adrenaline injected straight through your speakers with After Hour
Power. This is one of the better
compilations on the market in a long time that focuses squarely on high-NRG
beats and bass. Tracks such as
“Beat That Funk” from Nathan Profitt, “Katana” from Gemini, and
“Second Wave” from Signum, are some of the better uptempo tunes I have heard
in a while. Dancefloor favorites
Jaimy & Kenny D are well
represented with their remix of “We Don’t Love (Jaimy & Kenny D
Remix)” from Kansas and their own thumping track “Enter The Future”.
The After Hour Power compilation is an energetic mix that becomes a great
shot of electricity to keep your night rolling!
AFRO-MYSTIK “MORPHOLOGY” (OM)
Clearly a highlight for anyone who
made it down to Miami, Florida for this year’s music conference were the
numerous live performances at showcases around the city from some of today’s
rising talents. The lavish
decorations of the Goddess club in South Beach held just such and event and
seemed to be tailor-made for the stunning performance from Afro-Mystik who
brought their organic, soulful sound to the packed crowd.
The band, who played from a raised a platform, oversaw the sustained
smiles and dancing of the mesmerized crowd.
The jungle themed architecture on the walls and clever lighting only
seemed to enhance the tropical vibe. Unfortunately
for those who didn’t make it to the party (or into the club since they closed
the doors after reaching capacity), the bands’ album “Morphology”
doesn’t do the live show justice. Not
for a lack of music, but a lack of technology.
The tracks on Morphology show how live bands are poised to become the
next wave of innovation for downtempo and deep house music.
With the inclusion of organic instruments and live percussion, bands such
as Afro-Mystik are sure to provide the soundtrack of many of our future
daybreaks.
ALEX GOLD “IBIZAXTRAVAGANZA” (XTRAVAGANZA)
The name Alex Gold selected for his
label is given a new definition with his latest release, IbizaXtravaganza.
From the beginning and continuing triumphantly throughout the disc, Gold
has compiled a solid progressive mix that is a wonder for the ears.
While many will agree, vocals are what will be the key to mainstream
radio success in the states for the dance music scene, mixes such as
IbizaXtravaganza are a great example of what the genre has to offer.
Gold has put together a track list that has a vibrant quality that brings
a very light and airy feel to the whole vibe. These days, the name Ibiza is being plugged and plastered on
a number of dance music related items. CDs,
lyrics, and much more, you can’t get away from it if you wanted to, the name
has become its own buzzword. But
with the IbizaXtravaganza disc, Gold has actually created a certain beach vibe
that should do the white island justice. Gold has incorporated a mix that runs the gamut of trance
subgenres from the epic-trance touches of “Jenero” from Solid Sessions to
Alec Gold’s own “Foreign Shore (Instrumental Mix)” and everything in
between. “Beautiful Child” by
Madelyne has a very 80s’ sounding vocal that drops into a heavy synth line,
following in suit to “Am I On Your Mind” from Oxygen, the opener that set
the fire which burns brilliantly for the remainder.
Loaded with the energy of a double-shot of expresso, if IbizaXtravaganza
doesn’t draw you to the dancefloor, it will definitely have you moving at the
your seat.
BT “EMOTIONAL TECHNOLOGY” (NETTWERK
AMERICA)
The only constant is change is a
theory that BT has embraced as he has continued to evolve his musical horizons
and become more than simply the man who creates and plays music, but the creator
of feelings. Over the past decade,
BT has continually tested the limits of music and technology and has created
many outstanding pieces of work leading up to his latest release.
Emotional Technology is more than a title for an album, it is a
description of two sides of this gifted performer.
An intense need to continually pursue an interest in evolving
technological advances is only counterbalanced by his ability to write and
produce music moving sonic passages. Through
tracks like Dark Heart Dawning and Animals, BT shows a vulnerability through a
lush, beautiful soundscape while Circles is a revolving tune that in simplest
terms…rocks. BT has again stepped
to the microphone, but receives help from the ever-charming Rose McGowan, J.C.
Chasez, Scott McCloud (Girls vs. Boys), and previous collaborator Doughty. The lead single Somnambulist (Simply Being Loved) has already
being receiving praise on numerous charts worldwide and was even inducted into
the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most ever stutter edits
(6,178). Forget about the
high-profile friends, forget about the film projects, drop everything you know
(or think you know) and you are left with one thing,…a wonderful collection of
songs from BT.
CHILLOUT 2004 (NETTWERK AMERICA)
After the onslaught of albums in
the genre, chillout has become a hard category to narrow down.
