CD Releases: October 2002 updated:15/04/2003
BRIAN CROOK Bible + Black CD
(Arclife)
File Under: NZ Music / Arclife / The Renderers
ARC019
Second solo offering from guitarist Brian Cook. Brian has been on of the key players on the southern New Zealand scene not only as a featured instrumentalist but also as a vocalist and songwriter in such groups as the Rederers, The Terminals, Scorched Earth Policy and the more experimental Flies Inside The Sun. For his new release Bible Black, Brian backs off the volume, tones down the purple prose and strips back all the instrumentation in search of sustained moodiness. Love lorne, liquored and lost, the anti heroes of these tales shuffle away from various heart-wrecks resolved only in their confusion. The retired boxer looking to match his glory days or the young kid who finds a murdered girl in the river seem more puzzled by their circumstances than fired into any action. The overall feeling – like laudanum to a horse, is to wander blissfully down the broken highways of rural nowheresville thinking that young girl that nearly drove you out of your mind was a Hell of a Woman.
FELIX THE HOUSECAT Kittenz & Thee Glitz CD
(City Rockers)
File Under: Felix The Housecat / Dance
CITYROCK4CD
"We’re re-releasing Kittenz.. for the money" City Rockers spokesperson
"4 stars, one of the 10 artists you need to know. Fun, freaky future funk" Rolling Stone
"#4 Record of 2001, One of the most innovative records to come from an American DJ" NY Times
"9 out of 10. The soundtrack for a sleek, cosmopolitan future" Mixer
And the winner is... the world was shocked when Felix da Housecat slipped in above Air, the Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk to snap the 2001 Muzik Magazine Album of the Year Award for Kitten and Thee Glitz. So was the man himself! His album earned piles of praise and stars from Rolling Stone, New York Times, Mixer, URB and countless others for its purr-fect blend of 80's electro decadence and underground grooves. This re-release of Felix’s album is nearly the same as the original, in addition to which it includes three remixes of singles culled from the album by Royksopp, Laurent Garnier and Justin Robertson and comes in new cover slip and is limited in numbers. "I’m not trying to sell this to people who already got it, only to people who haven’t" More City Rockers wisdom… If you haven’t heard this album yet, slap yourself! Recommended.
SPOON Kill The Moonlight CD
(Merge / Spunk)
File Under: Spoon / rock
URA065
Imagine an off kilter Pavement mixed with the brutally tuneful Wire. Spoon have been compared to many a fine band in their time, including the Fall, the Pixies, Suicide, Elvis Costello, Modern Lovers and Guided By Voices. However after four records Spoon have developed a sound incomparable to any of their peers. This is no average rock band. Kill The Moonlight will stop you in your tracks, with it’s arty pop angles and "Vega" rock beats. The Way We Get By, Jonathan Fisk, Back to the Life... It’s a record chock-a-block with hits and running through it all is an inlay of horns, string samples, and piano that make this a gem of a record, hidden or otherwise.
THE NATIONAL TRUST Dekkagar CD
(Thrill Jockey / Spunk)
File Under: The National Trust / rock
URA071
The National Trust started out as a casual musical friendship between Neil Rosario, Andy Cunningham & Mark Henning. As their song repertoire grew, so did their membership - adding bassist Doug Demers and percussionists Brian Deck and Brian Aldrin. After the release of their debut 7", recorded for about 300 dollars, - the group played their first gig to a nearly sold out Empty Bottle crowd. It would be only a few months till their second packed gig. Then they disappeared. Disappeared into the studio, that is, under the guidance of Brian Deck, whose recent recordings include Califone, and Modest Mouse. Initially, The National Trust intended merely to document the songs and the group. They were not recording for a label or with a specific release...but then the path of glory was laid down. When they weren't slapping balls around on the tennis courts, Rosario & Henning spent the hours at home & in the rehearsal space vibing up the shape of things to come. The combination of the Trust and Deck proved to be a brilliant match and, with no deadline, they set out to create the perfect document. It became a labour of love and an obsession as the group worked song by song. It was around this time that organist/synthist Russell Baseman joined the fold... The opening track Making Love in the Natural Light contains over 70 tracks- at least 35 of them vocals- singing as well as mouthgames. All contain layered vocals, up to 15 guitar tracks, interwoven keyboards, and guests from guitarists Tim Rutilli (Califone) to trombonist Jeb Bishop. Dekkagar circles planets inhabited by the Sea and The Cake and Lambchop while all manners of lushness are sprayed into the air. A few dubious influences drop by without running the atmosphere. Cross pollination, Thrill Jockey Style.
