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CLUBCLASSICS 2: BREAKS, DOWNBEAT AND TRIP HOP (EMPIRE
MUSIC WERKS) |
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We've all seen them, what look like cheesy dance compilations put together
by a major label trying to cash in on the "underground" dance craze. We
(that's the informed "we," the dance music elitists) see them, but we ignore
them. However, don't be fooled by Clubclassics Vol. 2's simple graphics,
because there truly are some gems on this CD. As a DJ finally relenting ‹
re: relinquishing my archaic adherence to vinyl ‹ and playing CDs and
digital media, these unmixed classics will still make you seem all old
school, yo. Oscar G and Ralph Falcon as Murk are still making waves in South
Beach Miami clubs with their full-on tribal to progressive house sound, but
Oscar's hip house classic "Give Yourself" has a realy great sense of groove,
far more nuanced than the monsters they're known for nowadays. Critical
Rhythm's trip hop meets dancehall reggae on "I'm In Love With You" overlaps
the hi hats and plonks the bass with some truly disco-fied string synths
thrown in for good measure. Most of the tracks on this compilation were
originally released on Nugroove Records, an acid house mainstay - hearing
the slung low spy breaks and natural percussion of Te Deum's "The Infinite
Wheel" is but one example, a track like Da Noyz Boyz's "I Need Something
Stronger" is another, sounding like it might well have influenced the likes
of Underworld. The other batch of singles is culled from Toronto's Stickmen
Records, like the snare drum breaks of Afrodesiac's "Life In A Day" and two
from Nigel Richards with the bleeping breaks bomb "Funk This" (co-produced
with the Stickmen) and the acid warble on "I Like It." Look for more tunes
by Deep Six, Kenny "Dope," Joey Beltram, Frankie Bones and other big dance
stars showing a soft side from their past. Kudos should also go out to
Empire Music Werks for the smarts to license these eminently playable tunes.
www.empiremusicwerks.com-- review by Yuri Wuensch
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