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TESTSPINZ 014
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  REVIEWS Testspinz: Albums + Singles This week’s AVANTRAX by: DJ Spooky Send vinyl 12"/CD for review consideration to:
Depth (depth) n. 1. The quality or condition of being deep; deepness: specifically, a) intensity, as colors, silence, emotion, etc. b) profundity of thought c) lowness of pitch. All of these definitions can describe the music, character and personality that shines through the amazing diversity of sound being created by one DJ Depth. As I listened to the variety of each composition and rhythms created by this amazing DJ/Producer I began to drift off into musical bliss. From the melodic soul of Rolling Deep, the driving beats of Euro Garbage, the drum & bliss of Liquid Glass and on to the even harder pulsating beats of Ohm-I-Tate (Rough Mix), I began to believe that depth was definitely the appropriate word to describe this artist and his creations. A musical journey entailing all classifications, styles and genres of music. Each piece is distinctly unique and moving in its own way. There are very few artists who push the creative envelope and create music from the heart and with the diversity that DJ Depth does. No matter what your musical tastes, you are guaranteed to come away appreciating what this artist has done for the world of electronic music. Wunjo
Ladies and gentlemen, after placing the disk in its proper location, making sure it's seated properly, press the PLAY button on your Hi Fi stereo. You can then begin your "journey into sound"—one filled with dimension and depth. The dynamic frequency range you hear will begin to transform your space into the ideal setting for a modern retro-futuristic experience. Sit back, relax and enjoy the waves of color and sound as they clash into a modern day Kaleidoscope. Trip out on the groovy sounds of the future, letting your thoughts drift into the past. Or trip out on the sounds of the past, letting your thoughts drift into the future. The experience can be all yours or it can be shared with others of like-minded thinking, perhaps allowing for stimulating philosophical discussion. Yes indeed, no need to look any further for the experience of the future right in your own home. Remember, all of these extraordinary tunes are brought to you by those fine people at the Ninja Tune label, in particular the audio-culinary specialist(s) known as DJ Food. Wunjo
With the first bump of the bass you know that this tune is certified party-movin' hip-hop. The Los Angeles-based group Jurassic 5 has given the seemingly stagnant and ailing hip-hop world a shot of rejuvenation. The group's MCs, Chali 2NA, Zaakir, Akil, and Marc 7 combine harmoniously on the chorus to give your ear the old-school sound while at the same time hitting your mind with lyrics that make you think. Backing up these four are two DJs, NuMark and Cut Chemist who produce the beat for the latest single, Quality Control. This beat is so nice even your grandma could funk out to it. With a bouncy hook you can try to harmonize with, this is a sure-fire summertime anthem. The little sounds of people in the background seem to be cheering all heads and booties to the dance floor. AWT
Mixing between the sounds of tomorrow and the pace of today is Lexis' Branch of Knowledge. The majority of harder sounds that are coming out of the UK nowadays would scare your grandma into a coma. This is a great mix of sounds that transmit the hard and soft at the same time. It is not your usual drum & bass but it works in this case. Check out the album regardless of what makes your body bop, as you will find a groove to make you move somewhere in the mix. AWT
With the rolling basslines punctuating the building synth chords coming in and out of these tracks you should be moved into hard action. The EP has five songs; one track Coastin' is remixed long, giving you just a cross section of the capabilities of Mr. Miles' creative powers. This EP flows from first snare-smack to the last fade of the final bassline. A definite good builder--one to get the wallflowers away from holding up the walls. AWT
Ready to float away? Then pop in Diorama, Sprit Zone's May release of the month. Master ambient-alchemist Jens Paulsen's third CD as Patchwork is both dreamy and dancey. Ambient interludes meet electro expeditions meet trance trips. They meld into a delightful melt that's laid-back, yet upbeat and right on target. Also released on Spirit Zone are Patchwork's first CD Odeon, 12" Earwax and last year's phenomenal Marsmellow. Sprout
Fusing together the deep, warbly, heavy bass-hits of drum & bass with slower, thicker, heavier-hitting breakbeat, adding dashes of raw & heavy mid-range attack, these tracks deliver a precedent-setting sound with an emphasis on HEAVY. This release bounces from slamming breaks to hip-hop to electro to slow drum & bass--the powerful NU-School sound that Botchit & Scarper has come to define. One top track is Scissorkicks' "electro-barrio mix" of Full Moon Scientist's freaky, tribalistic tune, We Demand a Shrubbery. Thick, hard-hitting breakbeats, with the 100% guaranteed-to-please bassline, highlighted by what sounds to me like a frantic Native American chanting ceremony. Other incredible tracks are Freq Nasty's tripped-out & funky Incredible Acoustic Properties, and Boomin' Back Atcha'--Aliens ate my b-line mix, Raw Deal's psy-hop fiasco Hol' it down, and Purple Kola's spacey Mr. Spalding. All tracks hit hard and are sooo quality. The second CD in this pounding package is a mixed montage by Freq Nasty, including several bonus tracks, my favorite by BLIM, a junglistic beatscientist gone mad. Overall, a remarkably excellent release. The only downside might be its over-the-top hard edge and pervading dark & urban mood, which could prove to make it inaccessible to some. Lorin
Chill:in Volume Two is that lazy summer Sunday morning we love so much. Initially traveling through a near-traditional ambient track, Kearn (James Holden) adds in the texture and a faintly melodic beat--you're wondering how much coffee you have, why the front door is open, and why you didn't notice that beat coming up. Scratching your head at the door, you find an urban, downtempo rhythm ("sidewaze," "nightsource") with tasteful, not-overdone vocals. Kruder and Dorfmeister bring in a Dave Brubeck-ish Definition, helping you decide what you want to eat: yogurt and fruit, or potatoes. Sail (Aim featuring Kate Rodgers) reflects on the prior night's shenanigans, with rhythmic thoughts and feelings of warmth. The Athome Project mixes "summertime" dub with sunshine and then your full belly satisfied. Chill:in combines a soulful rhythm, a gentle, familiar beat with blues samples done right and a distant flare from Herbie Hancock. Kickin records does it again, with another mellow, chill-day experience no one should do without. JZ-Wicked
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