Nettwerk America has been successful in the past at combining a cross
section of tracks that are at the forefront of the genre.
Chillout 04 is the latest release in the label’s series and while it is
a great collection of music, it’s doesn’t seem to have the continuity that
put its predecessors at the head of the class.
That aside, there are several tracks worth mentioning, including a
beautiful rendition of Motorcycle’s “As The Rush
Comes”, BT’s “The Great Escape (Carmen Rizzo’s Chillout Mix)”,
and Massive Attack “Butterfly Caught (Paul Daley Remix)”.
There are several reasons why you should add this disc to your collection
and only a few why not.
CHRIS COWIE “BEST BEHAVIOUR”
(HOOK/BELLBOY RECORDINGS)
Clearly one of the most vibrant
artists to come along the past few months would have to be Chris Cowie.
And with his release “Best Behaviour” he has proven why he definitely
one to watch. This two-disc release
shows one of the wider collection of work to hit the store shelves.
The first disc starts with a soft build makes for a calming mix and
beautiful strong structure overall. This
first disc is a collection of tracks provided separately that would have just as
wells as a mix. There is a definite
deep house seems to be his specialty that shows an amazing sense of flow.
This release could seriously be held in comparison to such recent
releases as Sasha’s “Airdrawndagger” and DJ Tiesto’s “In Search of
Sunrise 3” albums. This release
contains a wonderful variety that makes this disc great for any point in your
day, breakbeats, house, ambient, there isn’t much that Cowie has left out.
Cowie, who seems to use the percussion aspect of his tracks as its own
texture and not just a guide continues the diversity of sounds as he enters the
second disc with ringing bells over an old-school breakbeat.
Cowie then finds a common thread between a variety of different sounds as
he mixes the second half of Best Behaviour masterfully while keeping everything
in time.
CHRISTIAN B “DANCE AMERICA 1:PLUG
INTO CHRISTIAN B” (UBL RECORDINGS)
Many of the compilations that come
out are used as an avenue to load someone’s bankroll by putting together what
amounts to someone’s homemade mashup compilation. LA DJ Christian B is not one of these people.
Dance America 1: Plug Into Christian B is a standout mix of club hits
that forms a terrific compilation for your ears.
While several of the tracks are from mainstream artists on major name
DJs, including Kosheen “Hungry (DJ Tiesto Mix)”, Tarrantella “Karma (Way
Out West Mix)”, MM Project “Where Are You Now? (Harmonica Dub Mix)”, and
the 2002 smash hit Tim Deluxe featuring Sam Obernik “It Just Won’t Do (Club
Mix)”, the mix doesn’t get caught up in it.
Christian B has sequenced the set to be loaded with energy from the start
and not let you go. This is an energetic club mix that is sure to provide any fan
of booty-shakin beats and high NRG grooves with the right combination for a
great night out. Put this in your
player to get pumped for your journey to the club or wherever you get your
groove on….and by all means take the title literally, Dance America!
CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE “EXPOSURE
IV” (HOOK / SYSTEM)
Is Christopher Lawrence trying to
bring the rave sound back to the forefront of the musical stage?
As you first begin to experience the latest offering from the fair-haired
dynamo, you notice that his latest release Expsoure IV has a more rave-oriented
sound than his more recent efforts. While
the flow may feel off at times and you are unsure where Lawrence is going with
the mix, he suddenly brings it back to feverish pace where notes cut through the
air like a strobe blazing through the darkness of the late night dancefloor.
Instances of these feelings can best be described by examples like BK’s
pulsing “The Revolution” and “Sign Of The Sun”, a very cool, very techy
track, that seems as though it would fit better in the middle of the mix.
Put this on and note that the beauty of the chords traditionally
associated with trance have been replaced with digital stabs and synth lines
that raise the energy of the mix. Other
examples of the rave resurgence include, the well-titled “Bohemian Groove”
from Illuminati, which is truly where Lawrence hits his pace.
After an amazing journey, the surprise selection of Mark Lowndes’
“Weekender (Chill Mix)” was an interesting touch to sooth the end of the
ultra-rave influenced mix with calming keys and lush soundscapes.
To many, he is often referred to as America’s top trance DJ for good
reason; however, while this disc is a good overall, Exposure IV is not as
exciting as my last trip with Christopher Lawrence.
