CD Releases: June - July 2002 updated:15/04/2003

 

TIEFSCHWARZ Ral 9005 CD/3x12"
(Classic Music Company)
CMCCD105/VCMCLP105
"One of the house albums of the year, no contest" 4/5 Jockey Slut
"As good as House music gets" Yousef
Everyone’s favourite house label Classic (well its one of ours, alright!), take things to the next level and release their first artist album proper. After releasing over fifty groundbreaking singles, three compilations and two damn fine mixed CD’s, one by Doc Martin (CMCCD104) and one by label co-owners Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon (CMCCD103), Classic has successfully established itself as one of the most innovative and inspirational UK based house labels. So when it came to do the first artist album it had to be something rather special... Having released two amazing singles on Classic, Thru A Little Window and Hello Again, Tiefschwarz release their debut album Ral9005, formed in 1996 by two brothers - Ali and Basti Schwarz - who have been successful DJs for over a decade. Peter Hoff, who runs the Benztown studios in Stuttgart, completes the Tiefschwarz production team. The name, incidentally, is German for 'deep black', a mixture of their last name, Schwarz, and their love for deep house. Incidentally, the title of the album refers to the Pantone reference for the colour Black. Regarded in their native Germany as Teutonic alternative to Masters At Work, it’s easy to see why such analogies have some resonance, when you name check the plethora of established artists Tiefschwarz have brought their inspiring remix and production skills to: Ultra Naté, Byron Stingily, Jam & Spoon, Randy Crawford, Masters At Work, Earth Wind and Fire, Shakatak, Mousse T, Boogie Solitaire, Jon Cutler, and Rick Astley! They are at present busy in the studio remixing Jolly Music for Illustrious, Isolée for Classic and Agent K for Laws of Motion. The unique, intricate and powerful production techniques of Tiefschwarz are clearly evident while listening to the album, but it was their first two singles on Classic that initially blew people away. On Up, featured on the first EP Thru A Little Window, proved to be a benchmark record for Classic and one of THE house records of last summer. There are very few brilliant house albums released every year and Ral9005 has all the elements to become a definite classic. The album effortlessly combines elements of house, jazz, soul and garage in a sumptuous array of exquisitely executed tracks. Ral9005 covers the spectrum -- from the kick-ass house tracks (On Up, No More Trouble, Acid Soul and Schwanitz), and the soul-filled deep house and garage tracks (You, Never, City Sounds and Music), through the playful excursions into Nu-jazz (Mars) and broken-beat (Nix), this is an amazingly accomplished album that will work it’s way into your subconscious and charm the very pants off you. He’s a pants wearer, he wears pants….

 

JELLO Voile CD
(Peacefrog)
File Under: Electronica / Bola / Music
PFG016CD
Jello is the work of Darryl Fitton, otherwise known as the mysterious Bolaman or more widely known as Bola – an artist synonymous with electronic music in every sense, having assisted in the production and engineering of Autechre’s first ground breaking album Incunabula, being a founder member of the ultra low key production outfit Geskom as well as being a key artist on Skam Records multi faceted and expanding roster, it is fair to say that he has in many senses played a significant role in the development of electronic music as we know it today. Picking up where the Bola project left off, Jello takes things into entirely new territories by adopting a more diverse and alternative approach to the format of modern experimental music that is known as electronics. With the fusion of both male and female vocals, live piano, live drums and fender rhodes alongside more traditional Bola styled production techniques the project provides an insight into the varying influences and sides to the Bola sound not yet heard in any of his previous outputs.

 

SATOSHI TOMIIE Nu Breed 2CD/3x12"
(Global Underground)
File Under: Nu Breed / Global Underground / Dance
NU006/VNU006
"Hard, menacing and different, Satoshi’s mix keeps the darkness and light in balance for a stormin selection. 4/5 Muzik
Satoshi Tomiie’s introduction to Global Underground involved savage dogs, a frozen, steep street of terraced houses in an obscure North East England pit-town, a skidding Porsche and a van full of riot police. This was simply because one of the fat lads – codename Captain Chaos – had some problems parking his car. But it hasn’t put the Japanese New York-based DJ/producer legend off Geordie-land. In fact ever since he first DJ’d at Newcastle’s famous Shindig club Satoshi’s been almost a regular sight in the North East. Satoshi’s career in music kicked off in 1989 with collaboration with Frankie Knuckles and Robert Owens on the classic Tears. His debut album Full Lick finally arrived eleven years later. During that time Satoshi has worked and lived in New York, becoming perhaps the best-known Japanese house DJ/producer on the planet. As part of the Def Mix ‘family’, he has worked extensively alongside Frankie Knuckles and David Morales as a keyboard player, remixer, DJ and producer in his own right. He’s remixed Simply Red, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, Loleatta Holloway, Ultra Nate’ and established a world wide reputation for silky smooth NY-style grooves. Yet in the past few years, something changed. Satoshi stepped up a gear, left the silky smooth sound in the dust and with a screech of his tyres and a flurry of new productions, growled up to a rougher, nastier style of his own. And now Satoshi has become reinvented as one of the most inventive DJ/producers on the international progressive scene. Which makes him perfect material for a debut Nu Breed mix set. Because this series isn’t just about new DJs, but about people who are breaking in new patterns of sound. Consequently this two CD mix has that New York swing even though it’s threatening and sleazy, full of strange voices, sudden noises and whiplash grooves. CD1 delivers its shock tactics by stealth. Opening with Stephane K’s Numb a future SAW release, into DJ Nukem’s Music Play is a tough, New York dub. Lexicon Avenue’s From Dusk Til Dawn, here in its Sander Kleinenberg remix, climbs spirals of sound while tough, edgy grooves whoomp nervously underneath. The peaks and valleys of Remark’s So Pure make way for stronger house influences. JF Sebastian Featuring Kaz’s Burden lets its distant vocal loose over a fluttering house groove. Kings Of Tomorrow’s I Want You (For Myself) is, says Satoshi, a "new school vocal record". CD2 punches from the off. It starts with Graffik’s A Lesser Man – a track that starts as a jerky beat and a low growl of bass, but that builds bustling, shivery strings under a monologue that asks "if I were to part the tribal waters with my hand, would I be considered a lesser man?" Echomen’s Substance begins with its deceptively jaunty bassline, but quickly heads into darker territory. The Low End Specialists remix of Fierce Ruling Diva’s vintage You Gotta Believe is harsh and tribal. Satoshi keeps the surprises coming – right until the end. Greed Feat. Lesley’s Strange World works a disjointed American girl’s trip into a vocal that is almost folksy. And Max Graham’s Tell You concludes the mix with a vocal that sounds like Bjork’s crazy younger sister running wild over pulsing house rhythms. It’s a mix that drips with class - the sound of a perfectionist at the peak of his craft.

Also available:
T Shirt Nu Breed Large
Stylish grey T Shirt with ‘Nu Breed’ on the chest and the Nu Breed logo on the hip. Perfect for covering up after Sports Café’s Nude Day on the 27th. Hmmm Nude day….

