Skrufff Complilations of 2002
Author: Jonty Adderley
Friday, December 20, 2002
:: Chris Brann - Inspirations:: American Gigolo: DJ Tiga's Best of International Deejay Gigolo Records
:: Lektroluv: An Elektion Of Elektrifying Elektro Pop
:: Underwater Episode 1: Created by Darren Emerson & Tim Deluxe
:: Westside: Mixed by Ice T
:: James Lavelle: Global Underground: Barcelona
:: Classic & Rare: La Collection Chapter 3
:: The Wild Bunch: Story Of A Sound System, mixed by D.J. Milo
:: DJ Hell: Electronicbody- Housemusic
:: Serie Noire: Dark Pop + New Beat
Chris Brann - Inspirations
(Karma Giraffe)
Florida producer Chris Brann is currently best known for his multimillion selling single King Of The Castle, which he released under the pseudonym Wamdue Project in 1999, though he's also enjoyed success as Ananda Project, the Wamdue Kidz and P'TAAH. For this compilation, in which he selects his favourite old skool inspirational tunes, he's collated a truly exceptional selection of jazz and house tracks, that demonstrate the intimate and lasting connections between both worlds.
The CD starts with Alice Coltrane's breathtaking Journey In Satchidananda, a polyrhythmic instrumental track combining abstract strings, wailing sax solos and walking bass-lines with startling complexity yet equally surprising effect. From that stunning start, he delves into the 70s fusion of George Duke (featuring Brazilian giant percussionist Airto Moreira), Roy Ayers and even Chick Corea and Berklee's Gary Burton (via their ECM collaboration) avoiding any boring jazz pitfalls, as the CD progresses.
Alongside the jazz giants are classic dance moments including Mr Fingers'Closer, Gwen Guthrie's sublime Peanut Butter and Teena Marie's Portuguese Love, completing a collection that's unusually sophisticated yet fantastically listenable. If you buy one jazz orientated dance CD this year, make it this one. Hugely recommended!
American Gigolo: DJ Tiga's Best of International Deejay Gigolo Records
(International Deejay Gigolo Records)
DJ Hell's Gigolo Records is currently the trendiest label in London, finding favour with fashion victims, supermodels and self-conscious media types alike, for its role in kick starting the back-to-the-80s electro disco boom currently sweeping the city.
Leading Gigolo's charge last year were avant-garde New York deviants Fischerspooner and French Soft Cell fans Miss Kittin & The Hacker and both feature here, singing their greatest tracks ("Emerge" and "Frank Sinatra").
Soft Cell's king of 80s vice Marc Almond, in fact, also makes a surprise appearance, hamming it up in typical sleazy style, backed even more surprisingly by Holland's commercial trance supremo Ferry Corsten.
The whole package is mixed by Canada's DJ Tiga, who himself appears set for significant UK stardom with the imminent release of his own track Sunglasses After Dark (coming out on Felix Da Housecat's label City Rockers). Out on 25th March, American Gigolo is a compilation of its moment.
Lektroluv: An Elektion Of Elektrifying Elektro Pop
(Sabam)
When Felix Da Housecat's masterpiece album I Know Electrikboy failed to gain a UK release in 1999, few predicted its 80s inspired selection of tuneful, melancholic songs would kick-start a movement, though 3 years on, Felix's vision is the most fashionable sound in London clubland. Sleazy, song based and surprisingly accessible, the new electro has found favour with both fashion victims and followers, with considerable support from former techno pioneer DJ Hell, whose Gigolo Records also dominates the genre.
Dr Lektroluv is a rising star DJ of the scene and here he mixes together som Tags