The second disc is very different from its predecessor; disc two ushers in many familiar names with an array of unfamiliar sounds. Loz’ Remix of Yousef’s “Way Of Life” is a spooky and devilishly tender opener, running xylophone over wooden blocks as water over creek pebbles. “Just Us (Blakdoctor Voice Mix),” mist-laden and full of intrigue, trails behind before segueing into Derrick Carter’s retrospective mix of DJ Q’s “Glasgows Jazz” – thus beginning a succession of snare- and stab-laden dance music that provides the sort of oldskool atmosphere where the only sounds to speak of originate from airy, cautious vinyl records. Johnny D’s “Manipulation” brings back the contemporary to Yousef’s second disc and, stage having thus been set, Gabriel Ananda’s delicious bump-and-grind “Dopplewhipper” swoops and dives through its techy entrails. It is arguably the disc’s most compelling track and should be savored like a piece of red meat. Yousef reaches back to some of 2008’s most famous with the inclusion of classics such as Guy J’s remix of Sasha’s “Mongoose,” Carl Craig’s rework of Faze Action’s “In The Trees” and Dubfire’s rendition of Radio Slave’s “Grindhouse.” The latter half of Yousef’s mix follows a similarly minimalistic path, representing a stark divergence from the uppity west coast house vibe of the first disc. Yousef then re-infuses his second mix with smooth, swinging jazz-house by the likes of Tim Deluxe and “Come Home,” one of Yousef’s very own. ‘Cameras ready, prepare to flash!’ breaks the artificial silence: Green Velvet’s classic track “Flash,” naughtily remixed by Danny Tenaglia himself, rips through the aforementioned placidity with a tribalistic funk to match the aura of the DJ behind Cr2’s Circus Vol. 1, stapling firmly into place an otherwise otherworldly collection of music that (in any other DJ’s hands) would seem mismatched and uncharacteristically bold.

But that is, perhaps, the quality which Yousef embodies most successfully with this eclectic release – uncharacteristic boldness. Do the mixes make sense? Scarcely, by convention’s standards. But, in sampling an album mixed by an artist as varied and uncompromising as Yousef, we must ask ourselves: Is it conventionality that we are really after? Chances are that if you dig this album, the answer is a resounding ‘hell no!’ But as the discs together interweave deep house, jazz-fusion, minimal techno and bass-laden soul into a singular driving beast, it ought to be the listener who ultimately decides whether this latest release from Cr2 Records jives or dives.

- James Woodruff

What is often more refreshing about electronic music these days is when someone doesn’t try and reinvent the wheel, I mean let’s face it the wheel is pretty good already so giving it some stupid pretentious name like ‘minimal’, which ironically means basic and is where house music inevitably began, decades ago, doesn’t blind the educated. It’s fun for the fashionistas to revisit 70’s flare or 80’s neon trends but tragically it is admitting that we have simply run out of ideas, creativity is dead and we are trying to innovate by repeating the past. Everyone jumps on it, because it’s ‘cool’ but frankly it’s just bad music. So Baroque dumped Exploring Italy on my desk about a month ago, fortunately mixed by Slok and not some ‘cool’ basic house type. A month ago?! Shit man, pull your finger out! It’s not the bloody History Channel. You might think that and I apologize but in my defense when I received the single CD mix in the post I wasn’t expecting to fall in love or in fact even flirt with this CD for so long. Good music in this modern minefield of techno tripe is hard to come by, so I holidayed for a while.

The CD begins with “And The Night Moves On” which is a solid groovy house effort, setting things up nicely for the slightly more tech-tinged “Trouble” by Alex Costa and Phonic Lab’s “Vae Vistis”. Slok’s contribution to the mix is not limited to his DJ attributes, Alessandro’s production work has contributed to some progressive classics over the years and he lends a hand again with one of three Slok slices on the disc with ‘15^th Step’ – acid laden bass oozes funk. A slightly more tribal sound dominates the mid-mix with T Orlando’s “Sunbathing On The Moon” being the highlight with some wicked horns and nice techy percs. The undoubted standout for the mix is the transition from Flavio Vecchi & Marco Bertoni’s “Look At Me” into Slok’s “Exploring”. Exploring is electric wizardry and a killer mix. The CD rounds of with Slok’s Collaboration with Roberto Procaccini & Skype and the monstrous bass heavy “The Last Question” from Manuel De La Mare.

