Search - Jody :: Way Out There

Excellent and creative mix

Thomas Bonneau | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Too bad there is no track listing here. Off the top of my head, a few songs would be: obsidian (pfn vs light mix); mindcirucus (wow club mix); first light; dub me sumtin fresh; travelogue; crazy people (quivver mix; finally on CD).Now, to most prog house fans, a lot of those tunes will look familiar to you, and you will wonder if this cd is worth getting as you have most of the songs already.That was my debate as I stood holding it in the record store, but, enough of the tracks looked unfamiliar to warrant a purchase (quite frankly, the main selling point was the quivver mix of crazy people). Anyhow, this is a very intimate and spontaneous mix by jody. it is not the formulaic let-6-minutes-play-then-mix-out-the-outro-into-the-intro-of-the-next-song by numbers mixing that is pretty much on every standard prog house comp out there. Take van M's bedrock 2. A very good cd, the mixing is spotless and perfect. But you can just see jimmy van m in the studio toiling over each and every mix in an almost detached, scientific fashion. Jody's mix, however, comes across as very personal and intimate. It's almost as if he was just hanging out with some friends, reached into his box, picked out 15 records, and just threw them down on the spot and mixed them up to have a good time. To be honest, some of the mixes are a bit abrupt (he very well might have attended a few classes at the Nick Warren School of Mixing), but for the most part they all work. Songs really flow together nicely, not just perfectly beat-wise, but within the frame of the set. This seems lost on many DJs nowadays who come off as more focused on the "perfect mix" than actually thinking "hmm, i wonder what song would sound good after this one?" His mix out of travelogue is a perfect example. This is a song I love but have heard tons as it seems to be licensed to every comp out there. But Jody mixes out of it very freshly, actually overlapping the melody of it and the next song coming in. It must be at least a two minute mix, and it comes out of nowhere to catch you off guard. It is not the spot that one would normally mix out of that song and is thus a very welcome break from the norm. Jody might catch crap from the trainspotters by not adhering to the By the Book Digweed style of mixing, but I for one applaud him for putting out such a carefree and invigorating album. I know it will be in my CD player for the majority of the summer."

Wisternoff delivers, Way Out West style!!

yosh | Chicago, IL USA | 05/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The DJ scene today seems to have divided into two extremes: the hammering trance of van Dyks, Tiestos, Oakenfolds, and the acid darkness of Digweeds, Pappas, and Lawlers. Bristol prodigy Jody Wisternoff finds a comfortable median between the two fields by releasing a set that is chic and groove-laden, yet as illustrious and musically captivating at the same time. Comparing it as an intermediate between Max Graham's "Transport 4" and James Holden's "A Fear of Silver Planet" would be a good way to describe "Way Out There." Very reminiscent of his (w/ partner Nick Warren) Way Out West productions, "Way Out There" contains swooning pan flutes, shimmering Eastern vibes, and otherworldly synth sounds that you're unlikely to hear anywhere else. (Also, be sure to check out the club mix of W.O.W's anthem "Mindcircus"!!) Jody's keen musical sense allows him to give his set a distinctive sound without the superfluous attitude that overshadows many DJs today. If Global Underground ever wants to spice up their Nubreed line-up even more, they should select somebody like Jody. You won't be hearing any complicated beat matching or fancy sound effects. Just quality tracks beautifully arranged using honest cross-fader mixing. The set as a whole has a melancholic sound that makes it an ideal listen for lounging and early-morning drives. Is Jody Wisternoff way out there? You bet he is."