From my experiences listening to Ali B as a DJ mixing other people's music as well as my enjoyment catching positive vibes to his own tracks, I gather that he is the kind of guy who likes to have FUN with his FUNK. This "fun" or silly theme is found when he throws in constant pithy samples to almost overload the listener with cutesiness and a temporary feeling of euphoria that comes after being inundated with a repeated catchy riff. Just when I thought I would be getting bored with a particular track, he throws in another one, just showing off his natural skill at keeping one's attention with dance music. I have said this before, and I'll say it again: too many DJs end up compromising, with the computer being run on automatic, and don't throw enough creative changes into their music. When The Crystal Method came into our studios before one of their shows, I asked them about the craziest and most diverse music they had ever heard. Some of their responses gave me hope in the future of progressive breakbeat dance music. Ali B seems to be following a similar inspired trail.
Now let's move right into the flow of the compilation – one from his own label, Air Recordings. This gathering of beats kicks off with fun and upbeat sounds from the genesis, utilizing many peppy and catchy vocal samples to encourage the "positive" breaks spin. With track 1, DJ Love starts us out with "steez," a string-slapping number interlaced with keyboards to produce glistening sequenced funk! Then in number 2, Rennie Pilgrem delivers a smooth instrumental-based transition with "finger of fudge." DJ Icey outdoes himself with a marvelous upbeat and brazen breaks bit of glory with track 3, "mayday." It contains all of the best thick, juicy analogue sounds that hardcore fans like myself love. The vocal toasting is highly complimented by the sizzling synthesizers and groovy beats.
Unfortunately for my listening ear, many of the tracks in between have been released before on other compilations, so they were not as fresh and exciting as the new ones. While I think it is disappointing to hear so many tracks again and again, but nevertheless they are quality cuts. From Soul of Man to Hyper to Tayo, Ali B picks some of the best breakbeat artists to show off the legacy of Breaks in 2006. I really wish that if artists like Ali B were aware that many of their cuts were previously released, that they would choose to highlight remixed, tweaked, or vocal versions – anything but the original again!
At track 9 we gasp for a breath of fresh air at an innovative instrumental from Stanton Warriors called "prisoner." This sci-fi, space jazz, dazzling depiction of a detective film soundtrack and Marvel comics dialogue background rolled up all into one keeps amazing me every time I hear it again. We get to hear squeaking, rolling noises accompanied by mysterious cinema-sounding samples like "I am a free man" and "What do you want? … Information." Then right behind it comes the daunting track 10 with S.C.A.M. vs. Freestylers with their Aquasky-sounding dark thunderous bass roll. Next, I enjoyed selections 12 and 13, put out by Electrotec and Atomic Hooligan, with more "power track" motifs filled with dubby, low riding bass. Ali B even allows the classic Yellowman tribute sample, "Nobody move, nobody get hurt" to weave its way through the tribal congas. Track 14 by Krafty Kuts provided some juvenile joy with its squawking fun tones, and then I loved track 15 by DJ Deekline & Ed Solo featuring DJ Assault, with "one in the front." This one is typical of Ali B's seeming tribute to constant hip-hop influences, apparent by the silly booty rap contrasting with the brainy and intelligent hip-hop lyrics in the vein of A Tribe Called Quest, with a "thought-provoking" dialogue ensuing.
I would say that Ali B delivers a tight sampling of some of the most current catchy tracks out there in the Breaks/Breakbeat movement. It is always a pleasure to hear a skilled DJ put together a compilation that either capsulates a period of time, remembers a section of music history, or teases us with foreshadowing of future sounds to come. I think, between you and me, that Ali B has done all 3!!!