 

STARECASE Firstfloor CD
(Hope Recordings)
File Under: Dance
HOPECD023
"There aren’t enough words to describe this excellent album. Just buy it." 4/5 Jockey Slut
"West country loons with first class tunes" 4/5 Mixmag
The Trance-Europe Pop Express continues chugging away, as producers and DJs keep plugging away trying to create that proper synthesis of dancefloor groove and song structure that will keep both audiences happy. Seeing that both BT and underrated trance-breakbeat masters Hybrid have both seen their equipment stolen this year, we will have to leave it in the hands of Starecase to bring it through with one of electronica’s best debuts of the year. Hailing from Hope Recordings, the same music label that nurtured Timo Maas (Music For The Masses – HOPECD020) in his early days, Starecase have been slowly building their rep with a strong live show and a series of exceptional 12-inches. They show many surprises on First Floor, an album that makes creating funky pop songs sound so easy. The album starts off with its best track, a gorgeous little gem called Faith filled with hooks, bridges, sonic chutes and ladders sturdy enough to pass any state inspection, this song serves as a textbook model as to how writing a good DJ-oriented pop track should be done. There’s plenty more, however, to keep the interest strong through the album. Starecase members Paul Crossman and Al "Eels" Watson balance a keen sense of sonic definition with able melodic intuition and subtle musical touches that refer as much to Jane’s Addiction and Spiritualized (whose former member Sean Cook guests on Seed) as to the latest Meat Katie. Considering the results, listeners are advised to get in on the ground floor with this one.

 

DAVID ALVARADO Mayasongs CD
(Peacefrog)
File Under: David Alvarado / Peacefrog / Dance
PFG010CD
"Alvarado shows the west coast house scene owes him a huge debt." 4/5 Jockey Slut
Mayasongs is the long awaited debut album from LA’s veteran DJ/producer David Alvarado whose profile has increased to new heights over the past two years. With over ten years of producing for labels such as Strictly Rhythm, Josh Wink’s Yoshitoshi and Peacefrog, David Alvarado has a cult following amongst lovers of quality house music as well as a good cross over into the broken beat/alternative techno fan market. David Alvarado continues to release beautiful house music on Peacefrog, music full of soul and love. This is a very lush record, full of grooves and deep emotive tones. The opener, aptly titled The Beginning is a bongo clad groove with deep chords and a subtle beat rolling away underneath, a real mover. Beautification is a floor friendly spacious track of the highest degree, floating female vocals and deep chords set the mood perfectly, filtered synths move the track around and echoing vocals fill it up superbly. David has been resident at London’s "Fabric" of late with as well as guesting at other UK cutting edge clubs and has a big following on the international DJ/club circuit. This album represents David’s uncompromising love for quality music – deep grooves – chunky enough to fill the dancefloor with many live elements – hypnotic and lush. Should appeal to fans of Moodymann/Carl Craig/Ian O’Brien etc. Peacefrog don’t let us down often and here they uphold the quality. A damn fine album from a highly respected producer.

 

VARIOUS Robotic House Movement Vol 1 CD
(Honchos Music)
File Under: Dance / House
HONMCD002
We're charging our battery, And now we're full of energy, We are the robots, We're functioning automatic, And we are dancing mechanic, We are the robots. Kraftwerk – The Robots
Robotic House Movement Vol 1 is the first instalment of a new compilation series that aims to showcase the fresh & forward thinking house sounds currently circulating the galaxy. Compiled & mixed by Nick Harris & Redg Weeks (the guys behind NRK, the nite:life mix series & Honchos Music), every cut on this comp exudes electronic, robotic energy! Opening the mix is a Quinn Whalley (Different Gear) mix of DJ Rasoul on Hooj. A pacey, squelching analogue house trip, this track sets the tone for 80 minutes of sci-fi grooves. Different Gear crop up again with the deep electro bass, delayed drums and devilish vocal of A Little Bit Paranoid (City Rockers), a track that was creating waves in Miami this year with support from Danny Tenaglia and Jon Digweed. Many of the UK old skool have always pioneered new trends in dance music, and several old boys turn up on this compilation. Pete Heller’s remix of Louie Balo’s Guiding Light shows why he is still on of Britain’s most in demand producers, after years of ground-breaking tracks on Junior Boys Own. Peace Division have also been treading the boards for many years, and their stripped down, mechanical funk sound has made a huge resurgence of late, represented here by their remix of X-Press 2’s Lazy and their own track On The Bandwagon. New talent also gets a look in. Current UK press darlings, Medicine, whose Ape Don’t Kill Ape is included here, takes the vocoded vocal to funkier levels, with a bouncing sub-bass, synthesised keys & techy drums. Also check new tracks from Weekend World, DJ Dan’s remix of Drop The Beat, the Johnny Vicious sampling Moonraker from Foremost Poets on Junior and the Tom Stephan (AKA Superchumbo) teutonic remix of Menace’s Sound Of The Floor. Rounding off this exemplary mix is the rather fantastic Royksopp mix of Felix Da Housecat’s What Does It Feel Like. Two leaders of the nu skool combine forces to produce a classic remix with all the elements that make up Robotic House Movement. Top stuff!

 

CRAZY PENIS The Wicked Is Music CD/2x12"
(Paper Recordings)
File Under: Crazy Penis / Paper / Dance / House
PAPCD016/VPAPLP016
"A modern Twist on the boogie down production" Jockey Slut
"Think Moloko without the annoyingly artsy affections, think Air without the Gallic aloofness replaced by warm-hearted Northern wit." NME
"A glitterball of sweeping strings and keyboard stabs spray the dancefloor with tinmy specks of 21st Century disco funk" Muzik Mag
"Groove fuelled, sensually layered… drips with whispers of Moodyman, Donald Byrd and Barry White" Sleaze Nation
"Jazz-ness, feline, disco and elegant house. All good." Mixmag
Since their 1998 album A Nice Hot Bath With (PAPCD004), Crazy Penis have evolved into a five member line up and have been travelling all over the world for the past couple of years, playing live gigs, building up their reputation of a fantastic live band, watching their profile soar and receiving praise from the likes of Tom Middleton, King Britt and Ian Pooley. The new line up includes Danielle Moore who has taken charge of vocals (previously heard on Song For A City by Truant (PAPCD012) and You Started Something by Crazy Penis), and Mav from the Mavenelli Project on percussion. The transition from being a studio band to a full live act has changed the direction of the band and they have now found their own sound. Since releasing their debut album, Jim and Chris from the band have been concentrating on solo projects, as well as giving up work. Chris released his debut album Super Magic PAPCD008) under his pseudonym Hot Toddy in 2000 on Paperecordings, and Jim has been working on some material under the moniker Sir Ron Basejam, which will feature on Paper’s sister label Repap, some time in the future. The band have also had offers of remixes coming in from the likes of Naked Music, Irma and Guidance. This album sees the band going towards a more soulful sound than the first, rich with instrumentation, littered with proper songs with beautiful melodies complemented by Danielle’s emotive vocals. It’s the penis mate, and that’s rude, wicked……

 

MODAJI Pre-Sets CD
(Laws Of Motion)
File Under: Modaji / Laws Of Motion / House / Dance
LMCD105
It’s over 4 years since Dominic Jacobson aka Modaji released his first music unto a black music world still recovering from the fallout of that horrifying genre: acid jazz! Fusing techno effects, jazz keys and tight Latin rhythms but with soul at the heart of each track, each new instrumental track was a revelation. Props came thick and fast from (amongst others) Carl Craig, 4 Hero, Gilles Peterson and Ashley Beedle for finally making the music that had everything we’d been looking for; in short, if Modaji didn’t exist, you’d have to invent him. Nobody expected what happened next; an album not of instrumental workouts but of fully formed, world-class soul songs. Modaji had upped the ante and gone to the next level, creating beautifully crafted music and verse, making a minor classic in the process. But what of those 12 inch singles? The pre-album jaw droppers that gave Modaji such a following? Fear not, here they all are, gathered on one CD and sounding as fresh as ever. Each track is a little reminder of how music can seriously appeal to all just by it’s sheer quality (now there’s a thought…). The original Pre-sets has only been available in Japan before and features 3 previously unreleased tracks.

