Adam Freeland - Global Underground 32: Mexico City

Adam Freeland is the DJ, label-head, and producer most often noted for the fusion of breakbeat and techno, also termed "nu-skool breaks." Therefore, I expected to hear a bit of breakbeat tradition when I inserted the Mexico City CDs into my player! After all, Freeland began DJing in 1991, originally mixing deep house and later drum 'n' bass. His remixing credits include the Orb, Headrillaz, Orbital, Deejay Punk-Roc, and Dylan Rhymes. So, if you're like me and are expecting an out-and-out breaks mix, then don't get your hopes up! Fortunately, the mix rocks in other ways, so hold on to your dance engines!!

Adam Freeland is at the forefront of a new sound, "drone step," a genre that is growing rapidly across the US, UK, and Europe, and that's roughly characterized as tripped-out rock music with a dancefloor attitude. Imagine swirling walls of hypnotic guitar enhanced with club beats! To some it's likened to shoegazing on ecstasy, owing to the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive, as it does the chemically induced tones of current electronica inherited from the rave scene. Frankly I imagined a combination of Boards of Canada meets Richie Hawtin.

Thus, this release represents an evolution and turning point in the Global Underground series; similar to the time of the release of Deep Dish's Moscow mix, which took the series in a more progressive direction. Progressive is accurate of Freeland's choice of sounds here, relying heavily on simple trance beat structures, distorted noise patterns, and a plethora of novel sounds. It will probably make a lot of new fans for the label, but it will also lose a lot of those who are used to the former Global Underground sound.

This double-disc production features tracks and remixes from Gui Boratto, 120 Days, Spacemen 3, James Holden, Super Discount, Mr. Oizo, Justice, Fujiya & Miyagi, Para One, and Andrew Weatherall, among many others. My favorites started with the first track kicking it off - a totally raw analogue synth number – Faze Action's "In The Trees." I assume that I had to love Mr. Oizo's track, "Half an Edit," a totally wacky diversion into techno change-ups and splicing. Then Adam Freeland's "Silverlake Pills" provided some good old-fashioned electro-rock! On disc one, there are about six songs that perfectly roll together in a post-techno-frenzy. Starting with Jape's "Floating," then "Disco Sux" by Beauty School, "37" by Oliver Huntemann, "Phantom" by Justice, "Deadly Weapons" by Minimal Compact, and "Bump" by Spank Rock, Freeland connects chaos together like a completed jigsaw puzzle.

On disc two I favored 120 Days' "Come Out" with its strong male vocals, Gui Boratto's remix of "Terminal" with its winding synthesizers and James Holden's eerie doll-esque (Chucky meets Toy Story) haunted voices. Concluding the master mix is Mylo's "Paris" with its Beck-like tones and finally Adam Freeland's own "Self Indulgent Ending," a dark rock number.
Brazen, buzzing, saw wave synths provide an "in your face" opening that suggests Freeland doesn't particularly care what his listeners will THINK of this mix. The bottom dance line is that he throws that strong trance beat to underlay these obnoxious juicy analogue music lines, and the result is something totally different, new, and a bit sinister. Let the squeaking begin!! Perhaps, only for the headstrong!

iiO - Reconstruction Time: the Best of iiO Remixed

Unless you have been hiding under a rock or been absent from a club for the past few years, there is no way that you haven't heard the seductive sounds of iiO. Their songs have become such massive hits and have spawned so many remixes and received enough airplay that you would almost believe they were hellbent on conquering the dance world. Even though their hits have experienced such great longevity on the charts, iiO as a group haven't fared as well with the departure of Nadia Ali, whose seductive voice gave the songs its alluring appeal, for a solo career. I guess that is why we are seeing a greatest hits CD coming out so early in their career and that CD is Reconstruction Time: the Best of iiO Remixed.

Reconstruction Time is a mixture of new remixes of their greatest hits and the addition of a megamix and two bonus tracks. These aren't as strong as their original hits, and the CD might have been stronger with a couple of alternate remixes, but the tracks still amuse nonetheless. The remixes on Reconstruction Time are, for the most, part minimal techno/trance takes on the originals and will feel fresh since most of the mixes are not the standard ones we have heard over the past few years.

They often dispense with the harmonic progression and instrumentation of the originals, making the tracks all the more hypnotic. This approach works very well with most of the tracks, while their hit "Rapture," which is reworked for 2007 by Starkillers(aka Nick Terranova), is injected with a fusion of house to created a totally new version of this massive hit that will definitely be a staple on the dance floor. Unfortunately though, this does not pay off with the megamix by Markus Moser(one of half of iiO). This mix never seems to have a certain flow or consistency, plus the mix never really motivates me or builds any momentum... the music is downplayed too much to really be considered a true megamix.

