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Layo & Bushwacka! - Global Underground GU33: Rio - 23-Jun-08 07:48 AM
I have to admit, I gave this compilation a 3, simply because CD1 is totally out of place here and deserves 1 as far as I'm concerned. Nobody needs that kind of shit on a GU comp (Felix Da Housecat's Milan comes to mind as well). GU folks should wake up a bit. The praise goes to CD2, which, although minimal and modern in it's heart, does tell a story and goes somewhere. Hey, I'd even say it's rememberable, and not one of those discs which you'll be listening to for a month or two and forget later. I can even understand they were paying some kind of a tribute to a particular sound with CD1, but I can't escape the feeling it was quite hard for them to make 2 good CDs with current material, which is a shame. Maybe I'm wrong, but there were never so many mix compilations seeking old tunes for help, as there are today. Why do I feel it was a much easier task few years ago to make a good, coherent set with new tunes without sounding bland or dull? Hell, I know I'm not the only one having this feeling...

Jam & Spoon - Tripomatic Fairytales 3003 - 14-Jun-06 06:01 PM
Typical Jam & Spoon fan probably won't be interested in listening this album, since it's obviously a pop album.
Some might say, even better, because that makes this production exposed to a more wider audience, and not only to electronic music listeners or clubbers.
Nontheless, there are some recognizable elements of J production in here. There are many, really beautiful songs, for which you can't even imagine being produced by this duo after listening for example Tripomatic Fairytales 2001. Kaleidoscope, for example, looks more like this album, although the main difference is that in 3003 you can't find a single typical, hypnotic J track, which would make those pop tunes nicely fit together and make a coherent album. In other words, there are too many vocals. Although this is the idea album is based on, too many vocals make your listening a bit claustrophobic. Few instrumental, hypnotic & clubby J productions would give this album some more space.
If I should compare this album to another one, based on the same idea, and using similar production tricks, than it would be Paul Oakenfold's Bunkka. So, this way you know what you'll get. Either you'll like it, or not.
What really stands out for me here is the opening song featuring Plavka's vocals - Moment Gone. Now, this is really beautiful, and it's a shame it hasn't been released as a single. At the end, I recommend listening the track Vata. Really a fantastic, laidback track, and what makes it perfect for me is the last minute of this track. This last minute of Vata is what J is all about.

Nemos - Summer Winds EP - 16-Feb-06 04:57 AM
Highly interesting release from a highly versatile label, covering many genres. This one has some good drum n' bass, downtempo breaks, as well as some dark progressive house sounds. Actually, it sounds very Nick Warren-like, especially if you consider their next release (Jacob Todd "Somehow EP"), which is featured on Nick Warren's "Shanghai" (a GU release). Personally, it's the Deep Space Organisms remix that does it for me. It gets quite dark, the same as Aural Imbalance remix. Pure quality.

Paul Oakenfold - Perfecto Presents... Great Wall - 14-Dec-05 05:46 AM
One of the most underestimated releases back in 2003, thanks to people following the "Oakenfold is a sell out"-hype, who obviously can't imagine things have to move forward and change with time. Unexpectedly, Oakenfold actually delivers on this one. And he delivers MAGIC in 1999ish proportions, in a way he's only capable of.
Those 2 discs include some of the most beautiful tracks of 2003 (like Motorcycle's, Leama & Moor's and Solar Stone's), with whom most people of the genre are familiar with. You can't forget Infusion remixing Bjork on this one, or Junkie XL doing the same to Dave Gahan, and of course, the utterly beautiful (and very, very hard to get on vinyl) trance version of Mercury Skies, courtesy of John B.
The first disc flows perfectly, with a fantastic track selection (so what if there's Justin or Madonna). Just take a look how much effort has been put into creating such an atmosphere in their remixes. Or take disc two, which begins with emotional, lush and layered breaks which on the second half of the CD transform into progressive and trance frenzy!
Big tracks, sure (from a big man, right?)...but he knows how to keep you interested; as well as incredible ATMOSPHERE and EMOTION which made many non-electronic music lovers play those 2 CD's numerous times (I quote them: "there's something powerful here"), really make this release stand-out.
For me this is the last GREAT mix CD Oakenfold has made in recent years. I don't consider this one to be in the same category with Creamfields. 2006 could bring us one new Perfecto Presents...at least, I hope so.

Slok - Lonely Child - 12-Dec-05 06:19 AM
As featured on Satoshi Tomiie's "ES" compilation, released earlier this year (as a closing track). Sort of dark, but emotional piece of electro house, which will even appeal to many progressive heads out there. This release seems to determine the new path Saw has taken in recent months.