Author: Matt Oliver

Compilation Review: ‘Playboy Sessions Paris mixed by Michael Canitrot’ (Defected)

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★★★☆☆

The keys to the kingdom in various Playboy mixes has been passed down through Dimitri from Paris, Felix da Housecat and Bob Sinclar. Michael Canitrot’s name may not roll off a perfectly poised tongue, but here’s another Frenchman, with the notable feat of taking clubbing into the Eiffel Tower, in charge of Heff’s house. He starts in extremely cool, lounging fashion (Noir & Haze), and with a mix of traditional disco and pert party funk (Gigamesh versus Cassian, Hideo Kobayashi, Roman D’amour’s filtered fabulousness) tracks that reek of sex (Lifelike & Kris Menace’s beckoning “Discopolis,” Treasure Fingers & Malente’s super-fly “Crusaders”) and a house mood prancing between leisurely and uppity, it’s more of a mishmash than expected. A solid all-round partier that’s akin to picking whether you like your centrrfolds blonde, brunette or red-headed.

Side two is definitely intended to get the Playboy Bunnies hopping and bouncing buoyantly. Familiarity is always a formidable weapon (Trent Cantrelle checking out Adina Howard, Soul Central’s “Strings of Life” holding firm), and the house session plays with (or without) a nod to the Playboy brand not being a byword for sophistication nowadays. Setting off trance-fused fireworks (Tristan Garner) and big come-together, fist-beater riffs (some as plastic as the associated anatomy), it’s clued up with summer sounds and trends, if not the most distinguished set going.
File under: Dirty South, MYNC, Aeroplane

Album Review: Philip Bader / ‘Wishful Thinking’ (Highgrade Records)

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★★★★☆

Philip Bader conveys a sensory/headachey experience that’s defiantly not a sensual one. Although the nefarious sounds can be a turn on, Wishful Thinking is of fairly Spartan, methodical bass-lead convoys where all beats are of an upright, mostly buffed resolution. The way the Berliner strengthens his authority is actually a converse and initially strange, but in the end well worked ploy, introducing grey-washed soul and post-pop featuring vocalists Ja Hier and Anna Luca, allowing him time to prep the dance floor once more for strict instruction.

Away from the meat and potatoes deep acid of “Deep End,” Bader recalibrates cosmic disco by attending to its dark side, a civilization looking to smother the glitterball, as per sour double bass funker and excellent ringleader “Soul Food.” On the techier side, “Good for Nothing” is quick on the draw with a raygun on its hip, and logically leads to the sense of danger quickening, though “Miles High” does have half an eye on the clouds.

Philip Bader watches deep and tech house unfold cross-armed like a dance floor sentinel, knowing he’s done a good job. Wishful Thinking is for those that enjoy being alone with their thoughts.
File under: Alexander Gerlach, Sascha Braemer, Nicone

Compilation Review: ‘Fabric 63 – Levon Vincent’ (Fabric)

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★★★★☆

Murky and edgy, Fabric 63 – Levon Vincent could leave you shaken by what may lie beneath. Sometimes the science of Vincent bobs up from below with a scared, in-headlights temper. That disorientation, added to the already ominous, off-kilter pianos of JM De Frias’ “Intrinsic Motivation” and DJ QU’s “Times Like This,” attempts to rise up. The heat and haze of Vincent’s “Fear” ratifies everything not being quite as it should be (though there may be redemption available at the same time), and then a manifestation into a technoid form from Joey Anderson’s “Hydrine” and Anthony Parasole’s “Tyson,” will shake you more physically.

Leaving his heat on you and his sounds peering over your shoulder, Vincent is not on the ones and twos to intimidate. He moves the crossfader with dirt under his fingernails, a headhunter in headphones with few histrionics from Houston to NYC, ordering you to move lest the sun break you down, arriving masked like a nameless vigilante. Vincent arranges a showcase for himself and for those closest to him, creating, via a funkier impasse halfway through, the musical journey idea as a mission to survive dark dance floor forces. On top of plaudits for the selector, Volume 63 is also a fillip for those thinking the Fabric series has over-saturated itself.
File under: Black Jazz Consortium, Kassem Mosse, James Teej

Compilation Review: ‘Disco Circus Vol. 3, Compiled & Mixed by Mighty Mouse’ (Bears Eat Fish)

Matt Oliver Leave a Comment

★★★★☆

The old maxim says that hardcore will never die, but disco is not giving in easily either. From fantastic in plastic to true school grooving, Mighty Mouses soundclash ensures the original sound won’t date by being take under its wing by upfront interpreters. With the record-roving rodent going back and forth in time, the merger is unashamed about leaving the joins in, between disco re-ups of Duane Eddy, shows of ’70s/’80s pride and fresh takes on the Giorgio Moroder standard, next to works from Todd Terje, Blackstrobe, Oliver and Shake Alletti.

Mighty Mouse allows for a sound that is more straight-up house, with cosmic starship trooping from Worship, and more understated, less flamboyant strands that don’t mean any less entertainment (a couple of Mighty Mouse’s own beginning disc two). Let’s not argue what disco is really meant to sound like, ‘cos with traditional circus clowns and trapezists, you’re gonna get some contortionists and firebreathers as well. There’s a lot fun to be had; utterly groovesome, and in places it will make your heart soar: RAC’s mix of Gigamesh features a space-synth reaching an impossible high. Be prepared to have a spare pair of dancing shoes with you, and watch Mighty Mouse come and save the day for a third time.
File under: Nytowl, Only Children, The Magician