 

THE BOWLING GREEN Pre-Fabrications CD
(Spiky Records)
OUCH015
Spiky Records proudly present the second album by Micko Westmoreland a.k.a. The Bowling Green. Here he has produced an album as colourful and flamboyant as his image. Whilst sometimes difficult to pigeonhole the breadth of styles on offer, this makes for a truly satisfying listening experience. From the trashed electropop of Stereo Love and Bi-Numbers & the breakbeat funk of Hot Potootie through to the sleazy grind of Dirty Shag and Alcatrash the vibe is decadent, dazzling and anything but predictable. With guest contributors including The Stranglers’ Jean-Jacques Burnell, Jayne Wayne (Les Rhythm Digitales) and Jimi Tenor’s right hand man Terry Edwards, Fabrications blends lush live playing with undiluted funk and warped out sampladelia. No wonder 12 of Micko’s tunes (including a clutch from this LP) feature on Hollywood flick The Fluffer (featuring Debbie Harry).

 

EDDIE & THE EGGS This Is Your Brain CD/2x12"
(Joss House Recordings)
File Under: Maurice Fulton / Dance / House
JOSSCD05/VJOSSLP005 $25.95/31.95
"Eddie clearly likes his eggs scrambled and we’ll toast that" 3/5 Jockey Slut
The new album by Maurice Fulton! This is the completion of the project he started a couple of years ago with the A Cup Of Coffee track, widely supported by many DJ, amongst them - Derrick Carter (a track features on Carter’s amazing About Now mix CD), Louie Vega and Derrick May. The album moves from mellow home listening through to deep club tracks and features Jimi Tenor on sax and keys. Quirky, abstract, futuristic and always funky This Is Your Brain does leave you with one question, is Maurice Fulton the Aphex Twin of house?
Also available: Maurice Fulton Stress: Why Put Me Through It, (TFCD01).

 

SOULWAX 2 Many DJS CD
(PIAS)
File Under: Soulwax / Mix CDs / Brilliant!
PIASB065CD $29.95
"Hnag on didn’t Jive Bunny do something similar?" 5/5 Jockey Slut
"Jumble up your record box, get a blindfold, start mixing by touch and smell alone. One in ten million times it will sound as good as this, like those chimps with typewriters currently writing up the works of Shakespeare." Mixmag
Wanna hear Salt 'n' Pepa's Push It? Wanna hear it with music by The Stooges? Mix albums are a bit like a drunk man pissing in the dark: hit and miss. This, however, is something a bit special, especially when considering the last we saw of Soulwax was their album Much Against Everyone’s Advice – a rock album, nothing to do with this thing called dance and not a turntable in sight! Now, however, they’re releasing an album that was first broadcast on the Belgian airwaves and then across the net as Radio Soulwax, an inspired splicing of songs from varying genres, styles and trends whose brilliance defies belief. Soulwax have done this mix CD with panache: bootleg culture, electroclash, disco, pop, rock'n'roll – all are well served by this Belgian musical puree. There's an abundance of witty segues: Independent Women Pt 1 gives way to Dolly Parton chortling through Nine To Five; Peaches' unpleasant Fuck The Pain Away flexes into I'm Waiting For The Man; there's a particularly twisted encounter between The Cramps, The Breeders and Skee-Lo. Then there's Dakar And Grinser's take on I Wanna Be Your Dog, Felix Da Housecat's Silver Screen Shower Scene, New Order, Royksopp, Kylie - there's little here that you wouldn't turn up the radio for. This hour-long track contains bits and bobs from artists as diverse as Emerson Lake & Palmer, Booby Orlando, Soul Grabber, Garbage, The Residents, Lords Of Acid, 10CC, Destiny’s Child and a whole heap more. Not the cheapest mix CD though definitely one of the more unique. Completely mad and brilliant for it!

 

RED SNAPPER Its All Good CD/3x12"
(Keep Diggin’ Records)
File Under: Red Snapper / Dance
KEEPCD01/VKEEPLP01
Having released 3 groundbreaking and highly successful albums on Warp Records, Its All Good, is their first ever compilation and their last ever release because they have disbanded. Its a journey through electronica, breaks, jazz, deep house and down tempo and features exclusives from Andrew Weatherall & Keith Tenniswood (wont be featured on any other release) and Jake One. Also features Susumu Yokota, Spacer, IG Culture, DJ Spider, Red Snapper, Riton, Prefuse 73, Smokestack and His Name Is Alive. As you would expect the album contains a healthy dose of jazz (in it’s loosest form), taking you through elements of electronica, beats & breaks, electro, analogue house, techno and downtempo moods. It’s all good!

 

HARRY THE BASTARD Club H 3CD/3x12"
 (Statra Recordings) 
File Under: Harry The Bastard / Dance / House
STA2-32016/VSTA1-32016
"I was born and grew up back in New Zealand in a small place a couple of days swim off the coast of Australia. I grew up there and got involved in the music industry through a total love of what was going on at the time which was Punk Rock. Lovely stuff, full of the same sort of energy and freshness that house has these days." Harry
"I have very deep feelings about House. House is like a large monster with tentacles that suck you in, let you go in different directions then bring you back to the source of where it all came from. House spawned some of the greatest artists today." Harry
For over a decade Harry (lovingly known as The Bastard) Russell has been importing dance music for Watts Distribution in New York. Twice a month at his fashionable flat in Chelsea, Russell has been secretly hosting a series of private parties for DJs, producers, and music industry insiders. At these house music soirees Mr. Russell reveals the rare gems, unreleased titbits, and sleeping beauties he discovers at his day job. Thanks to Brooklyn's Statra, you no longer have to be a house music hotshot to hear said tunes - all you need to do is buy a copy of Club H.

Tracklisting
  • Yello – Moon On Ice
  • Cold Feet – In My lucid Dream (Karma Remix)
  • Cantoma – Pandajero
  • Slow Supreme – Granada
  • Nikkie D – Kugsarre
  • Aquarian Dream – Love & Tears (Soul Creatures Live Dub)
  • Karl The Voice – Music Is My Life (Playin’ 4 the city remix)
  • Summer Transport – Sol Patrol (Atjazz Mix)
  • Powder Productions - Rhode Island
  • Kenny Larkin – Catatonic (Carl Craig Mix)
  • Deep Experiments – Echoes & Vibes
  • Carl Craig – Dominas (Carl Craig Mix)

Also available:
STACD-9901 HARRY THE BASTARD Club H CD
STA2-32008 HARRY THE BASTARD Club H 2 CD

Now in its third volume, Club H combines the best in low-slung atmospheric house, jazz-house, and good ole' fashioned deep house, all that and he’s still a Bastard.