XINLISUPREME Murder License CD
(Fatcat Records)
File Under:
FATSP06
Following up the widespread acclaim of their recent album, Xinlisupreme return with a seven-track mini-album of blistering pace and vicious, devastating power. A vital / viral blast of corrosive, red raw, bleeding black heart guts and mess and pure fucking energy scrawl, that's part nihilism and part holding up a cracked mirror to a fucked and collapsing insane world, the mini album is titled Murder License and its cover art features an American flag chopped up on a background of smeared blood. If anything, Murder License is an increasingly focused and coherent release than before. Rhythms are weightier and more up-front. Every track is intensely driven, the whole bursting out at the listener with barely a pause between eruptions. Xinlisupreme may evoke or draw on earlier influences (MBV, J&MC, Merzbow, Suicide, Pere Ubu) yet there's an honesty and undoubted individuality that sets the band poles apart from the vast majority of their peers - a scorched earth acceleration that exposes the current vogue of retro-fit punk for the vacuous fashion preening it is. Xinlisupreme are the real fucking deal, from the heart and guts. There's no question of being trapped in the weight of another's shadow. This is desperate, intensely driven music, clawing out for something, brutally focused, engorged with fear and loathing. In a mostly dreary music industry landscape that's dominated by either escapist confections or fashion posturing, they are one of too few artists attempting to stir up some kind of response, to issue any kind of wake-up call.
JEAN JACQUES SMOOTHIE J’aime La Musique 2CD
(Hoperecordings)
File Under:
HOPECD040
Jean Jaques has put together a compilation album of his very own. It has been a very busy year for Jean Jacques Smoothie. Since his debut Two People smashed into the UK charts and was all over national radio he has appeared on Top Of The Pops, DJed from Moscow to Madrid, and everywhere in between, supported Timo Maas on his UK tour, remixed Kylie, continued to run his own record label, Plastic Raygun, and is putting the finishing touches to his album. Now, demonstrating his truly unique DJ style, Jean Jacques has put together his homage to the underground. J'aime la Musique is a collection of tunes from Smoothie's record box, showing his two loves, House and Breakbeat featuring his new single Love & Evil, the classic 2 People and some unreleased exclusives from the likes of Timo Maas, Starecase, Capoeira Twins, Le Hammond Inferno, Stitch and plenty more. Tennis anyone?
The Unabombers Saturday Night Sunday Morning 2CDx12"
(Electric Chair)
File Under: Unabombers / Electric Chair / Dance
CHAIR002CD/VCHAIR002LP
"This superb compilation connects the many corners of dance music...from classic house and hip hop to broken beats and jazz funk. Brilliant". Seven Magazine
Saturday Night Sunday Morning features 21 tracks in the mix including bonafide classics and contemporary gems from the likes of Frankie Knuckles, Black Science Orchestra, Kenny Dope, Atmosfear, Masters At Work, Kool & The Gang, Jon Cutler, Vikter Duplaix, T-Coy, Lil Louis, Grace Jones, Craig Mack... While the superclubs are on their knees the Electric Chair goes from strength to strength rightfully famed for their monthly Saturday night at the Music Box in Manchester they've started up a monthly Sunday residency at Nuphonic’s infamous "Bridge and Tunnel" den in London. And as if that wasn't enough they've started work on their own productions. Like the last album Saturday Night Sunday Morning comes formatted as a double CD including mixed and unmixed versions whilst the double vinyl commits some of the best & most collectable cuts to plastic. Wickedly good!
