quick audio picks: 1234
This one is for everyone who's been in line at a club or a party and had some dude push past them like "Yo I'm on the list - yeah, I know the DJ"Montreal's Chromeo hooks up with Parisian phenom DJ Mehdi...
expand review on the Ed Banger label for this track about trying to get on the other side of that velvet rope. In keeping with the theme of the record, I gotta say that we've been bumping this shit in the office for months, ever since Ed Banger sent us the advance copy. Mehdi lays down a sick (and I mean SICK!) electro groove and Dave from Chromeo gives an outstanding account of a night of weary club-hopping with uber-cool vocals on the Paris version(1). The Montreal version(2) surpasses it, though, with a simple and effective use of vocoder in key spots. Kenny Dope's remix(3) takes it from the club to the loft with a slightly tamer version for more low-key affairs. Also includes dub version of the Kenny Dope mix. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Very cool 12" here. This one features the full extended dancefloor edits that Todd Terry and Kenny Dope did for Now Again (the Kashmere Stage Band 7s that came out last month are slightly different). And really, is there anybody better than...
expand review these guys for taking that raw funk prodigy that is the Kashmere Stage Band and turning it into a streamlined cagey veteran? Veteran house producer Todd Terry may seem like an odd choice to the uninitiated, but this guy is cut from the same cloth as Kenny and all those other New York legends- heavy funk/disco/hip hop background, progressed into house, fucked shit up, been doing it for 20 plus years, etc. And his steady bumb edit of "I Wish(1)" might be even better than Kenny's edit of "Super Strut(2)," at least when it comes to the dancefloor. For the beat freaks and sample chompers, check the ridiculous drummage that Kenny's got going on his mix, also available in the "drums only(3)" mix. -the mgmnt
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Sweet score. Deadstock copies of this 2001 Kenny Dope EP (not to be confused with the Big Beat 12" with "Don Dada"). This is Mr. Dope in his tastefully understated downtempo mode, offering jazz loops on "Mr. Dope" and "The Jazz," and...
expand review chopping up disco tracks on "Ain't No Need" and "Oh Baby." 6 tracks in all. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
This review has got a lot of exclamation points. I thought those Kenny Dope 7's were hot, but these new 12" remixes are ridiculous! Whereas the 7's featured extended drum breaks, these mixes flip the entire tracks to make instant dance classics...
expand review (no exaggeration!). On the "Space Funk" remix (the much stronger of the 2 remixes), the intro break is intact and extended, but bama' a new guitar loop section with some beautifully laced keys. This is a class job, much like the Masters at Work Fela treatment. Also, don't miss the outtro on this one: improvised basslines, organ stabs, and more breaks! I haven't been this excited over a "reissue" in a while. On the flip, the remix of "Midnight Theme" starts off much like the original, but features a new improvised section(2), sure to be sampled by a lazy producer. Also includes the 7" version of "Space Funk!(3)" Like, totally boss! Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Mr. V and Alix Alvarez are like a match made in deep house heaven, and their Sole Channel imprint continues to showcase the magic that ensues when the two collaborate. "Move(1)" features Mr. V's infectious vocals, going on about working the dancefloor,...
expand review over some deep bass, old school synth driven swingy beats and nice chord changes. The "Work It Out Dub(2)" sends most of the sounds through effects and takes out Mr. V's vocals, while the "Laced Up Dub(3)" is a more straight ahead version of the track, sans vocals. Being caned by all the major players- don't sleep! -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 123
A much welcomed reissue of the first single from MAW's Nuyorican Soul project. This was originally released in 1993 and started a new direction for the production duo and for dance music in general. They combined live players, classic house elements, and...
expand review a laid-back downtempo feel to create something entirely new. Even listening to this track today, it sounds like it could be a new release. The straight up Ballsy Mix(1) is my pick, dig those incredible breakbeats and old school house sounds. Also includes the Horny Mix with more live horn-play, and the very interesting Shock Mix(2) which extends the original and adds a variety of dubbed out samples. A classic no doubt, recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Retarded white label of some classic UK-only remixes, serious heat from one to three. First you get the little-known 1991 Masters At Work remix(1) of the St. Etienne hit. I love these kind Soul II Soul breaky versions. Next up, you get...
expand review Know It All Mix remix(2) of De La Soul's "Eye Know." This originally appeared on one of those import version singles and features a slowed down drum and bass break. Last but definitely not least (actually this is probably the track most people will buy this for), you get Blue Boy "Remember Me" Sure Is Pure 12" Remix(3). This song features those unmistakable Marlena Shaw vocals and was immortalized by Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz mix. This 10 minute version is the one you want to play. Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Ever sleep on a track at the shop, only to hear it in a club later and curse your self for not pickin it up? That's what happened with this one for me. Pretty much anything the MAW guys touch gets better...
expand review and the same goes for "The Heart's A Lonely Hunter." David Byrne's vocals sounded misplaced to me on the original, but in this uptempo version remixed by Lil' Louie Vega(1), the vocals really work well. Louie adds a nice afro-beat with some great vocal breakdowns. I heard Osiris play that mix last weekend, and not only were people grooving to it, but I could see the whole energy level go up. The Thievery guys also retouch it themselves(2), adding a tribal 4 to the floor kick, and dubbing out the vocals nicely. Pick this one up now, and be that guy who has people coming up to the booth scratching their heads like "is that the same remix that came out last week?" Original album mix also included. -SABO
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