 

NEOL NANTON Fu Cha Cul Cha CD/2x12"
(Honchos Music)
File Under: Dance / House
HONMCD001/VHONMLP01
Debut album from Noel Nanton, titled Fu.Cha Cul.Cha. Nanton hails from Canada, and has produced a string of acclaimed 12"s for Nick Holder's DNH label, as well as other Canadian imprints such as Jinxx Records. The album is a collection of Noel's singles for DNH as well as some new material. Fu.Cha Cul.Cha is a long player brimming with percussion, spaced out guitar solos, big bad boogie bass lines, political verse, horns & saxophones and plenty more! The album includes the classic El Rey which has gone on to grace many compilation CDs and was released as a single on Honchos earlier this year with a killer Olav Basoski mix. Already receiving five star reviews in DJ Magazine & iDJ Mag, the album opens with the gorgeous strings of the (aptly titled) An Inspirational Journey, then raises the temperature with the reggae skank of So Sweet, slides into the tribal swing of the forthcoming single The Issue and wraps up with the parping horns and slap bass of Your Love. This album is definitely a refreshing change from the current glut of mix compilations and chill out comps, Fu.Cha Cul.Cha is an upbeat selection of "live", musical, seasonal house music. Damn, it sounds good too.

 

PERCY X Where’s The Music CD/2x12"
(Soma Recordings)
SOMACD028/VSOMALP028
Soma's mysterious digital funkmaster and techno veteran Percy X returns to the label and asks where's the music? Where's The Music is the all new album from the X-Man and he has crafted a sonic journey through an electronic dancefloor. Percy X is famed for his no holds barred techno sets but as of late he has been embracing the nu-electro and sleaze funk sounds of Clone, Bpitch Control and Rotters Golf Club. Where's The Music nods to electro, house and techno then morphs into a deep hybrid, full of machine soul. Percy X is the alter ego of Tony Scott, the talented Glasgow DJ and producer. He has been producing electronic music since the early nineties, initially with friend Richard Miller under the moniker Havana for fellow Glasgow label Limbo. He has been part of the Soma family since 1994, since then he has consistently produced high calibre cuts including two albums Gain (SOMACD21) and Spyx, and eight singles which includes the highly acclaimed 'Track 2' which has just been included on the recent Soma 10 Anthology (SOMACD027). This is a fantastic return from one of Soma's best loved children!

 

MUM Finally We Are No one CD
(Fat Cat)
FATCD18
Ever since that adorably mad pixie called Bjork came along and bamboozled us with her anti-logic and loveliness we've all been loving Icelandic music like there's no tomorrow. Sigur Ros made it onto a Tom Cruise movie's soundtrack after achieving much critical adoration and the support of Radiohead - and then there's label mates Mum. Atmospherically, Mum's second album, Finally We Are No One, bears striking similarities to Bjork's latest album Vespertine. It's full of peculiar little drum patterns and glocks, intricate programming and wonderful, fragile, music box melodies. It was written in a lighthouse in north-western Iceland (where else) and recorded in Sigur Ros' Reykjavik studios. The four-piece, based loosely in Reykjavik and Berlin, consists of two electronics whizzkids, Gunnar Orn Tynes and Orvar Poreyjarson Smarason, and two classically-trained sisters, Kristin Anna and Gyda Valtysdottir. Valgeir Sigurdsson, who also worked on Vespertine, is on hand with his engineering skills to the fore on this record, this album is almost an exercise in what Vespertine would sound like if you removed Bjork from it. The electronic element is to the fore, and where analogue instruments do appear, they are used sparingly. There isn't really a stand-out track on the album, as each piece slots neatly into the pattern of the album. At the risk of wheeling out the cliches, there is much about this record that is glacial. When you close your eyes and listen to the record, you're bound to imagine icy landscapes and dramatic seascapes converging on a warm, friendly and glowing indoors. Finally We Are No One has all the ingredients with which to send you into a fantastic dreamland if played late at night with the lights dimmed. Let your imagination take you away with Mum's music. You might find you don't want to come back.

 

DAVID GRUBBS Rickets & Scurvy CD
(Drag City / Fat Cat)
File Under: David Grubbs / Bastro / Squirrel Bai t/ The Red Krayola / Gastr del Sol
FATCD21
Rickets & Scurvy is David Grubbs first full length collection of songs since The Spectrum Between (Sunday Times' (UK) Record of the Year in 2000). It's the first of his solo records to be built around an electric group, featuring, John McEntire, Noel Akchote and Dan Brown, with Matmos' providing the electronics. Arguably his most accessible record to date, it nevertheless retains all the idiosyncracies typically associated his music. DG is also known of course for an amazing back catalogue of work from Squirrelbait and Bastro through to Gastr Del Sol, and a number of inspired collaborations and solo releases.

 

VARIOUS Flexipop CD/2x12"
(Ideal)
File Under: Electroclash
IDEALCD4/VIDEALLP4
New Ideal offshoot Flexipop presents a unique compilation of new music with influences from punk, new wave, New York no wave / disco, electro, hip-hop etc. Features unreleased material from Trevor Jackson (Playgroup) produced outfit The VCR’s and newcomers Maurice Montalba and Demolished Man. Also features tracks from Felix Da Housecat, Princess Superstar, Miss Kittin & The Hacker, Peaches & Gonzales and Add N to (X).

 

VARIOUS Notts Landing CD
 (DIY Discs)
File Under: Dance / House / DIY
DIY56CD
Nottingham is probably best known for its evil sheriff and the tale of his ongoing dispute with Robin Hood, Maid Marion and the Merry Men (a few of which can still be found in the Market Square after closing time), but it is also famed for a lesser-known fact. Maybe it is something in the water in this Lace making city but Nottingham is home to some of the most respected and admired producers around. From Charles Webster to Nail, Neon Heights to Digs & Woosh and Atjazz to the legendary DiY label - Nottingham has spawned a plethora of talent. So, I think you will all agree we have a lot to thank this City for. And so, Notts Landing has been compiled to celebrate this hotbed of talent. Featuring brand new exclusive tracks from Nottingham’s finest, Inland Knights, Neon Heights, DIY, Toka Project, Schmoov!, Hot Toddy, Nail and DJ Profile (Charles Webster) this compilation is set to firmly mark Nottingham on the map and confirm its status as ‘the home of deep house’.

