Part one of this series did damage for me all summer long and part 2 is set to pick up where that one left off. Taking several cuts from a top producer, and handing them off to some of the most talented remixers in the business is a sure formula for success, as this series once again proves. Funk D’Void is up first with a dark, menacing, tension filled tech house affair, complete with evil bassline, vocal stabs and a breakdown that will rip apart any dancefloor. Perfect for setting up what is to come later, this is a mood setter of the first degree. The flip features John Tejada, dropping a much more energetic and moving remix than we usually hear from him. Driving percussion, murky bassline and a ton of power. The set wraps up with Vince Watson taking on “Emphasis” and delivering an absolutely massive mix. Lush keys, mesmerizing percussion and a ton of funky flavor, this is one of the most beautiful tracks I have heard in ages. *****(5 of 5)
Do You Know House – Mark Williams – Phont Music (Switzerland)
The true master of tribal techno and all things soulful, Mark Williams returns with 4 tracks of funky fury for Phont Music. The A Side features the title cut, with its hot tribal percussion, vocal samples and rising, old school synth line. “Sinister Forces” is up next, with some tribal madness and an amazing, lush breakdown that will help inject emotion into the most straightforward techno set. The flip features “You Are What You Are”, a blazing, funky techno drum track that lays down the smack and lays waste to anything in its path, and “Fools Paradises”, a smooth, hypnotic excursion. Truly choice material here.*****(5 of 5)
Anonymous/Release – Roman Debnar – Anonymous Recordings (US)
This second installment from Detroit based Anonymous Recordings features Roman Debnar (aka Bassfrog) and another producer who prefers to remain to remain nameless, at the controls. Side A features “Put Me In”, a smooth, simple, slow building tech house mover. With lush, rich keys and forward moving percussion, this is a beautiful track for starting a build from house towards techno. “Heckle” is up next and takes things in a more retro direction. Eliciting trippy, old school sounding synths, sexy bass and a growing rhythm track. The flip brings up 3 tracks of blissful, ambient techno that is perfect for late night, subterranean excursions. ***(3 of 5)
Girl Bust Down – DJ Spinn & DJ Rashad – Juke Trax (US)
Picking up where legendary label Dance Mania left off, Detroit based, Juke Trax drops 4 exceptional tracks of ghetto tech on your ass. “Halloween” loops up a sample from the classic horror flick and combines it with deep, pumpin 808 bass and rough drum patterns. “Girls Bust Down” is up next, with tricked out vocals, banging kicks, manic acid style bassline and a ton of booty-licious flavor. The B-side begins with the killer “That Booty”, a funky, rocking ghetto house anthem in classic style and ends with “Like It’s Hot”, another top notch, ass-shaking excursion. Top shit here.****(4 of 5)
Back Up Off Me – DJ Clent – Juke Trax (US)
This once Chicago turned Detroit classic, “Back Up Off Me” is dusted off and reissued as the latest release for Juke Trax. The A Side features 2 mixes of the title track, in both clean and dirty version. Working in some funky 909 kicks, sub bass and vocals that have been sampled, re-edited and chopped to bits, this classic has stood the test of time and come out the other end. The flip features two more memorable joints and “Bounce’ a brand new DJ Clent production.
***(3 of 5)
Big Baller EP – Coon Daddy – Databass (US)
Another in a long line of top ghetto tech from the crew at Databass in Detroit. Coon Daddy drops 4 cuts (and one instrumental) of straight bangin’, funky, electro infused funk. Stand out cuts include “Down 4 A Creep”, with its crowd rocking, call and response flavor and “Holdin The Wall”, which is a laugh out loud, party rocking jam, complete with Afro-Rican, “Give It All You Got” sampled beats. Look out for his full-length album in the near future.****(4 of 5)
