DJ Element (3) - Soundtrax For Life Vol. 1

MC Manic really impressed me on this mix. Most MC's are weak and usually take away from the music rather than complement. But Manic realy nails it from start to finish here. In some cases, like the Bud remix of Jebar, Manic even makes the tune better. I bought that 12" with memories of this mix in mind and then when I got it home and Manic was nowhere to be found the tune fell flat on me. Now the plate is collecting dust on my shelf. On the DJ side Element gets respect for that excellent block of tunes from Chain Smoker to No Way to Eastern Organic. Chain Smoker and No Way had me combing new release lists for a few weeks after I heard this. Then getting No Way and Clarity on the same plate when it did come out was a bonus. Clarity has become one of those tunes that will never leave my bag. Clarity = B A S S L I N E F R O M T H E G O D S.

I'd love to hear more from MC Manic.

What's special about this mix is a unique blend of liquid smooth sounds ("The Great Breakaway") and harder tunes ("Chain Smoker"). Unlike in other live sessions, here the MC is in the background, not taking over tracks with same rhymes, but rather highlighting key moments of the mix.
Overall; this is a brilliant mix even though it’s complex. Both: the DJ and the MC are successfully putting all pieces together, shifting from one mood to another.