Review: The joy of the digital download editions of the DJ Kicks series is not so much the included DJ mix - which, of course, is invariably excellent - but the accompanying full-length, DJ friendly tracks gathered by that edition's selector, in this case Elevate Berlin record store owner (and fine producer) Cinthie Christl. Her mostly club-friendly selections are little less than superb, moving from driving, organ-and-bass-rich U.S-style house (Terrence Parker, Niles Cooper, Sandil, her own exclusive 'Organ (DJ Kicks)') and life-affirming piano-house (Ruff Stuff), to deep two-step (Camion Bazar), slamming techno-funk (Anil Aras), dusty techno (Adriyano), deep breakbeat wooziness (Ben Hauke) and deep, dreamy acid jack ('Anna Wall'). In other words, it's a blindingly good selection - and Cinthie's DJ mix is wildly entertaining, too.
Review: Following a sequence of vinyl-only releases, Boo Williams returns with his first digital-only EP of 2021. The Chicago house veteran has an excellent track record, so it's no surprise to find that The Undertaker is packed with high-grade dancefloor treats. We're particularly enjoying title track 'The Undertaker', where looped, steel pan style melodies rise above a dense, extra-percussive groove, though others may prefer the jaunty jazziness of bumpin' workout 'Last Call', the jackin' deep house energy of 'Kickin', or the organ-heavy, warehouse ready bustle of 'Feel The Drive', which subtly doffs a cap to the Doctor's Cat track of the same name that was a Windy City favourite during the 1980s (mostly thanks to Music Box resident Ron Hardy championing it in his sets).
The Analogue Cops - "Shonen Jump" - (5:53) 136 BPM
Milton Bradley & Bloody Mary - "Tales From Space" - (7:33) 131 BPM
Boo Williams - "Animation" - (6:30) 125 BPM
Review: This is the 35th release on Bloody Mary's label and also marks its seventh year in operation. To mark the occasion, the label and its owner have welcomed the Analogue Cops and Milton Bradley into the fold. The former delivers a pacey, acid-filled track, "Shonen Jump", which resounds to insistent percussive whirrs and dreamy synth lines. It's unlike their usual hardware jams and offers a different side to their sound. Next up is Bradley, who collaborates with the label owner on "Tales From Space" for a tough, 303-led workout. Boo Williams' contribution, "Animation" sees the Chicago veteran deliver a disco-led workout that has echoes of Italo in its throbbing, pulsating groove.
Review: Chicago legend Boo Williams is back for London imprint Axe On Wax. "Accellerate" is the typical Windy City blues that you've come to expect from Williams: soulful, emotive and so full off deepness. Another fine purveyor of all things deep by the name of Andres from Detroit serves up a brilliant remix of the track next. This one has all the hallmarks of the Motor City deep sound as popularised by like minds KDJ, Three Chairs and the 7 Days Entertainment crew. Chicago's Jordan Fields is up next with the sexy deepness of "I Think It's You, but it's the raw and dusty remix by Italy's (yep!) Steve Murphy where the real magic is. This is some tough, hardware driven house that's seen him release previously on Lobster Theremin and Crime City Disco.
Review: Home Town Chicago came early on in windy-city veteran Boo Williams' career, and there's less of the overtly party-starting stunts that some of his contemporaries possessed, replaced by a dreamy, meditative mood that speaks more to the heart than the feet. While the music may be somewhat deep and meaningful, this is still a collection of club tracks and there's no denying the heavy funk that Boo brings. Whether it's the euphoric piano chimes of "Evil Ways" or the jerky grit of "Smokin' Acid", there's plenty of evidence of just how much punch Home Town Chicago packs, even today.