Flow and quality, all sourced from Alessandro’s native Italy – It’s a delight to hear good music again.

Plus you get an unmixed version to slam in your CDJ’s – good work Baroque!

9/10

Words: G.Johnson

Previous Master’s Series heavy-weights have recognised the need to provide a collectors item, more than just a throwaway cover CD of tracks – an instant consumer classic. One of those CD’s that sits in your collection and is recalled from time to time to provide a solid listen, JZ certainly understood the attention to detail that such a mix requires. CD1 starts with some neat street bustle before the lead of Michna – Believe In It sets the mood and provides the chillout you can expect throughout the first disc. Spoken words aid the drop into Always Something Better and establish further the melancholy of the mix, some orderly scratching offers up some welcome funk. The familiar samples continue with an air steward clearly commanding some ‘seventies sci-fi’ synths, Kuriaki – Express would of had a suitable home on Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds – A dramatic masterpiece. Throughout CD1, there are interlaced samples from downtown streets, right through to cosmic whispers of teleportation. One such quote introduces the clippy percussion on Pattern 4 with atmospheric chords sustaining the mood. More fuzzy leads dominate the disc, a haunting theme that provides an intense listen. R3volve’s All That You Lost is probably the stand out track of the disc, its epic melody lifts the mix – dispelling the gloom of the opening half. An impressive transition into Meet Your Maker assists in this transformation. The closing quarter of the CD treats us to some drum n bass, Plaid’s Marry begins the tempo change before Quivver’s recent gem Chasing A Feeling rounds it off, the sombre melody of Departing Gate completes the disc. All in, the first disc is a satisfying still – expect a jump around from the second disc.

More effects, pads and vocal samples begin the second disc, before a distorted snare dumps us into the plonky driven rhythm of Komytea – Afghanistan plenty of saturation brings on the break which vigorously fills with acid. The rhythm builds further with a delayed kick before the main build puts your head somewhere between a fax modem and a shuttle launch – expect intergalactic invoices. As confusing as that explanation may be, it perfectly details the first track. Paul Woolford delivers another stomper and JZ’s switch plonks the mix straight back in the groove, this melody is killer. Reversed beats introduce a dirty sounding filtered synth, this synth and the melody duel throughout Surrender – it’s a battle that ends in the creation of a wicked track. Next up is the roaring bass of Extrawelt’s Added Planet and the zippy trippery of some trademark Zabiela scratching, the scratching is clever, adding a further percussive quality. The bass driven progression continues through Surface Scan and JZ’s own track Darkness 2, the latter featuring some insane chopped vocals and well composed poppy synth work. The flow picks up with techno Fins Komytea’s second feature on the disc, Professional Killers is a rocker with more looped vox and a wicked lead in the break – one for the rave lizards! Further vocal slicing from Nachtmensch and a thumping bass line will keep you bopping. So far removed from the first disc, the second is a definite rave mix installed with faultless programming of some quality techno. Energy Flash and Alex Millan’s Modern Love transcend proceedings into a more housey affair, Modern Love’s lead is heavy on the sustain and creates a wave of sound that is nicely punctuated by a slammin’ beat. Another of Zabiela’s tracks Perseverance follows before Luomo & Apparat get euphoric with Love You All. CD2 closes with Oliver Koletzki’s Since You Are Gone, finishing things nicely with the return of some choppy vocals and some serious filtering and slicing from JZ.

For me it’s a 9 out of 10, buy it and expect it to become a favourite.

Words: G. Johnson.

You can catch James’ second blog here.

