June 1999Whether or not you attend the Winter Music Conference everyone anticipates the release of those "big tracks" that are timed to break in Miami. But why can't the actual releases be timed a little better? Yes, we all understand the momentum given by the hype of a slight delay in a release, but after three or four months everyone's memories start to fade. PETE HELLER's (of Boy's Own Farley & Heller) "Big Love" featuring the vocal styling of OCTAHVIA LAMBERTIS was one of the first out of the box. Essential Recordings/JBO (UK) put the track out first (on promo), with "Atlanta" on the flip -- don't overlook this tasty UK offering. This b-side is being caned as much as "Big Love." Subliminal releases "Big Love" domestically with a "dubby" remix by The Dronez, an a cappella, as well as the very phat original. Everyone will submit to this club stormer, with layer upon layer building up to an ultimate climax. JOSE NUNEZ (again) featuring OCTAHVIA offers up a double pack of gems with "Hold On," also on Subliminal. Here's a case where I have to agree with the label hype sheet, "this is enough to send you into a 45 minute Octahvia mega mix, so hold on." Start off with the "Jazz-N-Groove Nu Disco" (aka Brian Tappert & Marc Pomeroy) mix that slides you into the infectious meat & potatoes of this track. All of Octahvia's luscious vocals are beautifully intact and pushed up front. You could then ease into the "Jazz-N-Groove Prime Dub," which punches up the energy and intersperses the vocals within the folds of the very catchy rhythm and melody. The Jose's 2000 Vocal Mix could come next, stripped down and ready for the peak hour. This mix accentuates the track's very funky guitar work and keyboard noodling. Wrap it up with The Dronez Dub (aka Nunez, Romero & Morillo the Subliminal possé); this is the track to drive the crowds crazy with nicely layered builds and punched-up keyboard stabs. FULL INTENTION presents THE RULE "I Need Your Love (Body Music)" on Subliminal wraps up this heavy hitting trio from the label. Full Intention have been putting out some rather substantial releases lately, veering away from their tried and true punchy disco formulas. "I Need Your Love" is a juicy cut 'n' paste affair with great attention to hooky, classic house piano chords, catchy vocal stabs (Ernestine Pearce) of the title and a demanding straightforward pulse. Full Intention also had one of the WMC buzz tracks with their homage to "TEARS '99" by SATOSHI TOMEII, FRANKIE KNUCKLES, and featuring ROBERT OWENS' perfect vocals. This classic of classics has been treated with the regard it rightfully deserves. In fact it will have many wondering what they did, because of the sensitivity dealt with on this '99 update. Long out of print, this jewel will certainly make another huge impact when it finally emerges from the acetate-only realm. MARY J BLIGE "Beautiful" is out on white label and was also a major player at the conference and everywhere else. This track was pulled from the soundtrack of "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and rumor has it was turned out by a certain "boy in the basement." "Beautiful" is an essential crossover nugget. Every sort of DJ, pop to techno, has picked up this great track. Three essential dubs included with the exquisite vocal would explain the added interest. Two of them complement the vocal, but the third pushes into the afterhours realm with powerful, sparse and spacey elements. This could certainly be deemed one of her best performances. Another underground vocal selection that fried them in FLA was "Rescue Me" by the SUNKIDS featuring CHANCE on Yelloworange with post-production by club mavens Masters at Work at their best. It has been virtually impossible for any club DJ to ignore the quality of this budding label's initial releases and this one is equal to, if not better than, its forerunners. The Sunkids (aka Deep Swing is Erik Wikman and James Donaldson) have been working together about five years and received a big push with last year's "I Am Somebody" by A7. "Rescue Me" stays within the urbane boundaries Yelloworange has created but has a radiant charm that easily excels. Live horns, guitar and bass establish a basic "warmhearted appeal" without concessions to the pop world. This track is all about Chance. There will be many undeniable comparisons made, most leaning to Aretha Franklin, but Chance has a youthful exuberance that will easily surpass any comparison. The BASEMENT JAXX, Felix Burton and Simon Ratcliffe, "Red Alert" on UK's Atlantic Jaxx/XL label is the first official single pulled from their highly anticipated full-length debut "Remedy." These guys are methodically working at breaking the prevailing formulas of club music and isn't it about time. When you first drop your needle on "Red Alert" you will immediately grasp its compelling uniqueness. This isn't due to the use of some new technology or genre, but rather to the novel use of the established old school. The listener's chain is first yanked by an imposing but palatable, crisp and crunchy bassline that sounds like the slapping of a P-Funky, electric bass guitar. The vocals of Blue are inspiring with her repeated refrains of "red alert, red alert ... don't worry, don't panic ... ain't nothin' goin' on but history ... and the music keeps on playin' on and on," -- be prepared for this new club mantra. There are elements of toasty ragga, soulful house, and electric rock homogenized into this daring, new sound of the Basement Jaxx. The boys' own Jaxx Club mix is the most compelling, there is also a stripped down dub turned in by the very busy Eric Morillo with Harry Romero and the two-step, house version by Steve Gurley. New label, STYLE CITY RECORDS out of New Jersey (201-387-6657) will