Nurtured in the Kompakt garden over the course of the last three years, Mikkel Meldgaard’s sound has blossomed into a stunning hybrid, taking root in fresh, fertile ground. Three tracks from prior Kompakt releases (“Hemper,” “Dorant,” “Kaluga”) are nestled perfectly among seven factory-sealed newies on Victimizer, which demonstrates Mikkel’s enlightened application of the dub aesthetic in balance with elements of techno, organic ambient, and subtle pop. Whether navigating the minimalist 4/4 structures of tracks like “Microho” or the submerged schaffels of “Victimizer,” his command of the soundscape is impressive. The overall tone of the album rides deep and dark, grounded with gritty bottom-end and a softly charred veneer as languid vocoders, rubbery reverb activity, and weightless, distant chords converge in a variety of blissful, deep-sea dances. Victimizer has found a beautiful little patch of gray area to call its own.
Various Artists min2MAX
Following last year’s Minimize to Maximize compilation, the subtractive force of Richie Hawtin’s Minus label is captured once again with another first-rate selection. Label veterans Magda and Niederflur are joined by new recruits like Gaiser, Troy Pierce, Marc Houle, and Berg Nixon to drop a dozen highly polished minimal-tech biscuits that snap, crackle, and pump the way they damn well better. Heartthrob gets A1 placement for his peak-hour floor-wrecker “Baby Kate,” and guest appearances from Loco Dice and Wink, plus some tidy graphic design from Matthew Hawtin, round off another essential Minus fat-pack.
Baby Dayliner Critics Pass Away
In a just world, Baby Dayliner would be an icon in the new wave of crooner-inspired pop acts, proudly adorning shiny shirts and dreaming of headlining Radio City. As that’s clearly not going to happen soon, we’ll have to be content with Critics Pass Away, his near-perfect second album. Equal parts Morrissey, Gainsbourg, Adam Ant, and Manilow-for real-BD (a.k.a. Ethan Marunas) invites you to his electro-pop lounge act where piano-tickling and jazz standards are flung out the window, and samplers and drum machines prevail. Upbeat tracks like the opener “At Least” delightfully romp on the border of Vegas-style cheese without ever sounding trite or contrived. Baby Dayliner is the white, bequiffed, male vocalist brilliantly repackaged for the iTunes generation, and even when the LP loses a little steam (near the mid-album “Breezy”) you’ll be so busy bopping that you’ll hardly notice.
Various Artists Roots Tonic A Lead
This two-riddim compilation features new and previously released tracks from Sizzla, Lady Saw, Luciano, and Junior Kelly. More than half the songs are based on 2004’s Leader riddim while the remaining ones coast on the Roots Tonic riddim. The highlight of the album is Lady Saw’s Leader-based “Too Abusive,” a tale told from the perspective of a battered woman who finally finds the strength to leave her abuser. Full of tracks to dance or sit back and chill to, this album is a must-buy.
Visioneers Dirty Old Hip Hop
On Dirty Old Hip Hop, Marc Mac, one half of 4 Hero, presents himself in his Visioneers studio guise. Comprised of seamlessly blended hip-hop and jazzsounds, Dirty Old Hip Hop bridges the gap between generations. Warning: Your parents might dig this one as much as you do. This is a multi-function album that can lull you to sleep or provide the soundtrack for a night out. Every track is enjoyable but the standout is the Visioneers’ version of The Pharcyde classic “Runnin,” an uptempo string- and drum-heavy track with a smoothed out vocal that beautifully reminds that you “Can’t keep runnin’ awaayyaayyaa.”
Marky & Bungle No Time 2 Love
These two guys can do no wrong right now! Been feeling a lot of the guys’ stuff of late and this is one that hasn’t left our box for a while. It builds nice and smooth, keeping you on the boil before dropping that classic “Alien Girl”-style riff! It keeps going in that vein until just over halfway through, then they twist it up again with a different, more musical drop with a wicked vocal hook. Classic tune already!
Hazard Talk Like a Girl
Quite a few True Playaz/Ganja tunes in the box at the mo’ but this is our pick of the bunch. Always love the way Hazard keeps it simple but effective-moody style intro with little kung fu-style samples flicking in and out, and then the classic Hazard drop. A great DJ tool which works the dancefloor nicely!
Gridlok Wake Up
Another slice of tech-funk from Gridlok. A wicked, b-boy style intro with half-speed breaks and orchestral stabs that break down into moody strings. In comes this sick stab, and then the show begins with an almighty wallop of a drop! We’ve been loving Gridlok’s tunes for a while and the guy seems to get better and better. Fave tune at the mo’!
Various Artists Dieselboy Presents The Human Resource
When Dieselboy debuted his Human imprint in 2002, it soon became apparent that the project was much more than the throwaway vanity label that some might have expected. Instead, its futuristic aesthetic and consistent output helped push domestic drum & bass to the point where it could stand toe-to-toe with the UK’s finest. Collecting Human‘s output so far, The Human Resource does a fine job of combining the best of the label’s impressive back catalog with newly minted remixes. A bonus mix CD, compiled by Atlanta’s Evol Intent, nicely completes the package, but be warned: Fans of light and fluffy D&B should look elsewhere. This one’s for those who like their beats dark and destructive.
Rasiyah U Better Run
This UK soul sister will make your head bob and your feet move for the ’06. Mark de Clive Lowe provides his downtempo soul sound that will have Rasiyah easily pulling forward from her contemporaries Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. Her LP, dropping later this year, will be a must have for any neo-soul fan.