FREDDY FRESH B Boy Stance CD/2x12"
(Strut)
File Under: Freddy Fresh / Strut / Hip hop
STRUTCD012/VSTRUTLP012
Producer, DJ, remixer and label boss of Howlin' 45s, Freddy Fresh, is also one of hip-hop's quirkiest vinyl collectors. The self-declared, last true family man, publishes B-Boy Stance, his painstakingly definitive hip-hop directory, covering the old school era from 1979 to '88 in October this year. The book claims to list everything from established anthems to the most obscure 12"s as well as featuring charts from more than 100 acclaimed hip-hop artists. To celebrate its realisation, Freddy's hip-hop bible is accompanied by a new mixed long-player of party-rockin' cuts by legendary artists such as Knights Of The Turntable, JVC Force, Super 3, Cool C, Trickeration and Scott La Rock of BDP fame on a label music fans have come to trust and revere, Strut. As per usual the package comes with extensive liner notes and great cover art to make this a truly outstanding compilation. Recommended.
INTERPOL Turn on The Bright Lights CD
(Matador)
File Under: Interpol / Rock / Matador
OLE5452
Interpol was created in New York City in 1998. The original line-up of the band was Greg on drums, Daniel on guitar, Paul on vox and guitar, and Carlos on bass. Between ’98 and 2000, the four lads forged a unique sound in a variety of the city’s decrepit and shady rental rehearsal rooms. Throughout 2000 and 2001 they opened for bands like ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Arab Strap, and The Delgados. Then came Interpol’s first release, at the end of 2000, in the form of the third installment of the FukdID EP series on Scottish label Chemikal Underground. Around the same time, the band also contributed an unreleased track, Song Seven, to the Fierce Panda Records compilation Clooney Tunes. In April 2001 Interpol played in Glasgow, Manchester, and London, capping off their visit with a session for the famed John Peel. In November of 2001, the band tucked themselves away in Connecticut at Tarquin Studios to record their debut full-length. The album was recorded and mixed by Peter Katis (Mercury Rev, Clem Snide) and Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Clinic.). Each of the songs on this album emit various shades of gray, built on durable arrangements, a veteran band's sense of economy and dynamics, and a streak of gloom that never quite reaches overbearing doom. At some point early on, someone decided to start comparing this New York trio to Joy Division, which makes sense given the mannered, precise fashion in which the group builds tension and (sometimes) releases it, and for the fact that Paul Bank's voice occasionally approaches the depths of Ian Curtis' thick baritone. This is a horribly nearsighted way of viewing the band; a Joy Division comparison is only one of many that can be drawn, and they are all tenuous at best. To those looking beneath the surface, Interpol becomes a band of its own and Turn On The Bright Lights an album to cherish.
