ALBUM OF THE MONTH
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS- PUSH THE BUTTON (FREESTYLE DUST/VIRGIN)

Okay sure, your first reaction may be that of "how convenient" that the Chemical Brothers' Push the Button would be album of the month, seeing as though they're featured in an article-but no matter how you look at it, the boys have done it yet again. Five albums in 10 years may not be a lot, but Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons don't just churn out crap like so many other artists; their patient, meticulous and perfectionist work ethic always results in quality work. As you'd come to expect, they've selected an interesting cast of vocal contributions ranging from more accomplished artists like Q-Tip on the first hit single "Galvanize" or Tim Burgess from The Charlatans UK on "The Boxer," to fresh newer faces in the business like Anna Lynne Williams from Trespassers William, Kele Okereke from Bloc Party, Anwar Superstar (stepbrother to Mos Def) and the brothers' favourite new band, The Magic Numbers. There's vintage Chemical Brothers all over Push the Button just as there's a lot of new innovative sounds, exploring new territory as they always do with every album. -AZ

DAVID HOLMES- OCEAN'S TWELVESOUNDTRACK (-WARNER)
We weren't able to get this out in time for our last issue before Christmas, but for those of you who did pass this one by, you should take another look. Steven Soderbergh knows music, and that's true for the very reason that he always goes back to David Holmes to score his soundtracks. Steven used him for Out of Sight and now for the Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Twelve films.why? Because no one in Hollywood can give you that funky, dirty, sassy spy/heist/ganster-flick mood music with a retro twist like David Holmes. Let's face it, UK and French producers just have a knack for the stuff. If you've been paying any attention to these soundtracks you'll realize that they really help make the films go from good to great. David is a legend in his own right, a pioneering techno DJ/producer from way back to introspective musical genius, as demonstrated in his solo albums such as Let's get Killed and This Film's Crap, Let's Slash The Seats . You can also check out his scoring brilliance from recent films like Stander , Code 46 and Buffalo Soldiers . -AZ

DJ KICKS- DADDY G (K7/FUSION III)
Sometimes heralded as the all-time champion of DJ mixed series-and with the history of players showcased on DJ Kicks it's hard to argue. This is most certainly the best DJ Kicks mix to hit the shelves in years, perhaps the best since Thievery Corporation's in 1999. Grant Marshall, a.k.a. Daddy G, is a legend; he's one of the founders of the infamous Bristol outfit The Wild Bunch Sound System who ultimately pioneered the sounds of dub/reggae/funk/ hip-hop fusion and later went on to become one of the core members and vocalists for Massive Attack. Needless to say, this mix is the ultimate mix of the last 15 years, paying respects to the original reggae and funk classics and the nu skool unto which it has all inspired. Willie William's "Armagideon Time", Meters' "Just Kissed My Baby", Johnny Osbourne's "Budy Bye" and Barrington Levy's "Here I Come" are sweet sounds of the old-school and with Danny Krivit's remix of Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady", Massive Attack's remixes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Les Negresses Vertes along with some other sweet surprises, this is one helluva mix. And if you don't know all of the names mentioned above you need some serious schooling. -R

DJINXX - TRAVEL NOTES (MANGUSTA)
Djinxx's Travel Notes serve as a great guide to your own positive mental movements. This collection of ultra-deep, empathizing house and down-tempo groovers is at home in anyone's collection. Though not entirely reflective of Djinxx's big-club DJ sets, much of this music would move dancers at Garage or Tribal parties, whilst some songs are set for leisurely moments around the house. The production is sometimes demonstrative of a passion for classic house, while others are similar to the contemporary sounds of Spain, Germany, New York and Chicago. One of the highlights is "More Sex," with smouldering percussive rhythms, heart-penetrating synths and strings, and a whisper of "makes me feel sensitive." For more on Djinxx, who has releases on F Comm, Soul Monkey, Unda and many other labels, visit www.djinxx.com . -MdB