]]> http://www.ibeats.co.uk/2009/02/15/james-zabiela%e2%80%99s-renaissance-masters-series-review/feed/ 0 http://www.ibeats.co.uk/2008/10/30/shapeshifters-in-the-house-review/ http://www.ibeats.co.uk/2008/10/30/shapeshifters-in-the-house-review/#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:03:07 +0000 Vini http://www.ibeats.co.uk/?p=1235 The Shapeshifters’ are mostly synonymous with their hugely popular balearicy anthem of 2002 ‘Lola’s Theme’, which despite being heavily overplayed, was an undeniable floor filler, and when aired today, generates happy clubbing memories. These days the boys (Max and Simon) are signed to Defected and have been spending muchos time toiling in the studio. They are on fine form and still clearly have what it takes to shake shit up.…

The Shapeshifters’ are mostly synonymous with their hugely popular balearicy anthem of 2002 ‘Lola’s Theme’, which despite being heavily overplayed, was an undeniable floor filler, and when aired today, generates happy clubbing memories. These days the boys (Max and Simon) are signed to Defected and have been spending muchos time toiling in the studio. They are on fine form and still clearly have what it takes to shake shit up.

A journey over 3 CDs, this is possibly Defected’s pioneering release of 2008. CD1 holds a classic, warm house flavour throughout, while also airing the boy’s passion for that deep underground sound. Productions from Mike Monday (‘I Dream of Ducks’) plus Danzim and Haze (‘Strike’) are total audio gold. CD2 will keep you smiling still, and picks up the pace a bit with a pleasing re-mixed retrospective of classic dance tracks from the last decade.

CD3 is the icing and cherries on top of the cake, and in adding a CD with this content, speaks volumes as to why Defected Records have stayed at the head of their game since day dot. Opening with Al Green’s ‘Look What you have done to me’ and dropping in other jems such as Adamski’s ‘Killer’, Tears for Fears’ Head Over Heels’ plus Frankie Knuckles’ all time favourite ‘Tears’, the final CD is a much welcomed surprise. For anyone who is truly passionate about house music, but more importantly doesn’t put their musical tastes into one box, this compilation is a must have!

]]>

Sixteen tracks grace the disc, which itself is a murky, misty and a bit eerie journey through the lower regions of electronica consciousness. The tracks, like mist, vaporize from one ambient crescendo to the next with male vocals. “Souls,” “Slick” and “Cruse” are perfect examples of the creation of this atmosphere. Other tracks, though fewer in number, carry a bit of uptempo energy such as the title track, “Barcoded.” At this pace, electronica can seem soothing, almost inspiring – like catching a memorable sunset.

In a world of raging dancefloors and body-thumping techno, Skank Sinatra prove that electronica continues to occupy its respective niche in the dance culture.

~ James Woodruff

For all its eclecticism, Simian Mobile Disco manages to weave an articulate tapestry out of ordinarily disorienting building blocks. The album opens with Sisters of Transistors’ “The Don,” an organ-laden track sifted over layers of synthesizers that locks into place the mix’s forthcoming colorful, sometimes tongue-in-cheek nature. The duo waste no time in giving us the galactic electro-funk treatment (Smith N Hack’s “Space Warrior,” Discodeine’s “Joystick”) before diving headfirst into an orgy of bass-heavy techno and tech-house. “Up Tool” and “Miura” ride decibels to dizzying heights, digressing into minimal-tech fusion briefly before taking flight again following “Huncut Hacuka.”

The stuff of Simian Mobile Disco’s live performances, the beloved chunkiness of contemporary electro-house, first drops during “Aemono” and ends only with the disc itself. Tracks both old and new grace this stretch of sound; I would have thought I was listening to performances by John Acquaviva or Roger Sanchez, because SMD’s static style releases electricity enough to level roofs. Jelo & Deadmau5 contribute to the floor-stomping heat prior to an ear-singeing sequence through Simon Baker’s remix of SMD’s “Sleep Deprivation,” Popof’s acidic “The Chomper (LSD Version),” Raymond Scott’s “Cindy Electronium” and Paul Woolford’s fantastically wicked “Erotic Discourse.” Sequences like these never fail to have me moving. “Cameras ready, prepare to flash!” – Green Velvet’s inclusion is an excellent and diverse look into past electronica with a vocal hook nearly as catchy as that of “Percolator.” But a look into the past, according to Simian Mobile Disco, is just what they’ve intended. From the Fabric press notes, “We weren’t aiming to make it the most current mix of tunes. Of course there will be a few new things but a lot of it is us digging back into our record collections, just the stuff that people may have forgotten about, or that went overlooked.”

