Tampa native and up-and-coming DJ/producer Mondo gives us the fourth installment in his Tampa Breaks series. This mixed compilation features the newest and hottest of breaks from Florida and beyond. Mondo is quite a staple in Tampa clubland. He has successfully held a residence for over two years at the infamous Amphitheater in Ybor City, and he has had a slew of tracks and remixes with the likes of Jeff Retro, Fixx, J-Break, and Agent K & Deuce.
This new compilation features tracks from Sharaz, Brad Smith, DJ Rennixx, DJB, DJ Icey, and Backdraft. It also features remixes from Aquasky and Masterblaster, Goodfellas, and DJ X. This disc starts off into full-on party mode with the Brad Smith song "Overload." The raunchy bass and phenomenal build-up is what has made him so popular with the breaks fans for years now. It is a bit of a harsh way to start the CD, but once you're one minute in, it's a non-stop party. Mondo seamlessly stitches that song into "Hip Hop Don't Stop" by Klubbheads. This 303 remix has a sampled vocal of the title that is cut and chopped throughout the song. The driving bassline and ringing synth riffs keep the energy high.
Next up is one of the best songs of 2004. "Labrat" (which I have no idea why it is titled that) by Backdraft has a cool old school sample in it with a pounding nu-school bass line and funky drum patterns.
Agent K & Deuce take production chores on the next track "19 19 Breaker." The song has dirty loops tied to some eerie sounds and the continuous "19 19 Breaker" vocal. The pilot/producer/DJ Sharaz unloads his hot track "Freek of the Week." The bass riffs are clouded with hard kick drum and the female vocals are complimented with the occasional Snoop Dogg "bounce." This track is meshed with another track from a Florida native, DJB.
His new track "Kinger" is given some knob-twisting by nine other than; you guessed it, Agent K & Deuce. The Martin Luther King Jr. "free at last" sample is layered over winding loops and some electro-fying drum rhythms. This song is true to form for Agent K & Deuce. DJ Fixx and DJ Rennixx show up with their duo track, "More Science." In this mix DJ X handles the remix. The samples range from some Fabolous vocals to a loop from "Funky Cold Medina." The scratching blends nicely with hard bassline and funked up hits. In the number ten spot on this disc is the artist FrequenZ. He comes forth with his track "Swangin." Some acid-style loops are put together with a robotic vocal and a fierce build-up to a real hardcore break down. DJ Fixx makes another appearance to "Rock tha Party". It sounds like Fixx pulled out his ray-gun on this one. The wild synth sounds, funky percussion and scratching are all glued to a broken bass line and you even get the house music gospel according to Fixx. The breakbeat legend himself, DJ Icey, drops his track "Version: Chant." On this track Icey uses the ragga vocals of Rex Dog. The bass line is so raw and crunchy; it is a definite speaker blower.
Ending this disc just the way it began is Baitercell and Schumaker with "What's Down Low." The remixing duo of Aquasky and Masterblaster handle the reworking of this track. The melodic vocals take you away as the filtered bass is drawn throughout the track. The vocals are chopped and laced through different parts of the track along with banging drum patterns.
This CD is a true representation of what to expect from Mondo. This series is gaining momentum along with entire breaks movement. Be prepared, it is coming.