SLEATER KINNEY One Beat CD
(Kill Rock Stars / Spunk)
File Under: Sleater Kinney
URA070
Over the last half decade, Sleater Kinney has simultaneously become both the most visible, successful group to emerge from the early-'90s riot grrrl movement and total masters of their message and craft. They're one of those rare bands that can transcend the unique moment in time during which they emerged and appeal to a broad, diverse audience without ever sacrificing the artistic integrity and core values that motivated them to begin making music in the first place. With songs built around Corin Tucker's distinctive, hair-raising yowl, Carrie Brownstein's aggressive harmonising, and the duo's busy barbed-wire guitar lines, Sleater Kinney deliverer astonishing three-minute bursts of undiluted, eight-cylinder punk rock with unmistakable, clearly intelligible ideological messages contesting America's persistent social injustices, lingering gender inequalities, and rampant materialism. The trio had redefined punk rock for the post-riot grrrl era, had reclaimed it for women, and in doing so, had got back to the core of what punk was all about. Sleater Kinney's raw, raucous intensity, mastery of the melodic punk rock anthem, and polemical fire earned them a dedicated fan base, which extended far beyond the bounds of the typical riot grrrl audience. That fan base would only grow after the 1997 release of Dig Me Out, which saw the group leave Chainsaw for Kill Rock Stars and add new drummer Janet Weiss. Expectations couldn't have been much higher for the group's fourth release, 1999's The Hot Rock, the sometimes spooky, sometimes experimental album revealed a group completely on top of their game, willing to try new things, eager to challenge their listeners. After six full-length albums and numerous other releases, Sleater Kinney had yet to take a serious misstep. Their song writing continues to evolve and mature, with every album simultaneously building on and departing from their previous efforts. Did we mention this record is completely amazing? – no, well this record is completely amazing! It will make you want to jump up out of your chair, find your friends and change the world.
BRIGHT EYES Lifted or The Story… CD
(Saddle Creek / Spunk)
File Under: Bright Eyes
URA067
Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst, born 1980 in Omaha and recording since he was 13, owns a voice that quakes with the tumultuous energy that only youth can produce. Oberst's incredible ability to tell stories with his songs and paint intricate pictures with his words is reminiscent, without being derivative, of mid-period Dylan. And his gift for composing and delivering those songs is pure poetry. As the mastermind behind the acclaimed Bright Eyes collective, Oberst’s genius is found in a pretence-free, orchestral approach to songwriting. His most recent, most musically vigorous and rockin’ project, Desaparecidos (album out soon), toured the US and released Read Music / Speak Spanish to enormous amounts of critical acclaim. Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground is the latest, most significant release from Oberst and the notable cast of Bright Eyes players. Oberst’s mainstay production team of Mike Mogis and Andy Lemaster (Now It’s Overhead) lend performances on the record along with other noteworthy Omaha musicians including Todd and Clark Baechle (The Faint), Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor (Azure Ray), Matt Maginn and Clint Schnase (Cursive), and Jiha Lee (The Good Life). Discover for yourself Conor's amazing talent at combining well-crafted lyrics with haunting music and melodies to produce songs that are manic, depressing, honest, and inspiring. Bright Eyes is an ever-changing entity. It's only constant is singer/songwriter Conor Oberst whose lyrical and musical ability continue to amaze us.
THE FAINT Danse Macabre CD
(Saddle Creek / Spunk)
File Under: post rock
URA069
Are you ready for a new wave onslaught? This third full-length from Omaha, Nebraska's native sons picks up where the Faint's previous release, Blank-Wave Arcade, left off but adds a darker and deeper twist. Merging rock, dance, and electronic with a blend of the melodic, Danse Macabre is a mature and multilevel new wave sound that gets better with each listen. Tracks of note include the dance sensation Glass Danse and the late-night hit Let the Poison Spill. From their beginnings as a low-fi pop band releasing cassettes to the release of their highly anticipated, electronically charged new Danse Macabre album, The Faint have always been a band which is in constant evolution. The Faint are from the currently thriving Omaha music scene. Featuring current members Todd Baechle (vocals, synthesizer), Clark Baechle (drums), and Joel Petersen (bass) they began by opening coffee house shows for various singer songwriters in 1994, utilising an off-beat hodgepodge of folk and lo-fi. Performing under the name Norman Bailer, the original line-up featured standard rock instruments as well as some effected keyboard and vocal leads. They released this material on a now out-of-print cassette on Saddle Creek (then called Lumberjack) records. The Faint look to make sounds that point forward, escaping the constraints of traditional guitar sounds in favor of less chartered (electronic) aural waters. Fusing punk urgency with the gadgetry of technology, they are changing the landscape of the underground. As The Faint's unique sound and artistry continue to mature. The Faint continues to push the envelope, creating smart music that refuses to sit quietly in one genre or be pigeonholed. On the cheekily-titled track Your Retro Career Melted, the group sums up its future with one simple lyric: "The crowd just seemed to multiply." For the punk or the new waver in you, the Faint pulls your heartstrings and leaves you wanting more.