Having left few genres completely untouched, Simian Mobile Disco wrap up their seventy-two minutes of Fabric fame with The Walker Brothers’ “Nite Flights,” bringing an appropriately offbeat curtain to one of the most interesting FabricLive compilations since Spank Rock’s 33rd. Though not always the easiest type of music to listen to, FabricLive 41 certainly promises to be one of the most sought compilations of the summer.

~ James Woodruff

Disc One (“Inside”) embraces colorful, mucky and gritty minimal-tech. Like wind rushing between city buildings, the sound on this disc carries more force than it cares to show. Despite its near-phantomlike presence, I found myself bouncing around to the music as I had a listen. I argue that this type of musical incongruity sometimes makes for a better listening experience, and reminds me of the M_nus label afterhours party I attended in Detroit after D.E.M.F.’s second day. Astonishingly fresh minimal that can actually be danced to is refreshing, and now that I have come to terms with the fact that the prior king of grimy tribal has moved on to other territories, the Lawler watermark continues to cast a veritable shadow over a new genre of 4 A.M. clubbing madness. Less mad than disc two, “Inside” shows a clear progression in Lawler’s new path as a class DJ. Highlights include “Give It A Go,” “Loosey Goosey (Reboot Rework),” “Ramper (Patrick Zigon Remix)” and “Grains (TG Remix).”

The second disc, “Outside,” feels like anything in the world other than a romp around the dewy fields of electronica the title suggests. “Outside” takes minimal to places where sunlight is merely a concept, never a reality. In short, the type of place Steve Lawler has been dominating since the beginning. “Outside” unleashes a wave of exceptional new releases; echoic and murky sounds rhythmically drip and trickle into place like water from ceiling pipes in a cellar. Miss Fritz’ passive “Drifting On” segues into the stellar and demonic tone of Nivek Tsoy’s “Time and Space.” Most of Lawler’s selections are dissimilar pieces of music taken alone. For me, they combine to form a descending staircase leading to all sorts of delightfully clandestine activites: masquerades, liquor and sweat. To follow the second disc’s progression is to witness, in an entirely different realm of EDM, that which Lawler became famous for in the tribal and progressive house circuits. Other tracks worth mentioning (though all are fantastic) are “Diskotecktonik,” “Cambio,” “Symphony for the Apocalypse,” “Perception” and “The Astropop Shop.”

Viva: Toronto clearly outclasses both its “Viva” predecessors. With choice electronic cuts in all directions, I found that it was truly difficult for these discs to lose my attention. Lawler puts all the meat on one bone and emerges with a strong, energetic and intriguing compilation album. Leave it to Lawler to take minimal under his covert wing and make it appealing!

~ James Woodruff

Electric 03 is an entirely middle-of-the-road musical mixture. It neither plunges into hypnotic waters nor skirts waves of frenzied enthusiasm. I have found the most enjoyment from Korbel’s mix whilst driving on country roads in the evening, or working late at my desk. The modesty of the album might just be a reflection of the man behind the decks. Says Korbel, ‘The record company said I could choose all the music… I nominated 60 tracks, they got 59 cleared for use so I put together the mix 100 per cent. They even went so far as to emphasize they didn’t want me to appease them in any way.’ Thus, Electric 03 is an accurate reflection of the balance brought to the dancefloor by an already balanced DJ talent with a decade of longevity under his belt. It is a rare window into the mind of the musician, and one that dance fans world-wide certainly should be aware of.