J.BOOGIE'S DUBTRONIC SCIENCE-LIVE IN THE MIX (M RECORDS/FUSION III)
The sounds of San Francisco busting out this most wicked multi-genre live-DJ mix from J. Boogie will easily stay on my list for best party mix of the year, and will be very difficult to beat. Boogie blends the best of dub, soul, hip-hop, funk, house, down-tempo and afro-beats with such Zen-like precision it'd even make Jazzy Jeff envious. Brilliant 27-track lineup featuring Soulstice, Amp Fiddler, Thunderball, Mark Farina, Thievery Corporation and Marc Rae. -CQ

LUKE SLATER -FEAR AND LOATHING 2 (RESIST MUSIC/FUSION III)
To begin, if you don't have the first Fear and Loathing back in 2001 by Luke Slater, then you'd best be on your way to your local music shop and try and find a copy because it was one of the best damned techno mixes of all-time on two CDs. This time, Luke changes things up a little (which makes the first release all the more vital) starting CD 1 off on a beautiful ambient trip that slowly builds moodily and doesn't introduce any beats until midway through track 4, and patiently journeys into some deep pulsating minimal techno. On CD 2, Luke messes about with some electro and breaks before slipping into something a little more pounding. A brilliant mix from one of techno's finest ambassadors. Tracks by Planetary Assault Systems, Carl Craig, Alter Ego, The Advent, DJ Misjah, Dopplereffekt and Mr. G. -AZ

EARL ZINGER- SPEAKER STACK COMMANDMENTS (!K7/FUSION III)
Released in the UK earlier last fall, Earl Zinger may not be a name you're familiar with, but this UK hip-hop artist has the mojo that seems to be missing from the American hip-hop scene. To look at his photos, he's the unlikeliest of hip-hopheroes, but Earl Zinger knows his rhymes, beats and bass lines, yet brings a Jamiroquai-like jazz flavour to everything he touches. His 2001 debut album Put Your Phazers On Stun, Throw Your Health Food Skyward not only demonstrates his sense of humour, but established him as a serious contender in the UK. Gilles Peterson has used him as his MC and he recently helmed the exceptional Two Banks of Four project. Speaker Stack Commandments is a must-see, must-hear experience, and although American hip-hop doesn't have the intellect and comprehension to be ready for Earl Zinger, we as Canadians sure as hell do. -R

AMON TOBIN- CHAOS THEORY (UBISOFT/NINJA TUNE/OUTSIDE MUSIC)
Yes, this is a soundtrack to Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory video game from Ubisoft, but it's technically also Amon's fifth full-length album. So the wait is finally over; Amon Tobin's new album is indeed all Amon Tobin, and he's just done the video gaming world a huge service by scoring an already popular series with some wicked music. As video games are proving to be capable of punching out Hollywood films in sales and revenue, this should start a nice new trend. Oh sure, we've seen trance, techno and drum and bass DJs make appearances on video game soundtracks, but not like this.this is a true mutual arrangement, so that it's win-win for both parties. For Amon Tobin fans, it's more moody soundscapes and furious beat wizardry from the editing master for your listening pleasure, and for gamers, it makes for brilliant ambience to an already suspenseful game platform. -R

GROOVE ARMADA -DOIN' IT AFTER DARK 02 (RAGBULL/FUSION III)
Groove Armada, a.k.a. Tom Findlay and Andy Cato, show off their DJ skills with this house mix after releasing a "best of" CD earlier last year. No it's not a cop-out, seeing as the boys get just as many gigs if not more so as DJs, just like the Chemical Brothers. A strong 17-track tour through what's hot in the clubs these days, Findlay and Cato travel through some bouncing beats and bangin' house with a little acid, funk and breaks tossed in for good measure. This should entertain and remain a relatively timeless mix, with choice cuts by Digs & Woosh, Inland Knights, Full Intention, Motorfunk and a wicked track by A Jackin' Phreak entitled "Raw Jackin" which should prove that acid-house and the Roland 303 is definitely back in style. -R

TRÜBY TRIO -RETREATED (COMPOST RECORDS/FUSION III)
After the success of their debut album Elevator Music in 2003 and their appearance on the DJ Kicks series in 2001, I suppose the next best thing to do is a remix album.and get someone else to do all the remixing work, eh? I mean, why not? In this particular case it wasn't a bad idea at all, as Compost Records is a name you can trust, and just to show that Rainer Trüby wasn't going to be a total slacker, he mixes up all the fabulously new materiel on a bonus CD. Good deal all around for those who dig the mature, soulful, jazzy sounds of deep house and broken beats with remix contributions from Senor Coconut, Nickodemus, Gucciman, Louie Vega, Guillaume Boulard, Fabrice Lig and Tiefschwarz. -AZ