DAVID KILGOUR Cracks In The Sidewalk CDEP
(Arclife)
File Under: David Kilgour / The Clean / NZ Music
ARC017
"For me writing music is like pulling something indefinable out of the air.” David Kilgour
This outlook is certainly backed-up by David’s ability to pen friendly & engaging pop songs that can send you afloat or alternately bring back to earth. With the help of his mates (um that would be the Clean), He has inspired many of the most influential in the Indie-rock scene (Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Dinosaur Jr, Guided by Voices, Built to Spill, etc). And there are those that consider his work to be akin to that of Lou Reed and Moby Grape’s Skip Spence. With Cracks In The Sidewalk Arclife have released a kind of addendum to David Kilgour's earlier demos collection First Steps & False Alarms (Ajax Records ’95) Cracks in the Sidewalk compiles seven rough four- and eight-track recordings made between 1993 and 1998. The opening I Lost My Train is the demo of the album version found on the excellent Feather in the Engine (ARC016). A stunning and essential companion piece to Feathers In The Engine and the just released Clean Anthology (FMR). Recommended.
DANNY KRIVIT Expansions Nite:Life 11 2CD/4x12"
(NRK Sound Division)
File Under: Danny Krivit / House / NRK / Nite:Life
NRKMX011/VNRKMX011
New York legend Danny Krivit presents a double mix CD that spans three decades, countless continents and many different genres. Latin rhythms glide with classic house tracks for that unmistakable Body & Soul vibe. Danny spent most of the 1970’s spinning the hot records of the time in his parents’ night-spot, and would spend time at the Paradise Garage, avidly roller-skating round the dancefloor as Levan span the latest platters. Krivit’s DJ career meanwhile grew steadily to encompass influential clubs such as The Roxy, Danceateria, The Limelite, Save The Robots and many many more. Naturally, the joy of spinning records in night-spots gave Danny a craving to enter the recording studio, spending the liberating 80’s era working on tracks featuring James Brown, Gloria Gaynor and Visage and a whole host of others. Danny has since gone on to edit, produce and mix a plethora of material. In 1996, he teamed up with long time associates and Body & Soul founders, François K and Joe Claussell, and has since spun every Sunday at this revered NYC party. Expansions is an awesome ride through moods, rhythms, instrumentations, chords, vocals, memories and much much more. This expansive double CD mix opens up with the lush orchestration of Mas Fuerte Que El Sol and soon takes us on a jaunt through house musics’ past with MK’s mix of Happy Heads and 808 State’s classic Pacific State. The very heart of New York is represented by players such as Dennis Ferrer, Kerri Chandler and Blaze whilst European ‘click house’ gets a look in with Germany’s Needs and France’s Klubfilter taking their cues from Giorigio Moroder. The sounds of now are represented by Ernest Saint Laurent’s spooky Clumsey Lobster and Octave One’s jackin’ Blackwater. As you’d expect from a man of Danny’s calibre and the ever consistant Nite:Life series and NRK this is a must have. Essential!
VARIOUS Splinter 5 2CD/2x12"
(Paperecordings)
File Under:
PAPCD017/VPAPLP017
The fifth instalment in this winning series from Paper Recordings features nothing but the finest forward-thinking house music. As with some of the previous versions Splinter 5 comes with a added CD mixed by label co-owner and Reset member Elliot Eastwick, who will be in New Zealand to celebrate the release of this damn fine compilation during November. Featuring Harlem Zip Code’s I Feel Music which was a major club/dance friendly radio hit here last summer as with as tracks coming from Dealers Choice, Crazy Penis, Reset, Keyboy, The New Alarmists, Tony Senghore and more. Not much more to say really - an exceptional compilation from one of the best labels in it's field. Miss it and weep….