The first eight tracks remind me of an exceptionally good opening set for DJ’s such as Nic Fanciulli or Ricardo Villalobos – And, despite losing my attention between ‘Want 2 Shake With U’ and ‘ASB (Mirko Remix)’ – Electric 03 gains body and momentum at Der Dritte Raum’s ‘Luna Llena,’ after which it maintains a Danny Howells-esque flavor that lasts until its closing moments – in good company, it may be worth mentioning, with the likes of Ricardo Villalobos, Horror Inc., Matt O’Brien and an LFO/Fuse collaboration.

Ben Korbel embarks upon his maiden voyage as a compilation DJ with one admirable purpose in mind: To create a mix compilation of his own conception that reflects his skill and taste as a DJ. To wit, he does just that. Neither flashy nor cerebral, Electric 03 has sex appeal, electronic taste and the unique watermark of its creator behind each and every smoothly-crafted curve. For fans of deep tech-house, contemporary electronica and the Balance moniker itself, this one is in every way worth a listen.

~ James Woodruff

The first mix’s blend of modern and vintage EDM moves easily and lingers sweetly. And judging by the ominously thunderous (literally) intro “Seagull,” it is fair to say that this mix is the ultimate ‘calm before the storm.’ SOS weave a spectacularly diverse yet calming tapestry for the ears, blending one truly sublime track after another together. From “Gliding (Hypnotherapy)” to “Slow River” and past “Starstrings (Instrumental),” the whole sequence feels like a dream – a dream which, to my ears, comes to a head with a massive eight-track sequence – one of the best I’ve heard on any album of 2008 – beginning with Imagination’s “Just An Illusion (Lindstrom Dub) (SOS Edit)” and ending, properly, with The Cure’s “Lullaby.” In this case to hear is to believe, though – and, at any rate, the SOS Edit of Bryan Ferry’s “Don’t Stop The Dance (12” Remix)” is… brilliant! The first mix of Balance 013 proves to be one of 2008’s best.

Apparently, there is limit to the scope SOS is willing to encompass with Balance 013. And I suppose if Demi, Omid and Desyn can use one blinding track to close one fantastic mix disc, why not edit the track to open the following mix? The Cure’s “Lullaby” serves precisely this function. It works so well, but it takes Dusty Kid’s “Luna” to truly propel the second disc’s bubbly springtime buds into full blossom. I’m convinced this is progressive house music done right. The second mix has a lot of tracks that can be described as wild, enthusiastic representations of what was thrown down at SOS’ album launch parties in Miami during WMC. I’ll never fail to remember blue skies and gentle water when I hear this mix – But SOS proves its ability to pace a mix collection of this magnitude/length. The DJs even manage to inject minimal tech-house with Ink & Needle’s “Six” > Middleman’s “Dum Dum” before swinging back into “Big Fun (Edit)” and Joeski’s superb “Caribe Elektrico (Outer Limits Mix)” – both revive the boat party atmosphere. The second mix, however fun and diverse, makes no attempt to cast a shadow over the other two discs. Instead, it is a rather bright and bouncy steppingstone between the first and third mixes, with flavor from each mixed together in perfect proportion and gently closing with “Logos.”

You heard it here first – disc three is off the HOOK! In my mind, Balance 013’s third mix embodies the concept surrounding the formation of a collective like SOS. Desyn, Demi and Omid drop sick beats, sleazy house, twisted funk and explosive rhythms! The live, anthemic qualities of “Salome” indicate great things to come but are hardly capable of capturing the whole image. The first nine or ten tracks resemble Desyn Masiello’s previous Balance discs; the sequence is bright and funky… and thus, a great segue into the latter half of disc 3 from the previous mix’s less intense attitude. Genre-bending madness ensues, beginning with Loco Dice’s “City Lights (Martin Buttrich Remix)” > Michael Ho’s “Kiss The Wasp.” SOS subject us to a bit of ‘Miami Vice’-style house courtesy of Kingpin Cartel and the Alessi Brothers, but also manage to infuse some familiar tunes that touch on the trancier side of dance music – including an SOS Edit of “Shadow Movement” and Bastian’s “Game Over.” After free-floating at the dizzying heights that “Savin’ The Day (SOS Edit)” and “Luna (Johnny and Peps Remix)” sustain, “Think Twice” blooms from out of nowhere with a burst of trumpet, saxophone and jazz guitar – ultimately, very Chicago-House. All of this activity is really quite overwhelming and it is odd how quickly Omid’s comforting closer, “Full of E_mpty,” can quiet the mind.

