Album Results
Album Reviews
A DJ with both a twisted sense of humor and an equally twisted sense of funk is a rare find, and if you haven't already found Duncan Beiny (a.k.a. DJ Yoda), then let this be your introduction to a DJ who basically believes that everything is hip hop, if it's delivered with the proper attitude and in a sufficiently funky context. That explains the wildly catholic range of the live set he delivered for this series: a set that includes entries by Ice Cube ("Jackin' for Beats"), Run DMC ("It's Tricky"), Violent Femmes ("Blister in the Sun", on which turntable scratches double the intro's snare-drum accents), Adam F ("Circles") and even Minnie Riperton ("Lovin' You", which you didn't think could actually be made funky, did you?). His intention isn't ironic -- "If I love a song, I'll play it," he says. But there's a delicious element of whimsy to this set, one that imports elements of "Blister in the Sun" into the intro to Handsome Boy Modeling School's "Holy Calamity" and includes the Hot 8 Brass Band's instrumental version of "Sexual Healing" and winds up with a brilliant slice of vintage calypso courtesy of the legendary Lord Kitchener. Even the occasional misstep (like DJ Class's idiotic "Tear Da Club Up") works as a crooked thread in this richly varied musical tapestry. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
Track Listing
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Girls Sugababes |
| By roping in credible producers such as Richard X and peppering their songs with up to the minute electro touches, Sugababes have managed to create songs that appealed as much to the cynical music press as it did to teenage girls. Throw in a revolving door line up and a media fascination with the bands perceived moodiness and you have a recipe for the most successful girl band of the new millennium. However on "Girls", a cover of Ernie K-Does early R&B classic "Here Comes The Girls", The "Babes" lack any of the inventiveness that made singles such as "Freak Like Me" and "Push The Button" so enjoyable. As countless artists have proved over the years, there's nothing wrong with uncovering a hidden gem and putting your own spin on things; Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" springs to mind as a good example. However, you can't help thinking that The Sugababes' producers have hardly been "diggin' in the crates" to uncover "Here Come The Girls" since it has been used extensively by Boots over the last couple of years to sell beauty products. Throw in a few predictable Mark Ronson style horn riffs and you have a sub Atomic Kitten mess that tarnishes a lot of the bands efforts to be taken seriously. | |
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