YARA - PLANT LIFE (YARA MUSI C)
This independent album (www.yaramusic.com) is a masterful collection of sudden explosions of personal essence, derived from the depth of Yara Jakymiw 's emotional core. Blistering sequences of intelligent d&b trip and trample the listener, while often sombre piano, classical strings and synth-bass gulps and oscillations tell the story of a person comfortable within the company of ghouls, theologians and circus freaks. Fans of Sneaker Pimps, (Mu)-ziq, and Isao Tomita will fall in love with this young prodigy, sure to enjoy a long and potentially groundbreaking career at the frontier of the post-contemporary Canadian music movement. Please visit for more info. -MdB

BUGNOLOGY- V/A MIXED BY STEVE BUG (POKER FLAT RECORDINGS)
Having toured 'round the world as a sought-after DJ, Poker Flat Recording's lead man has taken some of his favourite records of the year into his computer and skilfully mixed them using the insight of his other praised quality-music producer. Bug has manipulated the selections to varying degrees, in order to create this unique and seamless blend, whilst maintaining the integrity of the songs original composers. This is possibly the best Poker Flat CD-release, featuring an all-star cast, including Sasse, I: Cube, Guido Schneider, Kango's Stein Massiv, Justus Kohncke, Josh Wink, Charles Webster, Dixon, Alexi Delano and Jesper Dahlback, and many others. From the first track on, this is a superb mix, sure to sound fresh for as long as you own a CD player. -MdB

MARK RAE - INTO THE DEPTHS ( GRAND CENTRAL/ ENG/CD-LPA)
A masterpiece of down-tempo funkin' soul! With elements of jazz, disco, reggae, pop and hip-hop, this album should be at the top of North American charts. The fact that it's not exemplifies the serious lack of support for quality music within our culture, as caused by tired, formula-driven, big-label marketing campaigns, designed to exploit the lowest common denominator of the music-buying demographic. Those suckers. Well, now you can stick it to The Man, and take my advice on purchasing this solid-gold full-length. Eleven tracks of emotive, original gems will soon to mark this as a classic! If words could do justice, it would be like receiving a love-letter from Salma Hayak or Brad Pitt (take your pick). Sadly, it's only 40 minutes in length. Nonetheless. -MdB

MANY SHADES OF HOUSE - MIXED BY LUKE MCKEEHAN (NORDIC TRAX)
Nordic Trax stays true to its form as the country's best deep-house label, with its latest mixed compilation, Many Shades Of House , performed by Luke McKeehan. This is a sturdy collection of underground floor-fillers, fit for struts down the sidewalk and flights of fantasy. The mixing is as tight as a vice, and programming is smooth, particularly as songs harmonize tonally. McKeehan, who has been producing tracks for Nordic Trax since day one, has smartly chosen songs and remixes from Trouble Men, Ritma, Demarkus Lewis, Marques Wyatt, Andrew Macari, Fresh & Low, and Jay Tripwire and Tony Hewitt to name only a few. There's also a bonus CD of some classic Nordic releases, for those DJs who missed out on the vinyl run. -MdB

HAKAN LIDBO - FROM A TO D (DATA ERROR)
The master of stripped-down dub-tech has re-emerged from his secret laboratory. What he has brought with him is another eight tracks of building music, made by robots travelling through a matter-stretching vortex. Though this material is crafted in Lidbo's distinctive style, familiar to those who know his releases on Poker Flat Recordings and dozens of other labels, it's now being created by robots bent on altering space and time. Only the most skilled and confident DJs will know when to drop these tracks. When Lidbo is pressed through the speakers, the club will begin to pulsate in liquid flow, leaving dancers gasping for air as they wrestle an octopus in a sea of plasmic acid. -MdB

