Feng Shui
Q-Burns Abstract Message
Astralwerks
Unlike his wacky pitch-shifting DJ sets, Q-Burns productions
are endowed with rich, varied and reasonably linear musical ideas. After releasing several singles on various labels (Mephisto, Sunburn, Eighth Dimension), The Burn clocks in with his
first full-length. And it’s a great source for DJs, since Q-Burns approaches his instrumental tracks from a songwriter’s perspective – long intros, synth buildups, majestic hook, abrupt bridge. Try the disco diva meaty big and beaty
“Kinda Picky” or have your floor ride a 303 acid line amidst the downtempo breaks of “There Must be Something.” Make heads swirl and hearts thump with the flanged vocals and
poppin’ bass of “Feel.” Four-on-the-floor gets its due on
“Leela,” and her 909 clap lends it a twisted disco feel,
until halfway through Q-Burns delivers the knockout
keyboard melody. And that’s the MO with The Burn – don’t pick up that needle until the hook kicks in.
– Brian O’Connor

“Get The Message: Vol. 1”
Various
Subliminal
This, Subliminal’s initial foray into CD compilations, offers up a worthy collection of singles for house leaning CD jocks. From pumping garage (two mixes of the chart-topping “Fun” by Da Mob feat. Jocelyn Brown) to hard-edged New York-style club jams (Jose Nunez’s “In My Life” and Constipated Monkeys’
“Cro-Magnon”) and melodic crunchers (Pianoheadz’s “Distortion”), there’s plenty of flavor loaded up here for those who
haven’t yet picked up the 12-inch vinyl versions. As label
owner and co-producer of Da Mob and Pianoheadz projects,
Erick Morillo has kick-started a new Jersey sound.
For more info, call (201) 866-5340.
– Jim Tremayne

“Soundshock Vol. 1: The Funky Break Edition”
DJ Hardware
Streetbeat
Throw your hands in the air and get ready for a roller coaster ride into a world of mayhem and hysteria. This intense percussive journey starts off with “Raise Your Hands,” an abrasive electronic manipulation by the Boston Bruins, and continues on a “Chemical Meltdown” by Tales From The Hardside that screams, “This is your brain on 303 acid!” Then lay back and let the ferocious Junkie XL beat you into submission with “Billy Club,” a twisted revelation in itself. A wickedly infectious compilation of hard breaks.
For more info, contact (213) 466-5141.
– Peter A. Colon

“Chicken Eye”
DeeJay Punk-Roc
Independiente/Epic
DJ Shadow’s Entroducing set the watermark for sample-based old-school history lessons. Brooklyn-born DeeJay Punk-Roc occupies similar territory, but his debut full-length hardly rests in the domain of “previously chewed.” Check out the Zapp-like reedy and robotic vocals on “All You Ladies” and transport back to 1980. Increase the pitch on “Dead Husband” and you’ve welded old school to drum-n-bass. Or simply plug into your area lamppost and play this album’s bomb, “My Beatbox,” an electro cut that received top billing overseas, where Punk-Roc is sorta
like an Ambassador of Scratch. Dust off the mirror ball,
everything old school is new again.
– Brian O’Connor

“Paper”
Queen Latifah
Flavor Unit/Motown
Now this is slick. Queen Latifah utilizes the melody of the classic “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and adds her own words to create a groovy R&B number. It’s downtempo and delicious and will definitely see radio action. No rapping, but Latifah showcases her considerable vocal delivery and she sounds good. This cut has hit written all over it and, with production credit going to Pras of The Fugees, you know it’s bangin’. – Phil Turnipseed

“Old Skool Vibes”
Tobi One
Kult
Simple, yet effective, this catchy sample track works as
a terrific after-hours houser – a perfect addition to your set.
The combination of door-slamming beat drops, subtle sample snips and hand claps provides an excellent avenue for
endless segue possibilities from any musical direction – yet the cut manages to maintain a credibility that stands on its
own. A little short for my liking but still worth a shot. From
the “DJ Sampler Volume 7 EP.” 130 BPM. For more
information, contact (212) 564-7134.
– Peter A. Colon

Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation
The B-52’s
Reprise
Though there’s very little new here – just catchy summer radio hit “Debbie” and also-ran filler “Hallucinating Pluto” – this collection is a must for serious party jocks. Hits like “Rock Lobster,” “Strobe Light” and “Private Idaho” work for hip thirtysomethings, while “Love Shack” and “Roam” cross the board. Of course, the strummy guitar-driven “52 Girls” should start up any party with a modicum of taste and house jocks will be pleased to know that the David Byrne-produced “Mesopotamia” kicks at a 120-BPM pace. There are a few gems missing from this “best-of” – most notably the timeless “Dance This Mess Around” and the group’s raw New Wave take on Petula Clark’s “Downtown” – but most is forgiven with this wild ride down memory lane. – Jim Tremayne

“Games Of Love”
Mara
Ten-Lion
Yet another pulsating Latin hip hop scorcher from the
folks at Ten-Lion. This tasty morsel manages to capture the heart and soul of what the old school had to offer. If freestyle is what makes you tick, then let Mara take you on a journey to Latin hip hop heaven. Lovely. Call (305) 708-2600.
– Peter A. Colon

“Take It To The Top”
Nya
Maxi/Nap
Another garage winner from Jersey. Newcomers Tony V and Kenny Johnston concoct a bangin’ groove that’s big, deep and offers plenty of gospel flava. New artist Nya raises the roof with
her soulful delivery and diva attitude to match. She works it!
Four mixes here including Tony V’s “Nocturnal Mix,” a phat
garage workout. “Spins Backroom Mix” rocks, too. Background vocals from Sabrina Johnston and Kenny Bobien round
out these excellent productions.
– Phil Turnipseed

“Jet Set”
Dat Oven
Jellybean Recordings
Smart and sophisticated, “Jet Set” is an aggressive amalgam of twisted thoughts carefully placed over a mixture of bubbly house beats and a bouncy bassline. Sharp.129.5 BPM. Contact (212) 777-5678, for further information. – Peter A. Colon

“Last Chance”
Ceaser
Hi & Low Frequency/Hot
Ceaser proudly grabs the bull by the horns and blasts out a powerful, heart felt vocal performance on this highly volatile
Latin hip hop charmer. With its orchestral string arrangement, infectious beat patterns and a mesmerizing melody,
“Last Chance” is a feast for freestyle fans. Taken from
Dr. Javi’s Freestyle & Dance Volume 1 CD. 129 BPM. Contact (305) 628-9797 for further information.
– Peter A. Colon