While the remixes of the bigger hits are a great listen, the most unique part of this CD is the remix treatment of several former album-only tracks such as "Chastity," "Tantric," and the very explosive and funky mix of "Be It," which are less known.

While most of the remixes are great fun and will be an extra delight to true iiO fans, I still appreciate the older remixes somewhat more because they take the great vibe that is already present in the original iiO version and crank it up a notch, while these new remixes seem more relaxed. There is one remix on here though that is absolutely amazing and it's the last bonus track on the CD- the Recon remix of the gem "Smooth." This remix strips everything away and uses the sheer seductive power of Ali's voice to draw you in with an acoustic vibe with just a trace of music in the background. It's such a beautiful version of the song and you definitely get chills listening to it and it illustrates how powerful Ali's vocal abilities are. You can actually close your eyes and just get lost in the moment and feel every word as it flows out.

Overall, this collection of remixes are inspired and definitely fun to listen to but most of the tracks don't really show the full potential of iiO. If you appreciate a more mellow and melancholy version of iiO, then this will definitely be a great CD to have, but if you are looking for more uptempo mixes of their greatest hits, then you might find yourself a bit disappointed even though some of the tracks on the CD are absolutely amazing. Either way, most iiO fans will enjoy something from this CD and will wonder what the future could hold for them.

Kissdafunk Leeds Announces First Ever July Edition

For the first time in its three-year history Kissdafunk Leeds is hosting a July edition. Up until now KDF has always taken a summer sabbatical so fans can recharge their batteries; but due to unprecedented demand, this year the team is running an extra party at Mission on Friday 27th July.

Taking centre stage alongside The Trophy Twins (Radio One) & Rob Tissera are KDF deck-wizard, Sonny Wharton and East London dance floor rebels, The Hoxton Whores. Having mixed for everyone from Faithless to Moloko the boys are also no strangers to the Kissdafunk dance-floor.

After a few appearances at KDF Leeds and Kanya last year, the devious duo have also recently returned from playing the second party at KDF’s hugely successful debut club season at El Divino in Ibiza. Since its much talked about Opening Night KDF Ibiza fever has spread across island like wildfire; and is already being touted as one of the best new Balearic nights for 2007.
KDF’s Co Founder Glyn Tolley enthuses; “In past years we’ve always taken a break in July and come back in August Bank Holiday with a no holds barred Bank Holiday extravaganza. This year we’ve had so many people begging us not to take a month off we decided to bite the bullet and do it.”

“ We’ve also got David Guetta returning to headline our extra-special August Bank Holiday party; so with Ibiza as well we’re all going to be kept pretty busy;” adds resident and co-founder Rob Tissera.

Completing the July line-up is Lewis Keykay, Matt Cooper and the gorgeous Kissdafunk girls.

Friday 27th July 2007
Hoxton Whores, Trophy Twins, Rob Tissera, Sonny Wharton, Lewis Keykay, Matt Cooper
Mission, Heaton Court Leeds, LS1£15 /£12/£9 B4 11pm
Dress Code: Debonair Clubwear/10pm till 5am

www.kissdafunk.com
www.myspace.com/clubkissdafunK

Juicy Ibiza Mixed by Robbie Rivera

This Music Is Juicy is the fabulous summer soundtrack from Robbie Rivera to celebrate the success of Juicy Ibiza; his weekly Sunday residency on Amnesia’s beautiful terrace.

Containing 22 freshly squeezed tracks from the man himself and a plethora of international artists that support the Juicy Music label, this CD is an exhilarating reflection of the Juicy Ibiza 2007 experience.

Characterized by its pounding big room sexy beats, energetic breakdowns and powerful vocals, Robbie Rivera performs the Juicy sound each week to a 3,000 strong crowd at the legendary Balearic venue. Now everyone who has sampled the amazing energy of at Amnesia; and ones that haven’t, can enjoy a 100% additive free, double-disc smorgasbord of 2007 Ibiza anthems.

The album features a wide range of collaborations from the world’s dynamic producers including Steve Angello, Fedde Le Grand, Dave Spoon, D Ramirez, Richard Dinsdale, Gabriel & Dresden, Mark Knight.

They, or course, rest alongside a plethora of original productions from Robbie Rivera himself. Recent hits Float Away, Insanity and Replay the Night feature together with previously unreleased versions of the Rivera classic ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ and ‘The Shout’. Also making its album debut will be spectacular version on ‘Take On This’; Robbie’s rework of the famous AHA track, ‘Take on Me’.