DARUDE “RUSH” (BLUE CHIP)
After the whirlwind of attention
surrounding the single “Sandstorm”, Darude has returned to prove that he is
more than a one-hit wonder. With
the album Rush, Darude shows that he is prepared to take it to the next level
through a variety of tracks that range from uptempo, hard dance to the ambient
realm. Tracks like the energetic
“Music” have a crossover appeal that is sure to please fans at both ends of
the spectrum while “Next To You” (which is also included as a 12” Vocal
Mix) is already gaining major radio airplay.
“Serendipity” has a harmonic trial feel and “Bitter Sweet”
reminds why we were drawn to Darude in the first place.
The hidden masterpiece “Ranta” is a beautiful, chilled out tune that
seems out of place, but would be sorely missed. Darude has already introduced himself to the dance world and
with Rush he is sure to make sure that you remember his name.
DJ BEEJ “THE BIG BANG”
(VELOCITY)
From the build of the haunting
intro of George Acosta’s “The Reaper”, you can almost taste the impending
pummeling of beats from DJ Beej’s latest release “The Big Bang”.
The Southern California resident has once again compiled a collection of
unbridled energy that displays his taste for all things hard and heavy.
There is nothing left to the imagination as DJ Beej boldly proclaims on
the disc in thick letters “This is the best fooking CD I own”!
If Hi-NRG and hard trance is what gets your juices flowing then he may be
right. Although for some, the
scantily-clad females on the cover may be enough to give you a big bang of your
own. As the resident at the
infamous Club Rubber, DJ Beej has built a cult-like following of clubbers who
crave the special shot of adrenaline that he injects into the dance floor.
With tracks from artists such as Shockwave (“Missing The Beat”),
Mikado (“No Sleep”), Starsplash (“Free”), and the ever-amazing Warp
Brothers (“Cokane”), DJ Beej gives the masses their desired fix and more.
If you like it fast, if you like it hard, and if you want to dance until
your body explodes with pleasure, then you need to have DJ Beej let you
experience The Big Bang.
DJ CRAZE “LIVE IN PUERTO RICO”
DVD
With the speed at which top
turntablists cut arecord, it may be hard to follow with the naked eye, but fear
not DJ Craze is here with the answer. The
3-time DMC World Champ has released the Live In Puerto Rico DVD, an interactive
experience sure to please all fans of turntablism.
This DVD has an incredible audio quality that only adds to the amazing
mix that moves between Craze’s two true loves of hip-hop to drum-n-bass.
In the “Trick and Treats” sections Craze shows a few of the basics of
how to find a beat, cut it back and forth, and scratch.
Then Craze simplifies it for the rest of us and explains in detail how to
make them work. The only drawback
to the DVD is the video section is loaded with fairly stale imagery and
graphics. While there are a few
bright spots, the majority of the images just don’t visually draw your
attention as much as the music as it should for a video.
A few tracks of note in the mix include D Product’s “Crimes Against
Technology” and “Squash” from Total Science.
However, the most innovative marriage of visuals and beats is clearly the
section for “Sunroof Top” by Pacewon. The
journey through imagery is only rivaled by the cuts in the track itself.
Craze shows where his heart truly lies as he takes the mix from the
breakdown of hip-hop to rapid-fire transitions and cuts of drum-n-bass all with
his signature scratching throughout.
DJ ICEY “A DIFFERENT DAY”
(ZONE/SYSTEM RECORDINGS)
Are there any freaks in the house
tonight? When this line blasts
through the speakers at the midpoint of DJ Icey’s latest album, you’re sure
to answer with a resounding hell ya! Although
the Florida native’s latest album starts out on a smoother tip, Icey slides
into form as the shuffling cuts he has helped to champion on worldwide
dancefloors becomes more prevalent. With
the release of A Different Day, Icey’s second “artist” album, he
reestablishes why he is often referred to as the King of Breaks.
The main difference this time around is that Icey’s tracks show more of
a traditional song structure that is only highlighted by the vocals of some of
the cold one’s friends, including Marlon, Mercury Rev, Mystro, and Jen Lasher.
DJ Icey is a true master at layering effects and beats to bring out a
very funky groove and with A Different Day he continues to expand the realm of
his kingdom.
DJ RAP “TOUCHING BASS” (PROPER TALENT/SURGE)
Since becoming synonymous with the
DnB genre, Charissa Saverio, better known as DJ Rap, has continually
brung it to the dancefloor and this time round, she’s bringing it hard and
heavy! The first half of this album
is all
about the drum and bass, or should I say more about jungle! Starightaway DJ Rap clearly defines the choice for the album
title by dropping tunes heavy on the low-end.
