Search - Charles Webster :: Coast2coast

Alive on the 24th of July

Russell E. Scott | Austin, TX | 01/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Early in 2008 proved to be a banner year for Charles with the release of the superb 3 disc behemoth monster on the Defected label where a lot of his past and present pet projects saw the light of day. The package also included new, previously unreleased, and remixed material. With the discs titled CLUB, LOUNGE, AND STUDIO appropriately enough there is something for everyone. I had heard sometime back that something of a catch all for his 12" back catalog was in the works. What I didn't expect was his substantial contributions to the now infamous Coast2Coast series.



Released in both formats, mixed and unmixed, the digipaks contained 2 discs, both having new, unreleased, exclusive tracks. I opted for both versions being almost fanatical in my support and reverence of his skills in all aspects of the roots and origins of the true house movement. After many rotations I settled on this mixed version since it had 4 additions track over the unmixed version and for my money the flow was seamless, smoking hot, and showcased his skill as a D J plus his typical brand of class and nuance over BPM floor fillers.



Side One includes previous tracks from the Buzzin' Fly volumes, all 5 of the exclusive new tracks, plus songs by Nick Holder, DJ Koze, Atjazz, Pepe Braddock, Justin Martin, and Roy Davis, Jr. with the appropriate mix if one is needed. My favorite though is Side Two which opens with the sultry Missing You by Larry Heard, followed by Groove Committee - Just Play The Music, including 2 tracks by Pal Joey, one untitled song from Chez Damier, the awesome Intervoles by Family of Few, and closes with the classic Basic Bastard - Love Break with Blake Baxter on vocals. This is one of the most subtle, sublime, and scintillating sessions of classic house music I've heard in some time. A few of these tracks appeared on Mr. Webster's hard to find south African compilation What's Phat Pussycat 4 from a few years back.



What is evident by the total sum of 7 CDs worth of material in 2008 in all their different variables possible is Charles Webster is at the top of his game. His life long passion and commitment to his love of music with spirit, soul, and tasteful, articulated beats only translates to good/great things for us here in the listening community. He has always been about how can this best be done even at a loss to himself. I'm glad to see him surface as a winner on all counts, hitting on all cylinders, and flooding the market with a saturation of some of the most wonderful, soulful house music possible. We should consider ourselves blessed many times over."