HOOJ PRESENTS Further 2CD/3CD/3x12"
(Hooj Tunes)
File Under: Dance / Hooj
HOOJCDLP012/HOOJCDLPX012/VHOOJLPX012
Hot on the heels of the very warmly received Sounds of the Cosmos triple CD (HOOJCDLP011), Hooj return to the compilation fray with Further, a two hour + mix from head honcho Red Jerry. It's been a year since Jerry's snappily titled (ahem) New Progressive Era (HOOJCDLP09) album was released amidst a mini deluge of critical acclaim, earning comp. of the month in Ministry / Muzik / Wax / M8 amongst others, and Further is basically the follow up, without the crap name. If New Prog was an attempt to capture a piece of the transatlantic spirit emerging at the time, a time when Sasha n' Digweed were conquering Twilo, and Tenaglia was completing his long ascent to the UK throne, a year later, Further tries again to bring together all the most vital elements from today's dance floors to reflect the shifts that have inevitably occurred since the last outing. From the Chunky, tribally goodness of Lula, Marcello Castelli, Chris Lum and Lovesky, the imperious future funk of Ian O'Brien's Velocity Boy, through the effortless deep tech of Josh Collins and Lords of the Svek, all the way across to the 21st century Detroit vibes of Fabrice Lig and Paul Mac. With some stepping breaks from Rasoul / Kerbcrawler and timeless electro pop from Telepop and the ubiquitous Felix da Housecat thrown in. And as is always the case with Jerry's albums, whilst he's pulled tunes out of every corner of the current dancefloor, 'upfrontness' was a non-issue. Three different formats, the double CD (HOOJCDLP012), triple CD (HOOJCDLPX012) and triple pack of wax, some of the records on Further won't have been out for three days on release, some will have been out for three years, but like New Prog, the sum of the parts should hopefully add up to what is as much a listening experience as anything else. Or that was the intention. You be the judge.

 

And now available on wax….
VARIOUS Futebol CD/LP
(Mr Bongo)
File Under: Latin / Mr Bongo / Football
MRBCD24/VMRBLP024 $23.95/23.95
"Vividly captures the romance and passion that we expect from Brazilians" Fatboy Slim
The history of Brazilian football and the development of its musical styles are entwined. Perhaps because of the emphasis on the dribble, which moves one’s whole body, the sport is often described as a dance. The rhythm, happiness and ingenuity that mark Brazilian football make it perfect subject matter for music. Brazilians best express their creativity through football and music. Often both at the same time. Great packaging, amazing liner notes and has a couple of slices of the commentary from the 1970 World Cup, which Brazil won, gooooooooooooooooooooooal!

 

STEVE LAWLER Lights Out 2CD
(Global Underground)
File Under: Dance / Steve Lawler / Global Underground
GULO001
"Mr Lawler, sir, you are evidently still capable of surprising us. Fair play to you." 3/5 Muzik
"It’s absolutely Brilliant!" 5/5 Loaded CD of the Month
"Superbly executed & packed with obscure gems." 8/10 Mixer
"The soundtrack for your next fetish sesh. Amazing!" Ministry Magazine
"A dirtier and a rougher sound, the filthy funk just flies out at you. There's more than house music on show here" 9/10 Spaced.co.uk
"It's dark, it's tribal, it's definitely twisted ,and it may just scare young children". Listen with caution..." Cooljunkie.com
Steve Lawler presents Lights Out. …. A dynamic new series about the sleazier side of clubbing, from 4am backroom bedlam to insane after-hours sessions - Lights Out brings you the steroid fuelled basslines of Deserts I See The Light through to the seedy erotic rhythms of Thick Dick’s Orgasm. This mix shows Steve Lawler at his deep, dark and dirty best. It’s about those dance floor moments when a heady combination of sweat, hair raising music, flesh sliding off flesh and pounding primal beats drives our instincts to a base level where communication becomes a physical display of sexuality - dance - the secret language of desire and power. It’s all about how identities shift in the amorphous utopian alter-realities of a club night, especially when Steve is dominating the crowd, hypnotising the minds of the dance floor submissives - eager for more with their pleading hands. Steve will be touring Lights Out around the world, which should include a visit to our shores, twisting the music on this double CD into the minds of Global Underground fans everywhere, pushing the series in a way that conventional compilations can’t follow… Full visuals plucked from the darker edge of the erotic spectrum, dancers who challenge the crowd to question themselves and each other, and Steve’s Lights Out will catalyse each event into an experience not easily forgotten… Featuring tracks from Cevin Fisher, Steve Lawler, PIMP, Dr kucho & Wally Lopez, Lights Out, Desert and a heap more. Plus the CD comes in a very special and well cool rubber package – or er missus…. So before you loosen yourself up and tighten those cuffs, slip Lights Out into the CD player for a taste of what’s to come and ask yourself… who are you when the lights go out?

 

Also available:
T Shirt Lights out X Large
GLTLOBMXL
Impress ya mates in this stylish black T Shirt.

 

TIMMY REGISFORD One Night At The Shelter CD/2x12"
(Dance Wicked)
File Under: Dance / House
DWCD001/VDWSA001
Live from Shelter NYC, resident DJ Timmy Regisford takes us on a journey through the last ten years of soulful house music. Including tracks from Blaze, Kerri Chandler, Boobjazz, Alexander Hope and Kenny Bobien, this really is the crème de la crème. Timmy’s marathon sets, usually lasting 12 hours or more, have attracted the likes of Stevie Wonder to drop in for a listen and Danny Tenaglia to regard him as ‘inspirational’! Having been a DJ for 20 years Timmy has worked with some of the greats and cut his teeth under Larry Levan at the Paradise Garage. One Night at Shelter’s release comes just after the opening of the new Club Shelter in New York and is a snapshot of the kind of sound to be heard there week in week out. Timmy’s biography is book worthy. From Trinidadian descent, his career is multi-faceted, combining DJ, Producer, Engineer, Remixer, and A&R. Adding his unique touch as a producer and remixer to the works of Diana Ross, Gerald Alston, Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, New Edition, Bobby Womack and Gladys Knight & The Pips to name a few, he has shaped the face of modern music. In A&R, his aptitude for finding and developing new talent has bought the likes of Blaze, Johnny Gill, Basic Black, Eric B & Rakim, Guy, Miki Howard, Ten City and Curtis Hairston to the forefront of the music scene. He has solidified label agreements with NY’s Apollo Theatre Records and Motown’s first UK label Funki Dread Records, headed by Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B. One Night At the Shelter, simply great house music and simply stunning!

 

SHUTUPANDDANCE Magnolia Collection CD
(Shut Up And Dance)
File Under: Shut Up And Dance / Dance
SHUDCOMP2
Established in 1989, PJ and Smiley's pioneering London break beat label has been very busy over the last few years. As well as DJ'ing regularly all over the UK and Europe, they still have managed to find time to compile and release a compilation of all that represents the SUAD sound. Titled The Magnolia Collection this live mixed compilation featuring 15 tracks is a unique chance to hear and truly get into that Shut Up & Dance bassline sound. Features tracks such as the underground anthem No Doubt & the follow up Moving Up also as well as some other well established Artists such as the Hackney Soldiers productions.