THE EDDIE RAYNER PROJECT Play It Straight CD
(G-Tone)
File Under: NZ Music / Eddie Raynor
GTCD101
"This CD is dedicated to those musicians, composers and songwriters, who, without significant recognition or reward continue to create and contribute to the wonderful legacy of New Zealand music."
Eddie Rayner (ex Split Enz keyboard wizard) delivers the album of his career. Eddie has assembled some NZ’s top vocal and instrumental talent to perform a selection of his favourite songs. Quality Pop music for adults. Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. These are some of Eddie’s favourite NZ-penned songs. Some are oldies from the sixties and seventies, along with some new ones that have never been recorded before. There’s a Phil Judd song (Play It Straight) given the treatment by Annie Crummer. Alistair Riddell (Space Waltz) and Maurice Greer (Human Instinct) show that they haven’t lost their ever youthful vocal talents. Queenstown’s own Jesse Coutts does a heart-stopping version of Chris Knox’s APRA Silver Scroll Award-winning song My Only Friend. Newcomer Chris Melville and jazz/blues singer Caitlin Smith completes the vocal team. Backing vocals include Debbie Harwood with her "When the Cats Away" teamster Annie Crummer. Featured musicians include Michael Barker (drums), Brendan Power (Harmonica), Joel Haines (guitar) and string players from the Auckland Philharmonia. An album of true New Zealand gems from an artist whose contribution to our music scene is the true stuff of legend, Eddie Raynor is one of our most talented musicians as his story attests, with Play It Straight Eddie and friends show that true talent just gets better with time. Reclaim your stereo from the kids and play it straight!
VARIOUS Subliminal Live at Pacha 3CD
(Subliminal Records)
File Under: dance / subliminal
SUBUSCD34313
Subliminal Records has teamed up with the Number One dance club in the world Pacha, Ibiza and put together one of the finest compilations of 2002. Returning to the decks from the Subliminal camp are Jose Nunez and Harry ‘Choo Choo’ Romero. Responsible for the world famous ‘Subliminal Sound’, voted best independent House label in 1999 and 2000 by Muzik Magazine, and best 12" label by Mixer Magazine in 2001, Subliminal continues to go from strength to strength in the compilation market with the latest addition to their arsenal Subliminal Live at Pacha, Ibiza 2002 mixed by Jose Nunez and Harry ‘Choo Choo’ Romero. Both Subliminal and Pacha, still riding high from last years accolade of best Ibiza Party at the 2001 Muzik awards and nominated again this year for best international party, have come together to give the world a taste of what the hype is all about. This great package contains two mix CDs, one each from Jose Nunez and one from Harry Choo Choo Romero, featuring tracks from Mr Hermano, Junior Jack, Derrick Carter, Thick Dick, FC Kahuna, Sebastien Leger, Bob Sinclair and heaps more. Plus the third disc is a bonus DVD which has exclusive interviews with Errick Morillo, Jose Nunez and Harry Romero, along with footage of a single night at Pacha.
