Tech-house: see what the buzz is all about
Richard Diaz | 01/14/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Slam party has come to a head, culminating in this two hour showcase of where the evolving sound pushed by Glasgow DJs and production duo Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle heads for 2001. The Soma label A&R guys, who also host the Soma parties in London's The End, have undoubtedly found their take on underground dance floor music - house and techno of all shades - surging forward from like-minded producers Layo, Bushwacka, and Mr. C, a rousing combination of crisp, tight beats and warm tones currently tagged tech-house.Of which you get many of the finest examples to date; the latin charge of Sueno Latino's "Sueno Latino (Bushwacka Mix)" and Mark Flash's "Timbales Calientes," Bushwacka's dark and DJ-fave "Healer," elements of tribal dub through San Fran's Hipp-E, and remixes from those in the know, Derrick Carter and the Slam gents themselves. Ah, and Silicon Soul's deliciously groovy "Right On, Right On," their own mix of an already excellent "Right on 4 the Darkness." So any cop then? Well, there's a few slick cuts that nonetheless exist as DJ-tools, and the second disc drops off. Certainly the original "Jaguar" by DJ Rolando should have been picked over the included version. Small pickings, those wanting to hear what the buzz is all about should start here. Grade: B+ (disc 1) B (disc 2)"
Getting some positive education
Neil Simpson | San Jose, California United States | 01/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Allright, i'll have to admit to being a wee bit biased on this one. In my opinion, Slam are the business. Their Soma record label is one of the most innovative and consistently excellent on the scene, their work as Slam, Pressure Funk and Counter Plan never fails to impress, and their original '94 classic 'Positive Education' remains arguably one of the best techno crowdpleasers of all time.As with most DJ mix formats these days, the package is spread out over two CDs, which leads you to expect (and later get) a more funky/chilled out set on one, and a more all-out set on the other. The cover art is also pretty indicative of the genre - warm colours, angular and retro-futuristic architecture of the motorway overpass and the implicit journey theme give cues of what is to come. Flipping the case over, the tracklisting looks promisingly original and creative, containing remixes of old school classics (past lessons) like Sueno Latino and Chez Damier's 'Close' with the today's big tracks (future theories) like Bushwacka's monstrous 'Healer'. We also get to hear a lot of excellent grooves from some new British up-and-comers. The most obvious tracks are new mixes of Positive Education (forgiven!) and Jaguar (ditto!). They still rock!Play the thing and you quickly realise the technical quality of the mixing is excellent, if thats the sort of thing that interests you. Slam are true veterans, having been a part of the formation of the Scottish scene back in '88, achieving legendary status during their residency at the Atlantis nights at the sub. Today they continue to hold their own with the best of them on the international DJ circuit as well as at home with their wild boat parties and club nights.However, the best thing about these mixes is the track selection and programming - fusing underground house and techno in the deep and funky Soma style. These lads have been doing the 'tech house' thing since before it was a specialty rack in the recordstore. Wambonix blends into E-Dancer in a way that sounds not only totally natural but positively lovely, and the momentum continues to build into a crecendo that only genuine DJ's know how to create - you could be instantly teleported beneath central station going wild with a couple hundred nutty Glaswegians!You can tell from this that Slam are still passionate about the music, and with a second album on the way you can't help but feel the best is yet to come. This particular CD rates up there with Subculture, Decks FX & 909 and Stacey Pullen's DJ Kicks in the kick-arse mix stakes, and it comes thoroughly recommended to the faithful and potential converts alike."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1