 

CASS & SLIDE Burning The Candle At Both Ends CD
(Fire Recordings)
File Under: Cass & Slide / Progressive House / Dance
ERIFCD002
Fire Recordings release their first full artist album, and it's the debut long player from label bosses Cass and Pete 'Slide' Martin. The past couple of years have been busy for both Cass and Pete. Alongside running the innovative progressive label Fire Recordings, they both have regular worldwide DJ commitments and recently played in Auckland – well Cass did, anyway. Burning the Candle at Both Ends features collaborations with Danny Tenaglia, Meat Katie and also features the vocals of Jason Donovan (!) on 2 tracks. There's also a classy cover version of Terence Trent D'arby's Sign Your Name. It's an album of spectacular surprises and massive tunes. It reflects the musical styles that have influenced and fused these two London based producers. Veering effortlessly between the mainfloor, peaktime thumpers of Cass / Slide's own productions, including the moody floor fillers of JFOK and Opera, to the break house of Funk In Hell and Havoc and the chilled, layered vibes of Valium Behaviour. Alongside their classic tracks Opera and Perception is the huge track Fever Rising. Features the vocals of Fire favourite Adele Holness and with Danny Tenaglia sharing the helm at the mixer.

 

GUIDED BY VOICES Universal Truths And Cycles CD/LP
(Matador Records)
File Under: GBV / Rock
OLE547-2/VOLE547-1
The new Guided By Voices record, Universal Truths And Cycles, is being trumpeted by the band and assorted hangers-on as a "return to autonomy" but we have reason to believe that no one in the band can spell autonomy, even when drunk. There’s a few reasons it has been thus tagged: 1) because it’s self-produced, marking a return to old-school GbV ways (see Bee Thousand, Alien Lanes, Under The Bushes, Under The Stars) and 2) like those earlier albums, there’s a fine mix of sandpapery snippets and semi-gloss punk/prog/pop. But the third and maybe the biggest reason large-syllabled words are being hurled like eggs with regard to the new album is who’s putting it out. Matador Records, "The thing about that, though, is we never realized Guided By Voices left the label" Matador Records. Universal Truths And Cycles, described by Pollard "Alien Lanes meets Isolation Drills," and by Matador as "the new Guided By Voices album," may be the best thing the band has ever produced. Univeral Truths And Cycles arc-welds the lessons learned working in professional recording studios to the spontaneous approach of earlier, wild-haired Guided By Voices albums. The result: delicious pie! UTAC should please lo-fi nostalgia freaks and studio sheen addicts alike, and those few not yet convinced of Pollard’s songwriting genius will be left slack-jawed and drooling at the quantity and quality of musical ideas compressed into three-minute gems like Everywhere With Helicopter, Eureka Signs, and Pretty Bombs, featuring the string quartet Invert. Pollard’s singing, whether double-tracked on an expensive German microphone or murmured into a Radio Shack cassette player, sounds more assured and more elastic than ever. Doug Gillard’s guitar playing has evolved to the point where you can’t imagine Guided By Voices without his soaring, incandescent leads and unexpected juxtapositions of texture and tone. And the rest of the band — well, they’re great, too. We don’t know if GbV, or any band, are capable of saving rock, but we do that if rock is worth saving, it’s in no small part because of Guided By Voices

 

PEACE DIVISION Nite:Life 010 CD/2X12"
(NRK Sound Division)
File Under: Nite Life / NRK / Peace Division / Dance
NRKMX010/VNRKVMX010
"Never before have I played so many tracks by the same artist in one night!" – Danny Tenaglia
Brought up on a diet of hip hop, electro and 80’s synth pop, Clive Henry and Justin Drake have helped shape the house music movement without all the hype and fuss that surrounds some of their peers and contemporaries. A debut foray into the studio resulted in a release on the UK Slip ‘n’ Slide label, and the pair have not looked back since. Building a rapport with influential labels such as Junior, Hooj and Eukatech, their impressive production output resulted in their widely respected debut album, Junkyard Funk on Low Pressings. Their trademark tribal drums, dark edges and dubbed out grooves have also lent the midas touch to a multitude of artists & labels. This DJ mix took a while to compile; each track had to really represent the Peace Division vibe, but after months of road-testing acetates and CDRs, the guys have put together a stimulating mix that starts with the stripped down minimalism of Earth Deuely, slides into the robotic vocal house of Shauna Solomon, into the dark grooves of Katakarna’s mix of Cocaine and ends with the spine tingling I Have Put Out The Light by. Peace Division fire on all cylinders with this stimulating mix of stripped down techy grooves and dark and twisted robotic house music, a worthy addition to anyone’s collection and yet another wicked addition to the cracking Nite:Life series.

 

DOC MARTIN Sounds You Can feel CD/3x12"
(Classic Music Company)
File Under: Doc Martin / Classic / House / Dance
CMCCD104/VCMCLP104
"This is just high quality, and if house music is your thing, then you shouldn’t be without the tutelage of Doc Martin. Ever." 4/5 Jockey Slut
"Lowlights? You shittin’ me, right?" Jockey Slut
"He has changed the way a generation listens to house music" King Britt
For those who have been unaware and out of the loop for the last 15 years or so, come on down the music’s fine now…. Doc Martin (real name Martin Mendoza) began his mission on the decks back in the Summer of 1986. With strong roots in funk and disco, his focus on house music was triggered while playing the clubs and warehouses of late 1980s San Francisco. One of the main founders of the strong West Coast dance scene, Doc has always been a master of mixing the crowd with the music. This stunning CD mix showcases Doc’s skills as a DJ. Mixing up a storm with tracks by artists such as Blaze, Aaron Carl, Ray Mang and Nathan D’Troit, Danmass, Aaron Carl, Derrick Carter, Rob Mello, Barrio Brothers, Shaun Escoffery and plenty more. Good? – You bet. Great? – Naturally. Stunning? – Without a doubt!

 

VARIOUS 03.Paper CD
(Play Label)
File Under: Dance
PLAY003CD
Year 2000, Tokyo, Japan and the birth of a brand new independent label - Play. Focusing on dubby vibes and liquid funky grooves, Play bring you the best from the eclectic world of international club music. With a roster of artists from Europe and America as well as Japan, PLAY presents a global network of like minded fusionists, bringing warmth and experimentation to the electronic scene. Here the Play label has released the third and final instalment (our first) of the Stone.Scissors.Paper compilation series. 03. Paper brings to a peak the high-quality recordings the series is well known for. The final part of the puzzle includes offerings from Fila Brazillia, Howie B, Susumu Yokota, Kan Takagi, Tikiman, Pressure Drop, The Mighty Quark and more. Don't eat stones, don't play with scissors and don’t wear paper underwear…. Do play CD in CD player.

 

KEVIN YOST Abstract Funk Theory CD/2x12"
(Obsessive)
File Under: Kevin Yost / Obsessive / Dance
EVSCD31/VEVSLP31
Edition nine of this constantly evolving series brings us Kevin Yost. Compiling the latest collection of Abstract Funk Theory, Kevin Yost provides us with possibly the most Abstract so far. As the series has evolved everyone’s interpretation of Abstract has been uniquely different and Kevin is no different. Having developed his skills in the backwaters of Pennsylvania, Kevin Yost has become one of the most influential electronic producers of recent years. This collection of tracks for the Abstract Funk Theory album is an example of the musical styles that make up Kevin Yost. The great thing about this series is that it is the individuals interpretation of Abstract Funk. This has taken many guises thus far. Here Kevin takes us on his own interpretation of a musical safari, sometimes jazzy, sometimes funky, sometimes progressive, but always real! The industry has come to know Kevin by his incredible Deep Jazzy house, but that facet of his music, although his truest art, is only a small facet of what you experience when he spins. Needless to say he considers what he does to follow no rules, no classifications, as such he wanted a compilation to highlight this, while making the listener question their assumptions about Kevin. Given no boundaries he took it back home and developed this latest edition of Abstract Funk Theory. His feeling was to capture the sound that springs from the realness of the untouched land of the Waynesboro, PA, USA . In such he has handpicked selected tracks from himself, collaborations and studio mates. The result is music, plain and simple! Just listen and discern for yourself!!

