July 2002ELVIS AARON PRESLEY, "The King," died twenty-five years ago on the 16th of August 1977. He was the undisputed blueprint for much of what is pop today, and the Presley music catalog still outsells many newcomers on the scene today. Now Elvis is taking on a new generation with an underground remix of "A Little Less Conversation (a little more action)" on RCA. DJ JUNKIE XL out of Amsterdam, here abbreviated to JXL, is the first contemporary producer ever to be able to touch an archive recording from Elvis. Originally intended for Nike commercials during the World Cup, this will be the first new release from Elvis since the 70s. This may seem like an obvious ploy taking more than a slight lead from the success of releases from the likes of Wiseguys "Start the Commotion" or Dirty Vegas "Days Go By," but who cares it's Elvis. The overall treatment is edgy breakbeat coupled with a rock & roll build containing many hooky twists and turns that create a tension and energy equal to anything out there. The essence is all Elvis delivered through this lesser known 60s classic (from his film "Trouble with Girls" I think). This is no sample fest although JXL does make a 1:39 original song into 6:07 extravaganza. The song is immediately alluring and has all the vitality of Elvis live at his peak: horns, guitars, cowbells, and great lyrics. Play this at peak time, before it's used in a commercial here. THE TIMEWRITER, aka Frank Cochois, has returned from a four year hiatus with his fourth album on the German label Plastic City. "Diary of a Lonely Sailor" is a brilliantly executed progression from his first two releases "Letters from the Jester" and "Jigsaw Pieces." Cochois spent a good part of the four years since his last release working post-production with a vast number of fellow recording artists. This album reflects this work with a variety of fresh nuances throughout his new album. "Diary of a Lonely Sailor" is not a big departure from his previous work -- there would be no reason to mess with near perfection. The previous Timewriter releases created a new soul for a new age not too house deep and not too tech-y, a blending that is just right. There are only two tracks that have full vocals, but that element isn't really missed on the remaining offerings. Cochois' extensive musical training prevents any selection from seeming bare in the absence of full vocals. There is always proper and interesting structure to all his songs and there is a voice in everything he does. Sometimes this voice is a full vocal, well-placed vocal samples, or a beautifully composed part for a flute, brass, or a piano. The Timewriter's hallmark, dramatic ambient iterludes are the only selections not ready to go as future singles. Here are some that stand out and should be played immediately from the album: "Life Is Just a Timeless Motion" introducing Ms. Sid Thompson on vocals, "So Free" with Jay on vocals, "Back from Exile" and "Hope and Despair." Label-mate Terry Lee Brown Jr. joins in on "Travellers," a spacey, slightly trancey track nicely reflecting the melding of both. "Diary of a Lonely Sailor" also plays beautifully through as a full album with meticulous attention to the details involved in proper segue of songs and continuity of sound. This is certainly going to be one of the important releases for this summer. This is timeless and essential music. JAMAYKA (847-401-2321) out of Chicago is a new label to watch if phat tech-house is your passion. Their first release is from MAZI with two funky house stormers "The Need" b/w "Visitation" both hit hard with sexy vocal snippets and infectious rhythm. Just what we have grown to expect from this house authority. Up next will be TONY THOMAS (one half of the UK duo Red Moon). You would have to be living under the proverbial rock to not know this guy's excellent work. He has released recordings with as many domestic as foreign labels including Soma, The End, Eukahouse, Tango, and Honchos. He has rarely let us down. His release on Jamayka, "Ooyah" b/w "Psyclick" original mix and remixed by the half of Red Moon, DJ Hal is no exception. Both are punched up tribal dance floor tools that will keep any flow moving. ERIC DAVENPORT & TWENTY-TWELVE is slated to release "Long Time Now" the first week of August. The edgy, techno original and excellently stripped-down metallic dub mixes are paired with an off-the-wall deep vibe mix from HATIRAS. Speaking of the man pick up Hatiras' fabulous new album, "Arrival" on IHR. These thirteen banging tracks include the now classic "Spaced Invaders." Chicago hard house at its best. There isn't much that can be said about DJ SHADOW and "The Private Press" on MCA that hasn't already been said by every major publication except, "believe the hype buy the album." This Bay area artist created an auditory experience that is at same time personal, commercial, groundbreaking, and underground. DJ CHEB I SABBAH represents San Francisco and the Bay area again with the final part of a trilogy that began with Shri Durga (1999) and MahaMaya (2000) and ends with "Krishna Lila," all on the outstanding Six Degrees Records. Our friend Cheb I Sabbah has been an alternative club mainstay for the last twelve years with his weekly Tuesday nights at Nickie's Bar-B-Q on the lower Haight Street area in San Francisco. His mix of classical Indian and traditional middle eastern music with contemporary dance beats creates a fusion not only of new and old music but of the concept of dance ancient and modern. The experience and concept of music spiritual versus secular is also presented and intermingled satisfying both body and soul. Cheb I Sabbah was born in Algeria and began spinning records in Paris 1964. DJing isn't just for all the twenty- and thirty-somethings out there. "Krishna Lila's" original nine tracks fuses music ancient and spiritual with the power of modern technology producing a world of music for the future. Send review material to: |