This is likely the best compilation to be released so far this year, and certainly the best progressive house compilation of 2008. Not only that, Balance 013 very firmly cements EQ’s credentials in the ceaseless world of big-label compilation competition. SOS creates music that manages the difficult task of capturing the unique essences of each DJ. At the same time, the three combined talents (just like the three discs) join forces to create a unified spectrum of dance music that surpasses anything of its kind in recent memory. Demi, Desyn Masiello and Omid 16B’s work here is absolutely unprecedented!

Disc 1:

1. Omid 16b – Seagull
2. AN-2 – Wide Open
3. Modern Heads feat Pig & Dan – Gliding (Hypnotherapy)
4. Omid 16b – The Final Choice
5. Christian Smith & John Selway – Slow River
6. LFO – Nurture (Surgeon Remix)
7. Speedy J – De-Orbit
8. Jody Wisternoff – Starstrings (Instrumental)
9. Aeroplane – Caramellas
10. Chymera – Umbrella (Beatless Mix)
11. Imagination – Just An Illusion (Lindstr�m Dub) (SOS Edit)
12. DJ Frtizo – Pimms By The Pool (SOS Remix)
13. Bryan Ferry – Don’t Stop The Dance (12″ Remix) (SOS Edit)
14. Jan Driver – Kardamoon
15. MC Sultan – Der Bauch
16. Brandy – The Ritual (Chateau Flight Remix)
17. Cocteau Twins – Cherry Coloured Funk (Seefeel Remix)
18. The Cure – Lullaby

Disc 2:

1. The Cure – Lullabye (SOS Edit)
2. Dusty Kid – Luna
3. Josel – Digiboy (DJ Tarkan & V-Sag Remix)
4. Nima Gorji – Whatever
5. Spirit Catcher – Brain Candy
6. Kollektiv Turmstrasse – Wagnis
7. Marsmobil – Mangia Amore (Makossa & Megablast Remake) (Lucas Abadi Edit)
8. The Blacklight Society – 2028
9. Whizz Kidzz – Fly High (SOS Edit)
10. Aeroplane / Corporation of One – Aeroplane (Dub) / The Real Life (SOS Edit)
11. Sugar Caine Pres. Bionik Phunk – Once In A Lifetime (Dub) (SOS Edit)
12. Marc Romboy vs Stephan Bodzin – Atlas
13. Slytek – Spin Out (Neon Skin Mix)
14. Ink & Needle – Six
15. Middleman – Dum Dum
16. Inner City – Big Fun (Edit)
17. Joeski – Caribe Elektrico (Outter Limits Mix)
18. Henrik B – Logos

Disc 3:

1. Speedy J – Fill 17
2. Joash – Salome
3. Aeroplane – Pacific Air Race (Dub)
4. Paul Keeley – A Sort Of Homecoming (SOS Edit)
5. DJ Pippi & David Penn – Do U Feel It (The Piano Mix) (SOS Edit)
6. AFX – VBS.Redlof.B
7. Dimitri – Here She Comes (Elektrokid Remix)
8. Kid Massive – Release (Raoul Dub)
9. Levan – Miau
10. Ozze – Bend The Rules
11. Loco Dice – City Lights (Martin Buttrich Remix)
12. Michael Ho – Kiss The Wasp
13. Ytre Rymden Dansskola – Kjappfot
14. Kingpin Cartel – Moogie Nights (SOS Edit)
15. Michael Cassette – Shadow’s Movement (SOS Edit)
16. Bastian – Game Over
17. Alessi Brothers – Savin’ The Day (SOS Edit)
18. Stereo Brains – Luna (Jhonny and Peps Remix)
19. The Detroit Experiment – Think Twice
20. Omid 16b – Full Of E_mty

