DJ Keoki is a name that is synonymous with the US dance scene. Keoki, born in El Salvador and raised in Hawaii, has been a pioneering force in electronic dance music for over a decade now. Keoki broke into DJing in the early 90s at the New York club Danceteria. He played an eclectic mix of electronic dance music and soon became one of the first DJs to tour in the US. He began playing raves and clubs on the road and developed into a national dance music hero. This latest installment on Hypnotic records gives you more of what Keoki is all about. His unique blend of electroclash and tech-house has gained him followers all around the world and a multitude of mix CD releases.
His one of a kind sounds begins with his own mix of The Horroist called "Virus." The vocals are composed of a spoken-word story about a boy, drugs, namecalling, and pornography. It is a simple blend of electro bass and laser sounds, but it has serious impact. Chi-town native Felix Da Housecat lets loose his funky track "Madame Hollywood" featuring the enchanting vocals of Miss Kittin. Ursula has the honors on the remix and it adds some handclaps and a mesmerizing synth loop.
It gets electrified more with "Window Shopping in the Mirror" by L'Ectronix and "You're My Disco" by Waldorf. These two songs have an old school sound, but are still fun and exciting. The highlight of the disc comes in the form of the Zombie Nation club banger "Native Love'. This song is a far cry from "Kernkraft 400" and is really funky. The vocals of Divine add a punk vibe and the synth sounds remind me of Afrika Bambaattaa & the Soulsonic Force. It is a great track and I am sure that it will be heard all over. The other Zombie Nation track "Unload" continues with a real funky bass groove and hard-edged synth riffs reminiscent of industrial music. These songs will make you feel like being naughty, guaranteed. The group Bad Cabbage produces a massive track in "You're Rude." This song keeps up with the electro style and delivers an interesting message. Miss Kittin returns to lay down vocals on the Golden Boy song "Rippin Kittin". Keoki chooses the Vinylasylum remix that is more minimal sounding but retains some disco flair to it.
The finale is a track by Los Ninos entitled "Volume 2." These Secret Mixes have a funked up grooves along with some delinquents on the vocals. Half-Spanish and half-English vocals keep the listener on their feet. This song really pumps and leaves you wanting more Keoki. This world-renowned DJ has big plans on his new label Hypnotic Recordings and will be doing both production and mixing on records for all his beloved fans out there. Electroclash is an exciting genre in dance and Keoki is a the top of the food chain.