Tracks like “Even When It Rains” by Accidental Heroes,
“Crackdown” from Rage, and the smashing “The riff” by DJ Rap v. Danny C,
make this a powerful first half of the album.
Touching Bass doesn’t stop at showing you only one side of this amazing
talent, DJ Rap has dedicated the second disc to breaks and delivers a mix that
packs a mean punch as she spares no time getting straight into some hard-hitting
tracks with “Out There” by DJ Rap and Konverter which is now available at DJ
Rap’s website. Additional gems on
disc two include “The Helicopter Tune” by Deep Blue, “Robocallgirl” by
Transformer Man, and “Sunset Baby” by Slide.
The enhanced album also includes a DJ Rap contest and a Live 2.0 demo so
you can mix your own remix. It’s
no secret I’m a fan of DJ Rap and after listening to both halves of this album
you will be too!
DJ SAGE “DRUM & BASS ELEMENTS
01” (MOONSHINE)
Isn’t it great that such a
powerful pounding sound as drum & bass seems to be at its best when spun by
a female DJ? DJ Sage is one of the
latest female DJs to emerge as a dedicated talent who has embraced the d-n-b
genre and completely made it her own. Sage’s
latest offering Drum & Bass Elements 01 is sure to inspire many more to this
great beat. D&B Elements is
loaded with numerous tracks that blur the line between jungle and traditional
drum-n-bass. Included on this disc
are several tracks from Sage’s own label Phylum Recordings, one of the only
all female owned labels around. This
album is a pounding mix thanks in no small part to tracks like Cause 4
Concern’s “Soul (Fierce + Matrix Remix)” and Sage’s own “Pipeline”
and “Static” (with J.T.). Whether
running her own label, traveling to play at various destinations around, or
modeling for DC Shoes, Sage continues to be a force to reckon with within the
ever-expanding world of dance culture. With
Drum & Bass Elements 01, this multi-talented DJ/label head/model has carved
out a span of time that demands a listen and like a skater finding an empty
pool, you’ll be back for more again and again.
DJ SOUL SLINGER “ECOSYSTEM:THE
BRAZILIAN JOINT”
(LIQUID SKY MUSIC)
Soul Slinger takes liberties with
the term “jungle” as he brings about the a whole new level by incorporating
animals and other sounds of rainforest into a disc dedicated to the attendees of
the annual Ecosystem event held during August in the Amazon.
These events are the focus of annual festivals held to showcase the need
for support in one of the richest areas in the world for animal diversity.
ECOSYSTEM contains an interesting array of tracks, including Ramilson
Maia’s track “Chuva” featuring a very mature-sounding vocal from 13
year-old Brazilian native Janaina Lima and the heavy retro touch of Maia’s “Madalena”.
The overall mix displays a very soulful, Central American vibe,
especially the track “Malta (Drumagick Remix)” by Leandro Bonfim.
ECOSYSTEM also includes Soul Slinger originals “Juriti” with Ezra G
and “Na Noite Se Resolve” with Bid, another top Brazilian producer. So be sure to pickup this disc and you won’t only be
helping yourself to some smooth, organic beats, you’ll be helping to further a
cause that impacts us all as global citizens.
DONALD GLAUDE “MIXED LIVE:2ND
SESSION” (MOONSHINE)
Donald Glaude couldn’t have
selected a better track to lead off the mix for the Mixed Live:2nd
Session disc out on Moonshine Music. With
the main lyric, “The key is to learn how to flow…under pressure”, Paris
& Healey’s pumping tune could be used to demonstrate how this native of
Tacoma, Washington was able to go from teaching himself to spin on mismatched
tables and a Radio Shack mixer to headlining several of the top events around
the world. The Mixed Live series
from Moonshine showcases the true level of crowd reaction by recording a 5.1
Surround Sound mix from selected DJs. With
a reputation for working crowds to a fever pitch, Donald Glaude was given the
privilege of being the first DJ to record a mix outside of the US.
Mixed Live:2nd Session was recorded live at The Gallery at
Turnmills, in London, one of the longest-running club nights in the UK.
Clubbers in attendance that night found themselves struck with an uptempo
mix of banging funk and turntable antics from the man DJ Dan described as,
“one of the most entertaining DJs in America to watch live.”
The mix includes tracks that incorporates Glaude’s love of heavy house
music with tracks from Antoine Clamaran, Shawn Alstrom, and the funky one
himself, Afrika Bambataa. Moonshine’s Mixed Live series is taking the next step in
audio production and with DJs like Donald Glaude you are sure to enjoy the ride!