 

VARIOUS Futebol CD
(Mr Bongo)
File Under: Latin / Mr Bongo / Football
MRBCD24
"Vividly captures the romance and passion that we expect from Brazilians" Fatboy Slim
Brazil became a republic in 1889. Five years later Charles Miller arrived with two footballs at the port of Santos and the country’s destiny was foreordained. Within decades football was the strongest symbol of Brazilian identity. Brazil has won the World Cup four times more than any other country. It has produced some of the most talented players of all time, such as Leônidas, Didi, Garrincha, Sócrates, Zico, Romário and Ronaldo, and of course Pelé, the greatest of them all. But the romance of Brazilian football is not just that the country is the most successful. It is because of the graceful, awesomely skilful and acrobatic way they play. It is because of the musicality and contagious good spirits of their fans. And it is because the commentators shout: "goooooooooooooal". The history of Brazilian football and the development of its musical styles are entwined. Perhaps because of the emphasis on the dribble, which moves one’s whole body, the sport is often described as a dance. The rhythm, happiness and ingenuity that mark Brazilian football make it perfect subject matter for music. Pixinguinha was the first major composer to write a song about a match, in 1919, and since then football has inspired almost all the great twentieth century popular Brazilian artists including Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Elis Regina and Jorge Ben, all of whom have tracks on this 22 track compilation that honours, football and that special Brazilian connection. Brazilians best express their creativity through football and music. Often both at the same time. Great packaging, amazing liner notes and has a couple of slices of the commentary from the 1970 World Cup, which Brazil won, gooooooooooooooooooooooal!

 

THE NEWMATICS Riot Squad CD
(Musica Dep)
File Under: Ska / Soul / Funk / Classic NZ Music
MD001
LIMITED EDITION CD RELEASE
"This was a group which burned bright but fast with their rugged, energy-before-finesse brand of ska, soul and funk." Russell Ballie NZ Herald June 10th 2002
"The Newmatics were perfect for the first cover as they were wearing that ultimate Kiwi fashion item, the coloured knitted jersey. One Pink, one Red, one Orange, one Yellow, one Lemon and one Blue. In fact, the Newmatics RipItUp cover looked not unlike a photo on a knitting pattern." Murray Cammick (Xtra)
Individually numbered limited edition (200) CD release for this wonderful New Zealand band from days gone by. It was the early 80’s, a time when New Zealand was far removed from rest of the world. A more innocent time, of Springbok Tours, Robert Muldoon and car-less days. Enter The Newmatics, a group of Auckland musicians caught up in the heady spirit of the day. A band that captured the ethos and spirit of punk rock and the Jamaican influenced Ska – long before it became a watered down generic designer style championed by rich white male Californians, but a music of and for the street. Where protest songs and thinking for yourself were the order of the day and the message was as important as the means. A jug of beer cost less than a buck and original bands played in many pubs up and down the land. The Newmatics, a group of young Auckland lads whose Ska and funk drenched sounds were just bloody great. This 21 track compilation is a collection of the singles they recorded plus contains live recordings, some radio interludes and some sneaky extra hidden tracks. Sounding as fresh today as they did back in those heady days of the early 80’s. Essential!

 

THE HO'DOGS ORAL TRADITION CD
(Kato Music)
File Under: Garage / Rock / Punk / NZ Music
HD001
Legendary entertainers on the Dunedin scene through the late nineties, the blowtorch flame blew hard and fast for this quintet of raucous whirlwind fury. A revolving door of drummers, several bassists, always a guitarist, sometimes three, and fronted by the ever unpredictable, always captivating Tim Doe. A smorgasbord of chuggin' rok stylings, hardcore poonk, boogiesque 70s rock 'n' roll, a little death, a little speed metal, and a scuzzy layering that only basement and garage settings could offer. All such angles gave the ho' dogs a potential wealth of material to draw from, and a potential wealth of punters to play to. The bar was set for others to try to follow....... A number of tapes belched forth for consumption, a few pieces of vinyl, one in bonafide black, split with Invercargill's Hounds Of Zaroff, and a Geraldine cutting from the King studios... And finally a stab at proper studio time-age, with Paddy Moran of Tailgater Studios trying to git sumthin' down that was more aurally threatening, a worthy document of this many-headed beast. Such were the trials and tribulations of this challenge the band dissolved with the singer heading off orientally speaking overseas. Ood things don't last??? A new version of the ho' dogs now treads the boards in Auckland town, picking up from where the overboard years of Dunedin habits had ended... Such was the legacy of those Dunedin years, many find it hard to cope with the newer look. Still the energy this collective of mostly southern boys has at their disposal is always mind-boggingly devastating no matter what the make-up of the team. If the many shades of rok is your thing, to ignore this bratty and very loud puppy would be your loss...... Those at the eye of this storm include/included Dan Canada, Tim Dog, Dick Dog, Smokehouse, Morgan Oliver, Matt "Mr.Crude" Middleton, and honorary members, Shaun Jury, Stefan "Mr.Pumice" Neville, Vinnie Motorfag and Gerald Stewart..... Play loud for maximum effect!

 

FINGATHING Superhero Music CD
(Grand Central Records)
File Under: Fingathing / Grand Central / Hip Hop
GCCD114
"I wanted to be a battle DJ because it was the only way to be truly creative on turntables, normal dj’ing is easy…." Peter Parker
"Juicy, brutal and blistering" – The Face
Fingathing are a thing of, creation, and madness. Consisting of Parker and Sneaks, (though you would be forgiven for believing there were more of them hiding behind their wild noises) who brought loads of expensive equipment, learnt how to play it, then came up with Fingathing. Superheros of the Manchester hip-hop scene, Fingathing, renowned for their original, cartoonish artwork and equally colourful DJ style, one of Grand Central’s most essential live acts. The two Fingas in question go by the names of Peter Parker and Sneaky, propping up the turntables and double bass respectively. Yeah, that’s right: Fingathing’s twin pilots combine mastery of both classical and contemporary instruments to great effect and even greater sound. As hip-hop visionaries go there can’t be many more quirky a combination. The Fingas’ second longplayer, Superhero Music, is released just in time to get your Winter up and jumpin’. Produced in conjunction with the man Drury and his zany artwork (check out www.fingathing.com for eye-catching examples) the record was written at home and represents the latest word in turntable tenacity. Spreading the good-time Manchester vibes everywhere they go, the Parker/Sneaky experience is not one to be missed out on.

MR C Change CD
(End Recordings)
File Under: Mr C / Dance
ENDCD003
"Change is a document of the dancefloor produced by a man with an almost spiritual connection to a scene he loves so much" 4/5 Jockey Slut
The legend returns…. Mr C presents his debut album. As an underground DJ, producer and protagonist, Mr C has been there from acid house’s beginning, through the creation of tech house, to helping redraw dance music’s future with his shiny West End club (London), The End. You may also know him from The Shamen – but enough of that. Change is the album that his international brigade of admirers have long anticipated – and its been worth the wait.

