August 1999Essential Recordings from the UK came out fighting strong with Heller's "Big Love" and it hasn't taken a fall yet! (LOVE) TATTOO's "History Of Disco" is their strongest release to date. Presented in "Part 1" and "Part 2" both tracks are strong and distinct. "Part 2," subtitled "Oh, I Love Your Disco," is on side A and is a sexy late-nighter with many familiar, yet not over-used samples, and strumming guitar. Sandee's "Notice Me" is more than coyly used throughout being the exception. Late in the track there is a sexually provocative vocal breakdown that leads into a percussive, almost batucada extended outro. "Part 1," subtitled "Let's Have Some Fun," is rousing, grindy tribal, peak hour fare. The listener is literally immersed in intense classic cow bells and rubbery, funky basslines, twisted guitar riffs, and vocal snippets of the title from beginning to end. It's a full-on work out and a must. "Mantra" by QUAKE is a another great new track on Essential and is a departure into break-y trance territory with stringy chords and soaring female vocals. Low Pressings (UK) is another label that has yet to drop the ball; D REN 1 "Bless The Funk" is their latest release and once again proves their excellence. Peace Division and Problem Kidz each serve up their own delicious serving of "Bless The Funk." The Problem Kidz take it on a pleasing funk-trance journey while keeping a noodling, funky little guitar bit that worms its way into your brain. There's a sexy female vocal sample of "I've seen the world, uh huh..." that tugs at you throughout. Peace Division goes even deeper, chucking most of the obvious funky elements, working around the funky, vibe-y bassline, twisted keyboards, and chopping up the vocal samples till they aren't just sexy but moan. An immediate late night classic. While we're in late night mode pick up the new mix (the 4th I believe) of SOULSEARCHER "Can't Get Enough" by Tom Novy & Pufo on Defected Germany. This mix redefines this classic with energized peak hour trance effects never losing the "party" flavor. Working into this set nicely would be the TIMEWRITER mix of diva LYDIA RHODES' "UNTIL THE MOMENT," produced by Jahkey B. on Liquid Groove. Timewriter comes through with a sophisticated and highly polished, dreamy tech-houser that could define any DJs thoughtfully constructed set. The WAMDUE PROJECT turns in a dark and hypnotically funky mix that could work earlier in the evening. The "Original" mix and one from Konrad Carelli (aka Manchild) present more familiar house versions. Then it's time to beautifully wind down with "Future Love" the newest track pulled from "All Systems Gone" by PRESENCE on Pagan UK. Charles Webster can do no wrong from producing, writing, remixing, to picking remixers, and he even creates stunning photography for his covers. "Future Love" is one of the highlights from his album and has two excellent remixes, one by man-of-the-hour Pete Heller and the other by Webster's guise as Love From San Francisco. The L.F.S.F. Mix brings full respect to Steve Edwards' soulful vocals that are wrapped around the beautifully moody, yet romantic lyrics. Heller downplays the almost melancholy keyboards on his mix, but they appear in full glory on Webster's mix. These keyboards work in perfect tandem with Edwards' vocals to interpret the song as originally intended. Heller pulls the song into peak time with more fully realized bass and punched-up percussion with a light twist to the rhythm pattern. If you are curious about the origin of Heller's "Big Love" try and find the new JOEY NEGRO PRESENTS "Wear It Out" by STARGARD on Sore Booty Records UK. It's presented as a "Re-Edit" and it is very true to the original, ie: very analog and 70s. The bassline and percussion is enhanced with a few minor effects delicately placed. It's always best to keep in touch with the basics. Lately there have been a good number of artists that have taken a novel approach to the structure of their house tracks. HIPPIES USE THE SIDE DOOR's EP on Wall Of Sound UK has to be the label's full-on house track albeit an odd one. Not quite the usual progressive gear it falls into a funkier, quirky Leftfield or Underworld dub range, something for those of us who keep their ear out for the atypical. The UK label Edge has had thirty-four solid releases with only slight deviations from the techno energy genre that they've more than perfected. EDGE 35 "Trumpet Man vs Cotton Belly EP" on Edge UK takes a most welcome, well-executed turn to a divergent approach in structure. Mathewman actually presents four different but compatible offerings here, the Chicago-styled "Five AM" sampling KC Flight, "Let's Get Jazzy," where the drum tracks stands out, and two other gut-grabbing, bass-laden jazzy affairs. He also tosses a bone to his fans with one very good but typical Edge track. Fat Cat Records UK can always be counted on to offer tracks from the leftfield, GRAIN "Grain EP" is a perfect example. As usual, information is limited. There are five tracks, with three that are significant. One is the standout with a slammin' driving tribal rhythm and seductive vocals pleading to "turn the lights down" -- you will comply. Two other tracks are impressive takes on the best of Basic Channel. SUPER COLLIDER's supporters have been growing greatly, especially since their great album "Head On" on Loaded UK was released recently. Their newest single "It Won't Be Long" has four mixes produced by Christian Vogel, Jamie Lidell, Neil Landstrum, and Blofeld. They all take their individual approach with subtle variations. What you end up with is a slice of primal P-Funk, imagine what the music from the planet The Funkadelic Mothership blasted off from. Praise not lightly given! Send review material to: |