As usual, this duo reveals more tricks of the trade with yet another fine studio creation. This two-record set begins with a soothing intro that samples an old-school R&B love song, followed by jack-hammer pounding tunes that will suddenly hit hard and charge you like a shot of espresso. Totally wild, totally spaced out, totally Space DJz.
CZR Release (Joey Beltram Remix)
When I listened to this record I thought to myself, “Man, Joey snapped!” On the flipside to the super original by top Chicago producer CZR, Beltram goes ballistic with a track full of explosive driving bass and piercing stabs.
Kiko Man E, F, G & H
Michigan-based producer Kiko Man serves up earthquaking low-end, thrusting synth sounds and a proper kick on this delicious dancefloor techno record.
Universal Funk Streets of Havana
Denmark’s premier nu-jazz/Latin band delivers some tight Cuban house (think Matt Bianco in Colombia) whilst Swell Sessions’s version drops it deeper courtesy of girlfriend Elsa’s vocals. Meanwhile, new track “Four To Five” changes from cosmic jazz midway into deep rolling hip-hop…nice…
Various Artists The Discerning Dancefloor Vol. 2
The second in the series from DJ Nick Name, this supplies its title’s target well, this time with help from the US via Organic Grooves, DJ Angola, and Bolliger and Gloor. Four classy organic midtempo Afro/Latino cuts, good for any dancefloor.
Metro Area Orange Alert (DFA Remix)
An electronic disco beauty given the remix treatment courtesy of DFA, the production genius behind LCD Soundsystem and The Rapture. The result: hypnotic disco trash funk with relentless tight-ass drums. Includes the stupendous album cut “Dance Reaction” on the flip.
Ron Carroll Natural
One of Chicago’s pioneers reaffirms his vocal and production prowess on this smooth yet emotive slab. Shimmering keys, jabbing synths and a plaintive piano melody highlight the gospel-tinged original, while fellow Chi-boys Blakbeatniks remix the whole mess to edgier, more epic heights. Of course, Carroll’s brazenly classic vocals make this fundamentally good-good.
Osunlade Feat. Jaffa Native Tongue Revisited
New York Afro-house kingpin Osunlade and Montreal keyboard monster David Kakon go take-two on the first release for Osunlade’s Yoruba label, with solid results. A warm, sloshy-but-tight horn section leads a sax and some boompty percussion through the original, while Nick Holder’s remix takes it to minimal-loop paradise. Nifty and knockin’.
Mutron Hsart EP
Tokyo-based machine-man Mutron tosses around three twisty, catchy tributes to sci-fi trash culture. These lo-fi beat meanderings-from the anthemic Dr. Who damage of “Rotten Zipangu” to the theremin freak-out of “Foolish Dance” and the chiming ’80s-era robotic repetition of “Dotism”-outline less a style than an imposed retro-futurism.
Karltone & Stephanie B Space 80 EP
Go ahead and do that ’80s thing, but keep those annoying, faux-alienated vocals out of the damn mix. This French duo offers three tracks that illustrate two distinct ways to decorate a 4/4 machine beat: either make it cavernously abstract or simply melodic. Tasty bits from today’s future-past.