 

TOM MIDDLETON The Sound Of The Cosmos 3CD
(Hooj Choons)
File Under: Tom Middleton / Hooj
HOOJCDLP011
Tom 'The Jedi' Middleton is red hot. Not content with having the biggest tune around with Cosmos, Take Me with You, here he sets out his stall with his definitive mix for Hooj. Entitled The Sound Of The Cosmos, this 3 CD package captures Tom at his very best behind the decks and FX, and encompasses the full diversity of styles that have made his name as a top-flight DJ. True eclecticism is sometimes hard to find, but with Sound Of The Cosmos look no further. Where else will you find Blue Monday overlaid with Tiga and Zyntherius' ultra hot Sunglasses At Night, or Schmoov's remix of A Millions Sons' truly genius Misti Blu, sitting happily alongside Bob Morgan's Marguerite (a reggae version of the Tony Hart's Take Hart theme tune)? Right here... Rhythm, melody, harmony. The essence of great music. CD1: Harmony‚ features Tom's electro/breaks/nu-jazz mix, CD2: Melody‚ features the deep house and CD3: Harmony, is his ambient/Balearic set. An outstanding display of his talents, The Sound Of The Cosmos‚ will cement Tom's reputation as one of the best, and most eclectic DJs around. With this comp you can have it large with your mates in the front room, small with your parents in the kitchen, then have it off with your lover in the bedroom. It's music for life with a feel good factor turned up to 11.

DJ VIBE International Grooves CD
(Intergroove)
File Under: Dance / Progressive House
IGUKCD001
"He’s Europes answer to Danny Tenaglia, you know." 3/5 Jockey Slut
Portuguese jock DJ Vibe release’s his first mix album as the inaugural release from Intergroove Records. After years of Vibe tearing up the dancefloors around the globe, International Grooves finally gives him the chance to document his incredible style, taste and technical proficiency. This dark and proggy mix features tracks from Lexicon Avenue, Peace Division, That Kid Chris, Dark Driver, Plank 15’s rendition of Strings Of Life and DJ Rasoul. It also has an exclusive remix of his own classic track Get Up under the Underground Sound Of Lisbon (which also includes our other Portuguese geezer this week – Rui Da Silva) moniker. Over an hour of driving dancefloor dynamics from one of the finest exponents in the business, Vibing all the way….

 

VARIOUS Modern Jazz Movement Version Six CD
(Millennium Jazz)
File Under: Dance
MJCD006-2
Sixth compilation from Millennium Jazz featuring more wonderful chilled out sounds from the likes of Tosca, Yonderboi, Lemongrass, G-Pal, Dzihan & Kamien amongst the line up. Perfect for those lazy days and evenings where at warm fire, good friends and your favourite tipple are the order of the day.

 

Single:
CHARLES WEBSTER Ready Remixes CDS
(Peacefrog)
File Under: Charles Webster
PFG031CD
Taken from the stunning album, Born on the 24th July (PF097CD), Ready gets the remix treatment from the hugely respected Matthew Herbert who has become somewhat of a remix guru of late. Herbert’s cut is a seven minute four to the floor quirky club tool in true Herbert style which still retains the sweetness of the original vocal and will be huge with the more discerning DJ’s. There is also a three and a half minute Herbert radio edit. In addition Charles Webster pulls out the widely acknowledged Presence guise for a more commercial mix using the full vocal (sung by New York legend Terra Deva). Wicked!

 

RUI DA SILVA Produced & Remixed by… 2CD
(Kismet)
File Under: Rui Da Silva / Dance / Progressive House
KMTA01
Rui Da Silva presents the first album on his Kismet imprint and a collection of his finest productions and remixes of the past two years. Many of them on CD for the very first time, Produced and Remixed by... is a journey beyond the huge international success of (UK) number one single Touch Me and a chance to experience the underground sounds and 4am grooves that have made Rui one of the leading dance producers around. Having gained support from the industry icons, including Danny Tenaglia, Sasha and John Digweed, Kismet's success was further fuelled with their fourth, now classic release Touch Me. Oakenfold played it five times in one sitting at Pacha Ibiza. This album presents some of Rui's best remixes and originals, and also includes a few unreleased tracks. Among the selection are new mixes for artists such as Keli Ali (Sneaker Pimps), a collaboration with Terry Farley as Obeah Men and up-and-coming new talent Ben Onono to name just a few. Other highlights includes Rui’s remixes of Bedrock’s Beautiful Strange, The album is rounded off with Rui Da Silva's latest and very mental single Stoned, which has established itself as a firm favourite for 2002 among DJ's across the board. Underground to overground - it's all here.

 

TERRY CALLIER Speak Your Peace CD
(Mr Bongo)
File Under: Terry Callier
MRBCD023
After last years debut Alive (MRBCD19) for Mr Bongo, Terry Callier comes forward with his most inspirational album to date. Instead of trading on his illustrious back catalogue, Terry Callier has continued to move forward over the years. The critically acclaimed 1997 set Timepeace (Verve) marked a triumphant return to public consciousness after a long hiatus. It proved to be a watershed, enabling hitherto unaware lovers of beautifully crafted, compassionate songs to discover a lost genius; a man who was nurtured by the great Charles Stepney at Chess Records and went on to record the ‘70s anthems Don’t Wanna See Myself Without You, Be A Believer and Dancing Girl. These songs would all have a huge impact on the rare groove generation a decade later. Buoyed up by his new audience, Terry released Lifetime (Verve) in 1998 and then a live set Alive last year. In 2001 he was also to be heard on much-praised albums by Koop (Waltz For Koop) and 4 Hero (Creating Patterns) and now he releases Speak Your Peace. A new solo project that reconfirms his enormous song writing talent and shared vision with today’s most adventurous producers, namely Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick of Incognito and 4 Hero. Speak Your Peace, as much as it is a wake-up call for conscious minds, is also a celebration of fraternity; the light on the album is perhaps greater than the shadow. Caravan Of Love, Just My Imagination that segues into the uplifting Imagine A Nation and Brother To Brother, a duet with Paul Weller, are all guaranteed to rouse the weariest of spirits.

 

ONENESS OF JUJU Space Jungle Luv CD
(Strut)
File Under: Funk / Strut
STRUTCD028
Space Jungle Luv was recorded and released in 1976 as the follow-up to Oneness' break-through African Rhythms (STRUTCD018) set. The album ushered the band away from the dance floor and into the realms of Sun Ra's cosmology, bringing modal jazz and ambient atmospherics into their musical mix. The funky basslines and African percussion remained but within a much more melodic setting showcasing the incredible vocals of Jackie Holoman-Lewis to the full. Recognised as leaders of the current afro beat revival, responsible for Nigeria 70, Club Africa (STRUTCD01) and other magnificent musical documents, Strut have outdone themselves here, with bonus unreleased tracks, new sleeve notes, rare photos, and original artwork, all compiled in conjunction with Oneness of Juju. From smooth down tempo to dance floor, this album has a bit of everything for the organic/world beat lover.

 

 

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