certainly be one to watch in the coming year. André Prioleau, label head, is doing it all and doing it quite well. He had his first release out last spring and has just released two new EPs, "Journey to Oberon" and "Return to Earth." Both EPs have a New Jersey meets West Coast feel to them, with a divergent combination of garage, techno, tech-house and a touch of acid for extra flavor. "Groove to Swing" and "The Landing" are key tracks on "Journey to Oberon." From "Return to Earth" check out "Under the Tunnel" and the delicious vocal cut & paste styling on "Live at Nel's." "TELEX -I STILL DON'T LIKE MUSIC REMIXES VOLUME 2" is out on Belgium label SSR. This is a gratifying follow-up to the first installment with an assortment of nuggets from Telex reworked once again with innovation propelled by devotion and respect. There is the anticipated appearance of "Rock around the Clock" beautifully rendered by Buckfunk 3000. The themes are intact from the original coupled with a 90s electro-techy, disco attitude. Telex used every sort of vocal processors on the original versions of their songs, making most of the essential elements very current by today's standards. Ian Pooley takes charge of the pearl "Dance to the Music" and manages a nice twist pushing the vocoder and electro aspects to a pleasing extreme. "Brainwash" is appropriately taken on by two techno legends Juan Atkins and Eddie "Flashin" Fowlkes. Fowlkes' mix is a straightforward, tribal version with vocals intact and synthesizers devotedly emphasized. Juan Atkins takes an entirely out-of-character approach, very dreamy and very down-tempo. "Spike Jones" is a break-beat, bass confection. DJ D turns "Tour De France" skillfully around with a punchy house vibe, again accentuating the groovy sound effects. On the CD-only Seven Dub does a finely crafted down-tempo version that could have been on their own album. Very refined. Watch for this trio of gems from IRMA, Italy. JEROME VAN ROSSUM featuring PAULA RALPH "Nublado" is released with the New York Remixes. This is sumptuous, club music with cool xylophone, jazzy guitar, and Ralph's scat styling. ACOUSTIC FOOD (M. Zini) "Lub Club" is a galloping disco piece with cleverly phased funky guitar and precise piano stabs. JESTOFUNK featuring CE CE ROGERS "Happy" gets a new lease with a heavy duty workover by BOB SINCLAR. Sinclar applies his impeccable styling with the emphasis on the rhythm and those phat basslines. E.B.E. stands for Extraterrestrial, Biology, Entity; this seems appropriate when you know that this is the Bay Area's own Lucas Rodenbush. "Synaptic Flow" is his first release for the UK's Soma label. This four-track EP reveals a new level of refinement to his work. All four tracks have a surprisingly mellow vibe (for E.B.E.), but he still retains an energy and drive via the overall techy approach. It is always a treat to hear him incorporate so much of the 80s without becoming cheesy. MIQUEL "MIGS" is a San Francisco DJ/Producer/Remixer that everyone should keep their eye on. He has done some exquisite work with Naked Music and Transport. His first release as artist is "The Roundtrip EP" on Transport and it pays off with an impressive variety within the four tracks. There are two groovy disco cut-ups, a latin-flavored vocal outing, and last of all, a thick & rich groove. Check this guy out; you will not be disappointed with this extremely versatile and workable release. CIRRUS once again retain the talents of our own DJ Dan to rework "Stop and Panic" on Moonshine. DJ Dan is the man lately and his mix "rages" with his signature hard edge and at the same time "works it" with his new "Needle Damage" trippy/funky technique. Essential hard house! COZY CREATURES return with "Espionage" on Push and Pull (UK). This track has three mixes, all are on the tech-house tip, but bust the normal boundaries with psycho-synth effects and soulful basslines that create a trippy and very sexy groove. The Pussy Galore Mix (JT Donaldson & Agent 99) stands out, but the original and Jori Hulkkonen are note worthy. TALVIN SINGH returns with "Vikrim the Vampire" on Island UK. This is a major collaboration with Francoise K that will be one for the late night, big systems. The main mix is a dark journey through dark and exotic places. There are inviting tablas and "percolating" effects that precede powerfully driven basslines layering and building to monstrous peaks. Bottom-heavy vocals add to the over-all tribal feel with numerous effects, clangs and vibe-y chords wrapping up a first rate package. SUNSHINE FUNK "Lemon" on Sunfunk from France mark the return of French house funksters, David Chong and Bruce Keen. This is totally infectious & pushy, not your typical French offering. This track is very progressive, and at the same time extremely swinging and groovy with warped filtered keyboards and vocal stabs from an ever so soulful "sista" gettin' down. Two beautiful pieces to wind up with are ATJAZZ "Fifth Quarter" on Mantis UK and DELERIUM featuring SARAH MCLACHLAN "Silence" on Nettwerk Canada. Atjazz follow their successful "Wind & Sea" with the equally lovely and jazzy "Fifth Quarter." Velvet-y smooth deepness is punctuated by very crisp percussion that keeps this track from ever becoming sleepy. The Presence (Charles Webster) mix surprisingly grunges it up a bit and gives it a slight kick in the butt. FADE (Chris Fortier & Neil Colo) mixes "Silence" by Delerium into an eleven minute lush epic that never resorts to the obvious. Sarah's sensitive and engaging vocals are tastefully placed. The breakdowns are timed precisely so the energy is never compromised. This will certainly be championed by the "circuit boys," but would neatly complete any progressive set. Send review material to: |