VARIOUS Electric Calm CD
(Global Underground)
File Under: Global Underground / Chillout
GUQC001CD
Call it chillout, call it ambient, call it what you like
This album is a great compilation of both old and new releases on Global Underground's soon to be re-launched Quad Communications and Coded labels. Compiled and Mixed by The Forth, who is responsible for all of the Global Underground Destinations, Arrivals, and Locations mixes. It isn’t your typical run of the mill cheesy 'chill-out' album, but a series of warming tracks that can be classified as ambient, chill-out, relaxing, etc. It starts off with some very atmospheric noises and the first track, 'Time On My Hands' by Soku feat. Jess Okoro does nothing but set the awesome stage for this ear pleasing compilation which also includes tracks by Bluefish, Pako & Frederik, Digital monkeys, Pink Bomb, Traffik, The Forth and more. When it comes down to it, this is something for everyone. Why? Because there is always that moment in the darkest coldest of winter seasons, those beautiful summer sunsets, at your relaxing pre-event setting, in the car on that long drive to wherever, in the aftermath a huge night out, whatever - this album is just perfectly fitting to those occasions when you need something that isn’t demanding to listen too, that doesn’t
PLAYGROUP Party Mix Volume 1 CD
(Playgroup)
File Under: Playgroup
PGCDPM1
The ultimate party mix? Trevor 'Playgroup' Jackson concocted this mind-blowing mix of 80's electronica, slamming over 200 classic tracks into a one hour set!!! From early hip-hop to disco to new wave, this onslaught of retro jams will take you back in time and keep you captivated till the end. This limited edition CD was originally circulated to a selected few last year and received a huge response, ending up appearing in DJ Hell's play list as well as ours. Definitely one for fans of 2 MANY DJs (PIASB065CD). The ultimate partymix? Tracks disappear so quick you're left thinking I'm sure I know that one before the next one takes your attention away. GET THIS! Features tracks (or at least the most memorable parts of the tracks) from Kraftwerk, Blondie, Sugar Hill Gang, Art Of Noise, New Order, The Clash, Laidback, Prince, Dominatrix, Tom Tom Club, Ymo, George Clinton, Herbie Hancock, Kurtis Blow, Spandau Ballet, Rolling Stones, Rsw, Human League, B-52s, Acr, Steinski, Talking Heads, Scritti Politti, Spoonie Gee, Double Trouble, Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five, Yazzoo and hundreds more (literally)! You need to hear this to believe it! If you don’t have a sense of humour then this will not appeal. Completely mad!
VARIOUS Glasgow Underground 5 2CD/2X12"
(Glasgow Underground)
File Under: Glasgow Underground / dance
GUCD032/VGULP032
"Fine funky fodder" – 4.5/5 DJ
"It may not trouble the charts but then good music seldom does. If you like it layered, sexy, sophisticated and with vocals, Glasgow’s the place to be" – 3/5 Muzik
"This compilation series has settled into a nice groove now… Good stuff from the Scots." Remix
Glasgow Underground Volume Five continues the labels tradition of releasing their yearly round-ups over two CDs. It hardly seems like 5 years ago that Studio Blue’s deep floor-warmer Just a Mood kick-started Glasgow Underground’s mission to work house magic on the dance floor and cast long-playing spells for post-clubbing moments. Since then Glasgow Underground has released productions and remixes from Romanthony, DJ Q, Freeform Five, Idjut Boys, Mateo & Matos, Ashley Beedle, DJ Sneak, KOT, Ian Pooley and Larry Heard. Hardly a stone has been left unturned in their search for silky soundscapes. The first CD is a collection of chilled and funky cuts that comes across like one of Naked Music’s Carte Blanche compilations. Highlights include DJ Q’s mid-tempo live jam (complete with the finest bassline to appear out of Glasgow in a long time), Cinephile’s spacey Wasted, Jersey Street’s Latin swirl Travelled The World and C Pen’s jazzual Silver Surfer. In all this is a perfect collection for lazy Sunday afternoons or smoky, clubbing after parties. CD two features the best of GU’s 12" output mixed by label owner Kevin McKay. From the French fired funk of Pascal & Mister Day’s Salvation to the driving techtronics of Milton Jackson’s Dimensional McKay builds a solid house groove. Tracks to check are Romanthony’s extended paean to the dancefloor Floorpiece as well as Powder Productions’ tribal mix of Linus Loves’ Body & Soul and DJ Q’s Rhodes jam Over U Now. Five years young and sounding better than ever. Highly recommended.
in music releases are available at all good record stores nation-wide