dance reviews

Rip It Up, Issue 244, 1 December 1997, Page 26

dance reviews

bY

Andy Pickering

FULL MOON SCIENTIST Do We Look Like Comedians (Botchit & Scarper) Absolute weirdness here from the sort of people who sound like they only come out on a full moon.

There sound is based around deep dub, abstract drum ‘n’ bass, and plenty of unusual vocal touches. ‘Wild Winds of Westminster’ is a downbeat, dubwise skankathon, featuring snippets of jazz, lots of fx and wired vocals. Indeed Full Moon Scientist seem to have a penchant for strange sound fx. ‘2OOI All Out' is a one minute long burst of animals howling and storm winds brewing. ‘Stroller’ features more of the same; a minimal beat stands tall in a haze of threatening noise. It’s when they get down to some seriously warped drum ‘n’ bass that things get interesting. Check ‘Doc Hope’ for a wicked journey through dubbed out breakbeats, and a call for hope. ‘Till Kingdom Come’ returns to the dub theme, but it’s tracks like ‘Nuke Speak Train’, and the didgereedo led ‘Shake Me Out of My Tree’, that concentrate on drum ‘n’ bass, that really stand out. On the former, a tearing beat rips across another stormy fx backdrop, while Underworld-styled vocals gently drift over the top.

Do We Look Like Comedians is an unusual album that features a lot to get you head around first time, and boasts a charm and sense of humour that will reveal itself over repeated listens.

VARIOUS ARTISTS Elements (MDS)

This is a fine compilation of electronic music from across the spectrum. It’s subtitled ‘The Chemistry of Mutating Beats’, and that sums it nicely. Diversity is the key, and spread over two discs, you get good value for your dance music dollar.

There’s a stack of strong, Wall of Sound inspired instrumental hip hop numbers, such as the funk filled ‘Beatnik Bounce’ by the Dirty Beatniks, and the Wiseguys’ ‘Nil by Mouth’. Drum ‘n’ bass is well represented, with strong contributions from Dave Wallace, Squarepusher, and the awesome process remix of Rob and Goldie’s ‘The Shadow’.

In a market overstocked with a flood of similar compilations, Elements is definitely one of the better funky breakbeat inspired collections around — the quality factor prevails throughout.

VARIOUS ARTISTS The Breaks Compilation (Polygram)

The Breaks is the long awaited (and much delayed) compilation album of the

popular Auckland drum ‘n’ bass club night of the same name. As a compilation this can’t be faulted, it’s pure quality. Of the 10 tracks, each is a classic in its own right, and there’s not a dud in sight. From the Bristol bass and soul driven ‘Down’ and ‘New Forms’ of Roni Size’s Represent project, to the tear-out, jump-up of A Sides’ ‘Punks’, to the harsh, metallic beats of Peshay’s ‘Predator’, the full spectrum of drum ‘n’ bass is represented here. DJ Krust contributes a wicked hypnotic remix of Baby Fox’s ‘The Rain’, and Dillinja rinses out Bjork as only he could. When the album closes with the celestial rolling breaks of the Source Direct classic ‘Secret Liaison’, you can only look back and reflect on what has just passed your ears, truly an inspiring collection of future music.

GOLDIE featuring KRS ONE Digital (FFRR) A new single from Goldie, and a taster for his next album due out early in the new year. KRS-One contributes a booming rap in his trademark commanding style, sending big ups and respect to the worldwide jungle massive, and paying homage to Goldie's own hip hop roots. On remix duty is Boymerang, who drops a ferocious snare-led drum assault, for . maximum dancefloor impact, Boymerang style. Armand Van Helden represents for the house boys, dropping two large speed garage numbers — which are especially effective and quite entertaining — but I can't see many of our own jocks having the nerve to drop either.

DAVE ANGEL Globetrotting (Island)

Since his last album, Tales of the Unexpected, Dave Angel has changed his sound to reflect the hard house direction of his DJ sets. Whereas his earlier releases were more of a jazz flavoured, Detroit orientation, Globetrotting is aimed at the dancefloor, with heavy house beats underpinning each groove. The two singles are here — ‘This is Disco’ again reflecting Angel’s deejaying style, combining techno with house and disco for maximum club impact. ‘Tokyo Stealth Fighter’, is one bound to piss the purists off with its big electro bass lines, pitched-up beats and lots of mad computer game samples. Also here is a track entitled ‘K Road NZ’ — inspired by Angel’s time in New Zealand last year — a squelchly slice of horn-driven drum ‘n’ bass.

Overall, Globetrotting is a strong collection of club gear, and while a fair share of the beats are just a tad too similar at times, it’s still peak time floor burning club fodder at its best.

THE X-ECUTIONERS X-Pressions (Border)

Remember when the hip hop DJ was a star in his (or her) own right? When people like Jazzy Jay, Red Alert, Aladdin, Marley Marl, and Grandmaster Flash were respected for their turntable skills? Before hip hop sold out, first to gangsta, and then R&B ideals? Well this album is a testament to pure hip hop — MCs, DJing, breaking, and bombing. The X-Ecutioners (with a name change from the X-Men due to copyright infringement) are down for the cause, and together they represent some of the tightest turntablists to ever walk the earth. Mista Sinista, Rob Swift, Roc Raida, and Total Eclipse between them have won countless DMC champs, DJ battles, and turntable duels. So what do you get? No less than 22 tracks of beats, rhymes, and super phat DJ skills. Check ‘Raiders Theme’ for production and Raiders cut technique, set to the rapping of the EBros, who recall the days of old when DJs had widespread respect. Or how about Rob Swift-produced ‘The Turntablist Anthem’, wherein a gentle laidback groove underpins some sublime scratching and sexy vocalising — pure dope.

X-Pressions could have been a collection of scratch heavy, DJ indulgences, but the X-Ecutioners have instead constructed an album of real songs, which takes the art of DJing to new levels.