• Contributed Releases (10)

• Pending Submissions (2)

• Browse Collection (0)

• Browse Wantlist (0)

• Contact

Mastercuts - 14-May-08 04:19 PM
I too was a pretty big fan of the Mastercuts series - up until they started releasing their 3-CD box sets. The Mastercuts Reggae from 2005 (not to be confused with Mastercuts Classic Reggae) is useless, comprising second-rate live versions and other selections you probably dont want! the compilation sounds like one (three) of those bargain-priced releases with remakes of the songs in the place of the original versions. The original Mastercuts were owned by Beechwood music, while the newer 3-CD sets are issued by Dynamic Music & Media. It would seem that the Mastercuts name was simply sold and is now being used to capitalize on the Mastercuts name (and deserved reputation). The Beechwood Mastercuts releases are golden, but do yourself a favour and skip the 3-CD sets - they are fakes!

Various - License To Thrill (Original Soundtrack) - 11-Feb-08 10:51 PM
A fantastic compilation which should have been released on CD! Respect is due to ZTT, however, for releasing the soundtrack to an independent ski film - something otherwise unheard of. A fine testament, not only to the groups present on the compilation but also to a film-maker who has always made an effort to include interesting and often obscure music in his productions. What we have here are some fine examples of late-80s ZTT groups. Unfortunately, during this period ZTT was experiencing some difficulties and many of the groups on this album were not given the promotion they perhaps deserved. Highlights include... well, everything. Of particular note is "Dance Yourself To Death" which, I believe, was the original version. It is completely different from, and superior to, the version found on MC Tunes "The North At Its Heights". Also noteworthy is "Crime Inc." - the song which apparently got Hoodlum Priest signed to ZTT. The License To Thrill soundtrack is incredibly rare, and I wish Id scored more copies of it when I had the chance. Alas, there are probably dozens of unopened copies floating around the basements of ski shops across the continent, waiting to be discovered - and sold on ebay...

808 State - Pacific - 11-Feb-08 10:20 PM
Do we need another review of this record? Well, it is an acid-house milestone and, I believe, just about as good as instrumental electronic music of any sort can get. Yep, this track is just about perfect - and all of the variations (including those mixes not found here) are equally enjoyable. In terms of who wrote the piece (as there seems to be some disagreement on the subject), I guess only the guys from 808 really know for sure. What Ive heard (for what its worth) is that Gerald Simpson wrote the bassline (and not the entire track). Regardless, this remains the track I play for people who dont know "techno" or "acid house" - just to show them how good it can get.

Shades Of Rhythm - The Album - 11-Feb-08 10:03 PM
I picked up this album just after it was released here in North America based on a press release from ZTT Records. Being a fan of ZTT and, more specifically, a huge fan of 808 State, I figured S/O/R would be a safe bet. Hmmm. The truth is, this album left me a little flat. Perhaps it was, in part, due to my instantly making a comparison with 808 State, but I found the arrangements on "The Album" lacking in any kind of depth. Texturally, I also found things to be a bit limited - as if the group was working with only a couple of sound banks. I will admit, however, that I do find most of the sounds here pleasing - just not terribly diverse. One sound which is not so pleasing, however, is that of the vocals. In fact, several songs which start off well are simply ruined when the vocals come in. It isnt so much the timbre which is the problem, but rather the lyrics and phrasing. Ouch. Finally, Clyde Stubblefield is given respect in the liner notes. It should come as no surprise, then, that nearly every track on this album has a drum beat derived from "Funky Drummer".

Baha Men - Back to The Island - 20-Aug-07 06:47 AM
Most people became aware of Baha Men following their remake of "Who Let The Dogs Out". This is unfortunate, as "Back To The Island" is really quite a refreshing record. The blend of House and Junkanoo provides a welcome change to a lot of the club fodder out there. An edit of the Coconut Club mix is present on the "Kalik" album, but pales in comparison to the full-length version found on the 12". Certainly worth checking out, even if you hated "Who Let The Dogs Out".