DJ T Gets Physical with 'Body Language Vol. 2'
Author: TranZnews
Friday, July 7, 2006
Get Physical may have built a name as the reigning king of electro-house, but that doesn't stop label head DJ T. from reaching out with a broader sound on his second mix.
Since putting out his debut album, 'Boogie Playground' on Get Physical last year, T. has traveled all over the world to DJ. In the same way that his performances have united dance floors around the globe, 'Body Language Vol. 2' moves through the many shades and sounds of modern house and techno, picking up techno, electro, Italo and minimal influences along the way.
Like it's predecessor, 'Body Language 2' roams outside of Berlin with respect given to the British electrohouse contingent (Spektrum, Serge Santiago) Cologne's Kompakt (DJ Koze, Gui Boratto) and Detroit techno (Carl Craig, The Other People Place, aka recently deceased Drexciya member James Stinson.)
He looks to Detroit for the warm, weeping bass and mournful vocal of the mix opener, The Other People Place's Let Me Be Me by the sadly deceased former Drexciya member James Stinson and the euphoric Carl Craig remix of Falling Up by
In contrast, the finale comes from the other side of the world, namely T.'s home country, Germany, as the smart acid rework by Isolee of Villalobos's melancholic 'What You Say…' and a warm, snaking remix by DJ Koze of Heiko Voss's pop techno standard, 'I Think About You' combine for an exquisite, emotional climax.
In between these opposing locations there are gems and future classics, 1998's haunting vocal house of DJ Naughty's remix of Stella's 'Extralife' is picked as well as the dirty, bleepy Chicago groove of ASP's 'Reality Check', the moody bass and Italo chords of Tensnake's 'Around The House', and the subtle trance builds of Gui Boratto's 'Arquipelago' on Kompakt.
The German DJ's production skills are also in the spotlight with the inclusion of the evocative yet moody 'Marsha' by Einzelkind, the first release on Get Physical's new label Kindisch, as well as his own tripped out collaboration with label mates Booka Shade, 'Played Runner' and M.A.N.D.Y's slick percussive remix of Tiefschwarz's 'Damage'.
First glance at the many unfamiliar names on 'Body Language 2' confirms the potential of the mix to break new artists. Many of the unknown cuts on 'Body Language 1' went onto become club staples including Lindstrom's 'I Feel Space', Slam's 'This World' and James Holden's remix of Andre Kraml 'Safari'
Of course, this ability to pick and mix the right tunes would mean nothing without presentation and context: sure, 'Body Language Vol. 2' is indicative of pretty much everything that is great about European electronic music - check the fusion of stripped back minimalism and futuristic soulful vocal on the Barlz E Syntho remix of Spektrum's 'Horny Pony' and the chiming, squelchy 'Sweet Cow' by Chicken Lips - but it never delves into deep self-indulgence.
Indeed, the mood is celebratory and emotional and, as importantly, it's hard for even the most casual listener as well as the hardened house and techno trainspotter not to be seduced by this mix.It's possible to enjoy this mix on a hot beach as much as you could in a sweaty basement club and that says it all about 'Body Language 2': it's music for the head, heart and feet for house music lovers all over the world..
'Body Language 2' Tracklisting
01. The Other People Place - Let Me Be Me [Warp]
02. Stella - Extralife (DJ Naughty Remix) [Lado]
03. Einzelkind - Marsha [Kindisch]
04. Tensnake - Around the House [Mirau]
05. Spektrum - Horny Pony (Barlz E Syntho Mix) [Non Stop]
06. Chicken Lips - Sweet Cow (Chicken Lips Zeefunkt Mix) [King Size]
07. Audio Soul Project - Reality Check [Dessous]
08. DJ T. vs Booka Shade< Tags