Juicy Ibiza will run from 8th July to 09th September at Amnesia in San Rafeel, welcoming a raft of big names to its Sunday night shindig including Gabriel & Dresden, Marco V, Robbie Rivera, Coburn, Antoine Clamaran, Willie Morales and many more.

For more info go to;
www.myspace.com/thisisjuicy
http://www.robbierivera.com/
http://www.juicyibiza.com/

This is Juicy Will be available to buy from July 08th

TRACKLISTING CD1
1. Robbie Rivera –The Hum Melody (Rivera 2007 Juicy Mix)
2. DJ Inphinity Feat. Mr. Eyez – Just Like a Drug (Robbie Rivera Mix)
3. Superbass – Don’t Be Silent (Dirty South Mix)
4. George Acosta - Behind The Wheel (Robbie Rivera Mix)
5. Robbie Rivera- Float Away (Fonzarelli Mix)
6. Robbie Rivera vs Aha – Take On This (Rivera Dub)
7. Mark Knight & D Ramirez - Colombian Soul
8. Robbie Rivera – Bringing Back The Underground (DMS12 Mix)
9. Willie Morales – Bang Goes The Drum (Tony Arzadon Mix)
10. 68 Beats – Replay The Night (Gabriel & Dresden)
11. Mark Knight & Dave Spoon – Sylo
12. Richard Dinsdale vs Robbie Rivera – Rock It (Oscar G Mix)

Tracklisting CD2
1. Who’s Who – Sexy F&ck (Robbie Rivera Summer Mix)
2. Seduction Feat. MVP – Aye Aye Aye
3. The Factory – Couldn’t Love You More (Fedde Le Grande)
4. Brian Cross –Sunny Rain (Robbie Rivera)
5. Richard Dinsdale – Kiss Me Baby (Dani Masi & Marc Flaque Mix)
6. Mixin Marc Feat. Roxanne – Sexual (Steve Angello)
7. Robbie Rivera – The Shout (DMS12 Mix)
8. 4th Child – Now I Found You (Robbie Rivera Dub)
9. Robbie Rivera – One Eye Shut (Robbie Unreleased Dirty Mix)
10. DMS12 – Electro House (Robbie Rivera Mix)
11. Dustin Ramirez & Allan Ramirez – Insert Coin (Dave Spoon Mix)
12. Robbie Rivera – Insanity (Louie Padilla Mix)

Robbie Rivera - The Hum Melody CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Yves Larock - Rise up

Data Records continue to prove themselves as the dance label to be reckoned with as they introduce ‘Rise up’ by Yves Larock, the record sure to be crowned soundtrack to the summer of 2007. In the same vein as the massive hits from Funkstar Deluxe ‘Sun in Shining’ and Bob Sinclar’s ‘Love Generation’, one listen instantly stamps sunshine on the brain!

Yves ‘Larock’ Cheminade first came to people’s attention last year after Bob Sinclar signed his record ’Zookey’ to his Africanism imprint. Yves’ music fitted perfectly into the reggae influenced French house sound of the label and after it was picked up in the UK by Defected, ‘Zookey’ became a massive underground anthem.

On ‘Rise Up’, Yves has yet again expertly blended uplifting house and a reggae vocal, this time courtesy of Jaba, who took time out of his busy touring schedule with his band ‘Moonraisers’. With a hook big enough to land Moby Dick, expect Yves’ career to catapult to the next level when ‘Rise Up’ does some serious chart damage come July.

‘Rise Up’s’ massive hit potential was proven when it was added to the Kiss playlist before a release date was even set! It has been given a veritable hammering across their schedule, led in no small part by Steve Smart. The show received so many calls and texts every time ‘Rise Up’ was played, that it was added straight onto the playlist due to the high demand. In turn it has already reached # 5 in the Shazam Tag Chart! Radio 1 support has come in the form of Mr Pete Tong and on top of the UK’s numerous ILR shows and London’s pirate stations it’s soon going to be hard to escape hearing it over the airwaves!

The track peaked at No.2 in the Buzz Chart and No.4 in the Cool Cuts Chart, and is set for the higher echelons of the various Club Charts based on fantastic feedback from tastemaker and mainstream DJs alike.

As the holiday season begins and the White Island beckons, let ‘Rise Up’ carry you right through the Ibiza season to Carnival and beyond. In the meantime, cover your living room floor with sand, grab a drink, pop this on your system and turn it up loud – summer is officially here!