What do you get when you take two parts mega-monthly club night, add forty-one ass-kicking tracks, mix in a little wet Liverpool weather, cut with two superstar DJs and add a dash of superclub? Circus & Chibuku present: Yousef & Krafty Kuts, that's what you get. These two powerhouse DJs step up and mix a compilation that will knock your friggin' socks off. The driving and sexy rhythms of Yousef on disc one are flanked by the funky and chunky party beats that Kratfy Kuts lays down, both with true precision. If that were not enough this CD is sponsored by one of the hottest clubs and club monthlies in the UK. Circus @ Masque was started by Yousef himself in November of 2002 and quickly became the place to be in Liverpool on the last Saturday night of the month. Along with hosting some of the worlds biggest DJs including Josh Wink, Derrick Carter, Doc Martin and Erick Morillo, Circus has also held two DJ competitions, with the winner receiving a prime slot during one of the nights. Longtime friend and promoter extraordinaire Richard McGuiness joined the Chibuku camp in spring of 2001 and he never looked back.
The Chibuku night started at the Lemon Lounge in Liverpool quickly grew to the Radio1-rated number one place to be on New Years Eve for 2001/2. After turning away more than 1300 people before they opened the doors, the crew knew this night had
cemented its place in the England club spotlight. After all this achievement, its no wonder they asked two of the hottest UK DJ's to mix up a double disc set that would set any dance floor on fire.
Yousef takes the helm first with twenty tracks of pure house heaven. Following the wacky Circus intro, Yousef proceeds with layering the accapella from his track "Way of Life" over the Harri and the Revenge song "Slack Jaw." The subtle vocals of Miriam compliment the funky guitar riffs and bouncing bassline of "Slack Jaw" perfectly. Chicago house master Johnny Fiasco drops into the mix with his track "Electric Boogie." The light acid basslines are combined with snare and crash cymbal to give it that smooth feel. Further into the mix, Yousef plays the hottest track of this mix. US house talent Slater Hoagn and John Larner deliver a funked-up electro-laden house choon that is pure party.
"Add Acid" gives the perfect definition of what his night at Circus represents. Nearing the end of the mix, Yousef plays the smash hit "My My My" by Armand Van Helden. The Yousef and Danny S. Re-Edit gets some more bounce to the ounce out this track. The slamming percussion is a tight fit with the huge vocals of one of the biggest songs of 2004. This mix also includes tracks from the likes of Cartoon, Freeform Five, MU, Dirty Soul, David Duriez and the Drum Bums, a divine selection.
Next up Krafty Kuts is ready for you to shake yo ass! From the intro it's easy to tell that this mix is going to be different. The first two tracks after the intro run no longer than two minutes for the both of them. He uses the Ian Pooley track "Vanesque" and the Fort Knox song "Brazilian Hipster" to start the party then he lays the "Lizzie's Children Accapella" from Freq Nasty's "Brooklyn to Brixton." This is nothing but class and sure to get your feet movin'. Next up he takes in way back with the "A. Skills Re-Rub" of the classic Parliament track "Flashlight." Real Elements drops some dope lyrics over the beat that's the definition of funky. After that he takes the mix into the mid eighties with Davy DMX and "The DMX Will Rock."
The full-on electro goodness is stitched seamlessly to the hit by Gary Numan "Me." Felix da Housecat graces the mix with the funky tech house monster "Silver Screen Shower Scene," and that's only track eight. With thirteen more tracks by the likes of Plump DJs, Freestylers, Krafty Kuts himself, Tim Deluxe, Drumattic Twins, and JDS vs. Mihell, this CD can please any breaks head, hands down. Get up, get to the store and cop this disc.
