Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Last Call" (Helmut Ebritsch remix) - (7:30) 124 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Offline" - (7:13) 124 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Expilicito" - (6:45) 123 BPM
Carlos Sanchez - "This Thinks" - (8:58) 123 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Claves De Ti" (Audio Junkies remix) - (7:31) 125 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Banadera Blanca" - (8:38) 126 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Koh Samui" - (6:51) 126 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Purple Or White" (Monoroom remix) - (7:44) 123 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Etnias" - (7:06) 126 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "I Say Tirorije" - (7:46) 124 BPM
Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray - "Mr Robin" - (7:38) 126 BPM
Funkwerkstatt - "Standwaage" (Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray remix) - (6:59) 124 BPM
Jose Armas - "Travieso" (Carlos Sanchez & DJ Ray remix) - (7:48) 125 BPM
Review: On the evidence of this collection of original material and remixes, it sounds like Sanchez and Ray have nailed a sound and stuck to it. While their take on Jose Armas's "Travieso" has some techy chords and the odd screechy riff, the main approach here is drum-heavy, loopy house. Original material like "Bandera Blanca" and the duo's version of Funkwerkstatt's "Standwaage" are underscored by irresistible vocal samples and subtle filters. But it's not all DJ tool tracks: on "Koh Samui", they show that there are other influences at play as snappy percussion and infectious one-note bleeps ensure that they don't get stuck in a tool house rut.
Review: Top names in tech house assemble for the second installment of Hottrax's Paradise series. Following on from the first release, the label's second outing will feature three more quality cuts. Up first is Lowwax founder Carlos Sanchez, who serves up the bass-driven peak time adrenaliser "Rigmarole", Hot Creations and Material artist Sizeup is next with "Calypso" - this deep and druggy number with swing-fuelled rhythms goes deeper into the afterhours and finally Monoky & Luis Miranda team up again for "Leggo" - a funky and sun-kissed tech house number that is a perfect track to end the summer season on The White Isle.
