Review: Funky house anthem "Do Your Thing" by legends Basement Jaxx was taken from the British production duo's second LP Rooty, released back in 2001. It now receives a terrific modern reshape by Spanish veteran David Penn, who injects the track with more than adequate dynamics for today's dancefloors. Penn sure had his work cut out for him, given it's such a classic, but he tackled the task with great style, and respectfully too. In addition to his main remix there's a handy edit version as well.
Review: After a sweet debut alongside Lady Marga, the ironically named R Tiste Uknown, whom we know little about, returns to the Atlantic Jaxx imprint ready for the dance, and in no mood to mess about. "Bonfire Of The Vanities" is a hybrid tune, a strange and wonderful sort of dub stepper carried forwards by choir of sci-fi horns, and general intergalactic goodness. "Night Embers" is a whole different story, a 4/4 house tune with a moody, hazy kind of tone; it's a tune that somehow managed to merge the best of the uk, Chicago and Detroit. Check it.
Review: In need of sweet chiming keys, walking basslines, pitched vocals and a bassy Tropicana vibe? Head straight to the lead cut, "The Scene", from Bigby's debut on the Basement Jaxx approved Atlantic Jaxx label. It follows releases by Immortal Scientist, aka Midland duo Slarta John and Danny James, and the mysterious Celestial Being. "This Is Bigby" is a toned down version of the lead cut featuring less of a bubble gum flair with a focus on drums, sequenced patterns and sounds designed for maximum club exposure. Furthermore, a remix of "The Scene" from Bux N Brown brings back the vocals however to a lesser extent, working the basslines and keys, with extra hi-hats added. Bona fide bangers!
Walk The Dog (Take It To The Drag Race Vogue mix) - (4:40) 130 BPM
Walk The Dog (Body Work mix) - (5:39) 119 BPM
Walk The Dog (Techno mix) - (6:15) 119 BPM
Review: According to Basement Jaxx' Felix Bunton, this is "the quintessential canine vogueing anthem" and you'll soon see why. Teaming up with local artist Mikey Woodbridge on "Walk The Dog" it's the kind of bass heavy, tongue in cheek tech house you'd expect to hear on a label like Dirtybird, complete with a variety of dog barks for your amusement. For your convenience there's the "Radio Edit", the "Club Mix". "The Take It To The Drag Race Vogue mix" which is more like a dub mix (and our favourite) and "The Techno Mix" which sees it getting a tough and jackin' tech-house makeover which will see many striking a pose or two on the dancefloor. It even has the classic "Walk For Me' sample used in all the early ballroom classic by Tronco Traxx.
Review: Atlantic Jaxx are still at it. Continuing in their pursuit of the most truly funky house. Not much is known about Celestial Being as yet, but according to the label the emerging artist is "sampling an Indian recording of the globally famous Gayatri Meditation Mantra". The track ventures into the exotic with its tough beat beneath a transcendental mantra and a bumpy, buzzing melody. The "White Sun Mix" is quite similar but has noticeably more swing in the beat and chops up the mantra for added looseness in the groove. Comes with a handy radio edit and "Blissapella" for those of you more of the adventurous persuasion.
Review: Basement Jaxx love to push new sounds through their Atlantic Jaxx imprint and they've come up trumps again with their latest release, Sunrise. Immortal Scientist is the moniker of Midland duo Slarta John and Danny James who aim to fuse African, dub, house and reggae influences. They do so with aplomb over the course of five sizzling bangers. Highlights include the pumping Afro-house of "Dancing With Fire", the fluid 'Birmingham bassline' of digi-dub protest tune "Remedy For Humans" and the totally trippy "Sunrise (dub)".
Review: Celestial Being Art Collective member Eyes, who can also be heard making tunes under the Saturn 7 moniker, steps up on Atlantic Jaxx with his debut: a box of fresh dub mixes. "Cosmic Love" with a spacey Dream Dub in deep, deeep house mode; the Higher Dream Dub lifts the groove further up into the clouds; the Main Room Mix is tamer and a touch more jacking, while the dub mix sways and stutters amid airy effects and subtle flurries of beats - definitely the winner in here! Good house vibes all round.
Review: Having recently re-entered the ring with the middle-weight comeback album Junto, this veteran South London duo have decided to deliver this cheeky heavyweight belter for all those fans wanting something with a bit more club muscle. They won't be disappointed as "Angel Is Coming" is a monster - beginning all Mr Fingers deep before expanding into properly cosmic techno-tinged delirium. These vibes are worked even further in their original dub, while "Blue Flute" is more their typical exotic carnival fare and "Jus Be Free..." wraps things up with some tasty deep acid joy.
Review: The first single to come from the BJs since their album Junto, "Rock This Road" is an emphatic Afro dynamic driven deep with harmony and that nagging buzz that lingers more and more with every listen. It lends itself really well to remixes as well as ears; highlights come from Catz N Dogz (quirky, off-kilter house flavours), Ninetoes (show-stopping breakdown and bold cowbell shimmers), More Than Gold (big dreamy synths) and the basement dub (a Classic-style Chi-town jack fest). Beyond roadworthy.