- James Woodruff

John Digweed first displays layering techniques in the fusion between “From Empty Lands” and “Geko.” When combined, these tracks churn and mix to create impressively deep and rich strides with unfamiliar tribal momentum. As melody slowly trickles in, the delicacy of the groove recalls Hernan Cattaneo’s Sequential Vol. 2. Like Cattaneo’s brilliant edits and mixing on his last disc, Digweed shows similar attention to craft and detail. Clearly this is a thinking man’s mix, a distant echo from the sandblasting techno John has been rocking the clubs with – from the Winter Music Conference to his North American Club Tour – and apparently, this is the target mark. To quote the man himself, “I’ve used modern production techniques to create an album that’s unlike anything you’ll ever hear me do in a club.”

Despite being the delicately balanced electronic house of cards it is, Transitions 4 – as do John’s other installments – graciously dodges the bullet that is ‘glitchy’ minimal-tech. The trick, as time has shown, is to embrace the medium of a particular type of bass and percussion acting like a musical undertow. The melody, rhythm and all else is ensnared and reshaped by such exotic forces. “Wear Your Scars Like Medals”/”Suspicious Blue”/”Shack 54 (Jet Project Remix)” and “Pitch It (Claude VonStroke Remix)”/”Keep Her Space (Smith & Selway’s Control Mix” embody the raw force of a driven undertow and lend Transitions 4 a powerful presence amongst its contemporaries. Celebrated tracks like the Ink & Needle Remix of Jerome Sydenham & Tiger Stripes’ “Elevate” in concert with Guy J’s “Under Pressure” cement some familiarities into the foundation of John’s latest laboratory creation, which tops off with an absolutely fantastic selection: Mixing both the Original and Gone Wild versions of “Piknic Bugz” into a twelve and a half minute epic bomb, Digweed closes Transitions 4 with unrequited supremacy. “Piknic Bugz” has been no stranger to John’s club roster in 2008, but this layered version is one of the best tracks to be included on any Transitions release.

A well-played game of chess, the latest `Transitions’ release extends John’s winning streak to four. Although he never ceases to amaze me in a club, this disc strikes the chord of opposition in regards to his live performances. Ideally, any great DJ should be able to play both sides of the field with ease; in John Digweed, we find exactly this type of charisma. Infusing the Midas touch on yet another ample collection of brilliant tracks, John extends the limits of a studio DJ’s production capabilities to the fourth dimension.

1. Julien Parise – A5B (Mirko Remix)
2. Henry Saiz – From Empty Lands
- Guy J – Geko
3. Jeff Bennett – In Spite
- Kabale und Liebe & Daniel Sanchez – Mumbling Yeah (Loco Dice Tribute Remix)
4. Nightguy – Pretty Face
- Henry Saiz – From Tangled Seas
- Myers Briggs – Forever
5. Sian – Wear Your Scars Like Medals
- Kim Runic – Suspicious Blue
- Two Lone Swordsmen – Shack 54 (Jet Project Remix)
6. Plasmik – Pitch It (Claude VonStroke Remix)
- Jamie Stevens – Keep Her Space (Smith & Selway’s Control Mix)
7. Jerome Sydenham & Tiger Stripes – Elevation (Ink & Needle Remix)
- Guy J – Under Pressure
8. Pascal Feos & Marc Mirror – Rezolution
- Spector – Mineral Drive (Jamie Stevens Remix)
- Jorg Burger – Superpicture
9. Pig & Dan – Dreams Of Bells
- Emmanuel – Parade (Original Mix)
10. Soliquid – Piknic Bugz (Original Mix)
- Soliquid – Piknic Bugz (Gone Wild Mix)

-James Woodruff (LexAffection, vaya)

“With respect to Patrick :)”