August 2000Again this year, summer hasn't hampered the great new releases being offered. Most of what we have come from the more savvy independent labels that understand the predictable release cycles of the majors. However, the majors have not neglected summertime altogether for the past couple of years. MARINO BERARDI "Plan B" on Wally's Groove World (UK) neatly follows his recent release "Expression in E-dub" on Wave. These offerings are both progressive percussion extravaganzas not to be missed. "Expression in E dub" takes a tribal techno approach and was a well worked Italian import earlier this year for those "in-the-know." Rob Rives does a fresh remix as the "Floppy Dub." There are many changes and vital breakdowns throughout Berardi's hypnotic, house soundscapes to keep any floor fully entertained. "Plan B" takes on the vitality of the first release but it is fused with well rounded, filtered jazzy house keyboards and phat beat bumpin' bass that will cross it over to any dance floor. This track has just been licensed to Wave as well and will be issued here with new mixes. PAUL JOHNSON "Get On My Camel" on Full House leads off this fine trio of new tracks from France. This is a prime slice of "Chi town" funky house that cannot be ignored. The luscious vocals from Charlotte get down with the groove and fully complement Johnson's backing track. "Get On My Camel" pushes hard when it should and eases back slickly to highlight the melody and vocals. ROY DAVIS JR. Is up next with "Join His Kingdom" on 20,000 ST. Don't let the title put you off. Davis does start with a gospel base for this fine track but reconstructs the concept rendering it down to his grungy, soulful version of tech-house. Davis' unique, syrupy falsetto is a pleasant counter-balance to his use of a very wicked, controlling bass line. The highly anticipated new single from Oliver Portal's PLAYIN' 4 THE CITY (Straight Up, FR) is a cover of "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" the classic penned by Cole Porter for the show "Leave It To Me." The always deeply substantial Playin' 4 the City is fronted this time with the sumptuous vocal styling of Nicole Graham. Graham's sultry delivery is aimed squarely at the late evening hours with harmonious, sensual keyboards intermingled with warm atmospherics all backed by crisp percussion that would satisfy a n early morning, sleazy crowd. Flip this over for "Spirits," essentially a dub that drops the vocals favoring the passionate chords, added keyboard layers, throbbing bass and insidious cosmic elements. This is a must for those fans of French acts like Shazz or St. Germain. All this summery music is bolstered further by aFRO-mYSTIK (aka Chris Smith, aka DJ Fluid) "Remix EP" on San Francisco's own Om Records. "Devious Rhythms" the "Etch-A-Sketch Remix" on the A side is exquisite with complex Afro/Latin rhythm offset by a funky demanding edge. There is jazz inspired breakdowns and smoky vocals that defy the energy of the rhythm and anchor this track into much deeper territory. The flip offers two mixes of "Ritual De Rua." The "Dreamtime House Dub" is geared to the San Francisco underground with a deep bumpin' vibe. The "Electro Space Mix" is an electro, tribal scorcher that will satisfy the progressive, breaks crowd. More complex, deep Afro/Latin rhythm highlight FLORIS' "Thrill Me" on After Midnight (UK). The original mix has muted horns that dive in and around keyboard washes that manage to fill all aural cavities. Rocked by conga beats throughout this track also has warm filtered chords that enhance the jazz atmosphere as minimal, raw male vocals effectively seduce the listener. MIGUEL MIGS brings his magic touch to WR "www.azs2000.com" on Rhythmix. In the original mix one finds a fairly unassuming pop house song not dissimilar to Everything But The Girl. Migs works this song over with his distinctive brand of Naked Music styled soulful groove that gives it underground credibility. On the flip is a beautiful Afro/Brazilian styled remix from Oscar that will please the "Body & Soul" league. Since we're featuring Miquel Migs his newest Naked Music release is out, "Paradise," a powerful male vocal highlights Migs' exceptional production. For all the masses that follow the label and resident maestro, it's crucial. Also, new on Naked Music is AQUANOTE with "True Love" another quality release from Naked. "True Love" has an outstanding lyric sung by some equally outstanding vocalist, just buy it! KENNY DOPE releases "Big Hit/Illout" on his new MAW imprint Dope Wax. "Illout" is a jazz stoked track with a breaky, 2 step hybrid rhythm. "Big Hit" come at you with a simple yet effective disco loaded house track of the caliber we all expect from Mr. Gonzales. The Wackdaddies (aka Tony Senghorne and Paul Woodford) "A Walk In The Park," on Under the Counter (UK), is the newest release from this appropriately named group. Romanthony does the "Rave In The Park Mix" which is probably the most workable version, but unfortunately flattens the track out too much for my taste. I recommend the "rough & raw" original mix with it's wild and f**ked up beats enhanced by seriously hammered bass. There are sparse, spoken word stabs that enhance this version's charm as well. MICROBOTS "Cosmic Evolution Part 2" on the UK's Quad Communication finds the ever present, man of the hour Timo Maas dipping into his bottomless bag of post-production tricks. This time Maas is in his always effective trance mode. This is an outstanding example of how to make a trance record and keep it fresh and ever changing. MOONFACE "Futurized Fears" on John Digweed's Bedrock label is another solid outing from this UK taste maker. Following a familiar standard set by the previous releases from Bedrock is welcomed. Very trippy vocals repeat the phrase "the doors of your mind, the doors of perception" are framed nicely by a firm, tech-trance base. Top Ten Albums
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