DJ Garth has that West Coast/London blend of percussion and precision that is as unique as it is energetic. His disco-tech contains “Boogie Oogie Oogie”-like basslines, garage divas and drum sequences that vary from fast and loose to tightly-knit-and it’s all flawlessly blended. Revolutions presents Grayhound signees (Joshua Collins, Stranger, Ambusher) and some of Garth’s new and rare material, including a remix of his Wicked Crew single, “Twenty Minutes of Disco Glory,” that has more cowbell then any Full Moon party needs.
Various Artists Club Sodade
If Yoko Ono is any example, it’s chic to embrace your inner superstar in one’s golden years. 63-year-old Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Evora is renowned for blending the sounds of traditional Portuguese, Afro-Brazilian and Cuban folk music-a sound that French lounge DJ/producer Gilb’r decided to modernize by inviting electronic heavyweights in for remix duties. The reworkings here are actually quite minimal, and Evora’s melancholy, velvety tones lend themselves as easily to ambient touches (Carl Craig’s “Angola”) as percussive house beats (Francois K’s exuberant and masterful “Sangue De Beirona”). Club Sodade is a sophisticated way to expand your electronic horizons, and add some spice to your downtempo CD collection.
Various Artists Ori[Jah]Nal Selector
Just in time for summer, the Smugg label gives its catalog of solid reggae tracks over to electronic remixers, who generally use a light touch to subtly stretch the songs rather than radically restructure them. Palmskin Productions’ Simon Richmond revisits the flavor of his early ’90s productions for Mo’ Wax on the rolling groove of Lexus’ “Ethiopian.” Freerange staple Shur-I-Khan restrains his complex broken drum programming, but reserves bounce and richness for his version of Frankie Paul’s “Great Things.” One of the bolder reworkings comes courtesy of the Smugg Brothers, whose swirling keys and subtle breakbeats kick up Alton Ellis’ “Loneliness.” If you’re searching for an aural accompaniment to recent heatwaves, Ori[jah]nal Selector will come in handy-its modern-yet-mellow spin on reggae perfectly pairs with a Red Stripe and a porch.
Various Artists DJ Qool Marv’s Grand Central Translation
Now here’s a mix! You can’t test the credentials of New York’s DJ Qool Marv, and when you multiply his subtle, but razor-sharp, deck technique by his judicious selection of tracks from Grand Central’s catalog, you get a record that stands well above most label compilations. There are a few missteps (some of the MCing and shouts out to Marv bog things down a bit) but they’re overshadowed by inspired mixes; the blending of the Lightening Head remix of Mark Rae’s “Candystripe” with a quick slice of “Stomp” from The Nudge and the mix between another Mark Rae track and Only Child’s sweet, uptempo “Show Me Love” are notable. Grand Central Translation is a necessary item for DJ’s who think it’s just about matching BPM’s.
Various Artists Blue Note Revisited
With producers from J Dilla to Madlib to 4hero to Herbert, this compilation could have easily been a stylistic train wreck-but somehow it works, and quite brilliantly in fact. Kyoto Jazz Massive goes for a typically broken, space jazz trip on Eddie Henderson’s “Kudu,” while DJ Spinna takes an appropriately laidback, cruising-with-the-top-down approach to remixing Donald Byrd. Not every new version is perfect (Herbert hijacks Michel Petrucciani into a stuttering mess) but no matter the genre, the fit between most of these dance jazz modernists and their forebears is fortuitous.
Various Artists Kon and Amir: The Cleaning
Nostalgia numbers are the here-and-now. In other words, you could play Kon and Amir’s The Cleaning at any party and have everyone feeling the groove. Of course, you’d need to put up with a few knuckleheads asking how-or by what reverse time-travel scheme-’70s musicians like James Mason managed to filch samples from De La Soul and render them as full-fledged funk joints (“Sweet Power”). The Cleaning is a product of many long hours spent painstakingly dissecting breaks, combing through record collections, and matching two-second soundbites with their original tunes-and that’s why Kon and Amir should get their propers.
Various Artists Deep And Sexy 3
The third Deep and Sexy installment from the sages of soulful house, Wave Music, welcomes Matty Heilbronn to the decks, and he delivers a sultry and expressive ride worth every drop of sweat. Garage-driven, but not cheesy, this consistently inspirational mix features familiars from Tom & Joyce, Infinite and ChiChi Peralta, as well as unreleased gems by Sarah Devine, Eric Kupper, and Heilbronn himself. If you want to hear how a New York legend massages house music, or want to get a feeling for the best and brightest producing today, you should put away your aerobics videos and run with this.
Various Artists Flava/Project X
From the important Stateside dancehall mecca of Jamaica Queens, New York, comes the Lady G-produced Flava riddim and Shaggy cohort Phillip Smart’s Project X. Both installments solidify dancehall’s control over all things innovative, electronic and new jack, while delivering heavy-hitting toasting from Sizzla, Vybz Cartel, Capleton, Bounty Killer and Lady Saw, among others. Watch the females on Flava, as Lady G, Lady Saw, and Macka Diamond come correct like jewels on the mic, and General B slams a flow that’s sure to move heads on “No Punch Lines.” Meanwhile, Mad Anju and Capleton up the ante on Project X. These releases set up what will surely be another explosive and remarkable year for dancehall.
Various Artists 720 Revolution: Mixed By Blame
Definitely one of the most cutting-edge producers in the drum & bass scene, Blame has become synonymous with leftfield-leaning dancefloor numbers that trump the genre’s notoriously rigid fare. 720 Revolution pieces together the best tracks from Blame’s 720 Degrees imprint into a continuous mix that should win some converts to his swirling and intricate sound. Equal parts techno, drum & bass, jazz and futuristic sci-fi funk, 720 Revolution is required listening for those who gravitate towards the more progressive side of the dancefloor.
Various Artists Exercise.003: Klute
By all accounts, London-based American producer Klute’s cheekily titled imprint Commercial Suicide has been anything but a suicidal venture. Rather, Klute’s ability to bring together the very best of a wide range of drum & bass artists from around the world has helped push the imprint to elite status. Mixing up a proper selection of past, present and future releases, this mix CD (released as What Price Will You Pay? in the UK) contains top-notch contributions from artists like Hive, John Tejada, Amit, Concord Dawn and Zero Tolerance. Klute proves able to represent heavier, more complex vibes alongside straight rinse-out killers, a quality that will steer the label further into essential territory.