E-N FEAT. CEEVOX “DON’T LEAVE
ME THIS WAY” (STAR 69)
The reason why this track has found
its place at the top of several charts can be summed up by one mix, the Friburn
& Urik Tribal Mix. The Tribal
rhythm found in the Friburn & Urik mix fits the vocal much better than other
versions while the steel drums and didgeridoo add a very earthy rhythm to the
groove. An added bonus to Friburn
& Urik’s beats is an echo sound that helps the beat grow and expand.
The intro for E-N’s Metroliner Mix was too long not to have a good
payoff once the track kicks in. The
organ effects and percussion are interesting, but would probably sound better at
a faster bpm. E-N’s Metroliner
Beats Mix miraculously shows how the beats alone are a decent groove and
indicate that the track may have been better without a vocal at all.
FISCHERSPOONER “#1” (CAPITOL)
In 2002, there was definitely no
escaping the rebirth of the 80s new-wave sound, which would later be dubbed
“electro-clash”. The
combination of simplistic synth-lines and programmed drum loops were
re-introduced to a new generation who embraced this newly remodeled sound like a
fresh pack of power pellets. At the
forefront of this movement was the much-publicized art-dance collective
Fischerspooner. The band, whose
name is derived from founding members Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner, were
showing up everywhere as the poster boys for this new movement, even securing an
opportunity to perform on Top Of The Pops in the UK.
Initially, it seemed as though the band was getting as much press for
their elaborate stage show as their music, but one thing is for certain…their
debut album “#1” seems to have been an accurate prediction for the level of
success they have achieved to date. While
it may seem like overly-recycled beats from the late-80s, the debut single
“Emerge” skyrocketed to the top slot in the UK, much to the amazement and
enjoyment of the dance community. Included in the release of “#1” is an in-depth DVD,
containing videos for “Emerge”, “The 15th”, and
“Invisible”, as well as a short documentary that helps to explain the
history of how the band was formed as an “experiment” to create an
entertaining live show. Creativity provided through a diverse intertwining of music,
live performances, and a flair for crowd involvement, have helped Fischerspooner
to build a performance that is sure to delight every person’s encounter as a
pleasurable experience on many levels. If
you don’t have the opportunity to catch them live, “#1” is sure to help
feed your jones for this live-wire act, which is part choreographed artistic
vision, part cirque du soleil, and part programmed dancefloor wizardry.
GOT DANCE? (SURGE RECORDINGS)
Cheesy titles aside, this two-disc
set is truly a compilation aimed at shopping malls across America.
With numerous covers of past mainstream favorites, such as :The Space
Cowboy “I Would Die For You” (Prince), Eyra Gail “The Flame”, (Cheap
Trick), DJ Quicksilver present Base Unique “Always On My Mind”, (Elvis),
Discovery “Missing” (Everything But The Girl), and The Sax Brothers,
“Careless Whisper” (Wham!), the album could have been titled Got Covers?
The album starts out on a high note with what was arguably the top tune
of 2002 “It Just Won’t Do” from Tim Deluxe featuring Sam Obernik.
This track was included on compilations and in mix sets across the globe
as well as hit several year-end charts, including topping the Essential
Selection Buzz Chart for 2002. While
the discs suffer from poor production with regard to the cuts between several of
the tracks, it is overall, an entertaining look at the past year.
HI-GATE “SPLIT PERSONALITY”
(INCENTIVE)
After several years in the making, the production duo Hi-Gate, better known as Judge Jules and partner Paul Masterson, have released their debut artist album, Split Personality. With the concept simple, one disc for the day and one for the night, Hi-Gate has put out a collection of work that shows the secrets behind the duo responsible for three Top 30 hits and even more club hits. One of the many highlights of Split Personality is the diverse range mixes of “Out Of Fashion” from the West End Musical “Taboo” written by Boy George, who provides the vocal for the track that will also be released as a single. The Day disc showcases the more melodic side of the album and features vocals from Boy George and Diane Charlemagne while the Night is clearly geared for those with a more uptempo state of mind, including the track “Hurricane” which will be released as a single featuring the vocals of Shena. An added bonus to Split Personality is a DJ mix CD which basically brings together the vibe of previous discs and includes a few great tunes, such as “Showtime”, “Electro Buzz”, and “Rock This House”. One thing is for sure….when the combined talents of Hi-Gate are controlling the beats this Split Personality makes for one entertaining mix.