NAW - GREEN NIGHTS, ORANGE DAYS (NOISE FACTORY)
Montreal's NAW, AKA Neil Wiernik, is relentless in his passion for mesmerizing sonic plateaus, existing between levels of normal consciousness, with echoes of thought cascading into every possible direction. Sharp, precise drums chatter with the 4/4 beat, while synth bumps roll, like driftwood flowing down-river. This is new-age dub music, with odes to Minimal Techno{Is this the name of a DJ? If it's not and it's referring instead to a style of music, then lowercase please.}, perfect for late nights hanging out with close friends, or slow, sensual explorations between lovers. There's a quality of production and conceptual depth in this album that is reminiscent of Hakan Lidbo, and some Richie Hawtin. Serving as a reflection of a charming, quality independent record label, NAW's latest album on Noise Factory is at the top of its class. -MdB

JEREMY ELLIS - LOTUS BLOOMS (UBIQUITY)
Ubiquity can do no wrong. Again, they have a release that can satisfy and inspire. Jeremy Ellis, AKA Ayro, flexes his many talents on this astounding album, reflective of his work with luminaries like Jazzanova, Roy Davis Jr, Carl Craig and several others. Beats jostle and shake, Rhodes simmer and quake{What exactly does this mean, pray tell?} , vocals soothe and minds melt. Tracks like "These Passing Days" and "I Believe" charm with soul, while "Callelunakarma: Movements 1-4" rattle and reverb with nu jazz and hip-hop fusion. Puerto Rican influence is also infused with a contemporary twist, not only welcome, but expertly genuine. No matter what your generation, this is a pleasant and positive experience, worthy of intense, repetitive listens. -MdB

Gavin Froome Underground Heroes (Nordic Trax /CAN/CD-LP)
Canadian Producer Gavin Froome, who has consistently provided us with high-quality tracks, continues to move us with his third release on Nordic Traxx . Underground Heroes is a collage of melodic, sensual, down-tempo beats and free-spirited body-moving dance tracks. The sexy and deep " Plane Jane," with its well-produced rhythm section, is my personal favourite. For the club, "Get Up" and "Alpine Pools" are guaranteed to get the party going. "All Night" is a groovy, hip-hop influenced venture with quirky snaps and well-placed vocal samples. Throughout the album, carefully programmed beats, and tastefully selected and placed synth and bass lines bring this music to life. Froome has expertly drawn upon several genres including jazz, hip hop, disco and deep house to create this array of classy tracks, deserving of airtime in lounges and bedrooms alike. -SKM

IVANA SANTILLI - CORDUROY BOOGIE (BROWN RECORDINGS)
Who wouldn't want to work on an album with Ivana Santilli?! As if being in her presence wasn't enough to make you hot under the collar, she's got a voice that could melt stone. Clearly, she's got a reputation that spans the earth, as this albums features collaborations with a star-studded cast, including King Britt, Dego, Dwele, Solitair, Kaidi Tatham, James Poyser and talented others. Not only has Ivana written the music and lyrics on Corduroy Boogie, but she's been the centripetal force in production and instrumental performance throughout, which adds a tremendous degree of depth to her merit and virtue. Not a weakness in her armour. -MdB

Made 2 Lounge Mixed By DJ Ebar (Benz Street)
This is a HYPE, compulsory compilation for deep, sexy house lovers. Carefully selected tracks from producers Tropical Deep, Ancient Prophet, Alex J., FTL, DJ Dimension and DJ Ebar make this album a must-have for those who desire a transcendental dance experience. "Afro Cuban Groove," produced by Tropical Deep and remixed by Alex J , is a great example of the musicianship on this album. Its simple, velvety bass riff, along with great vocal and instrumental samples, makes me think of cocoa butter body oil...sensuous! From start to finish, this album delivers, and is moody and groovy-just the way deep house should be. Every tune pulsates with driving bass lines and tightly programmed beats. Props to DJ Ebar for putting this high-quality comp together. -SKM

The Scumfrog (www.thescumfrog.com), a.k.a. Jesse Houk, is set to grab the dance-music community by the hips with his debut-artist album, Simmer (Effin Music).

You may remember early cuts such as “The Watersong” and his remix of Kylie Minogue’s “Love at First Sight,” which became an unexpected hit with mainstream radio programmers. From there on in, it was an accepted fact that this Amsterdam native was a purveyor of fresh, dirty, thick and rich, progressive house music. Having conquered the realm of remixing other people’s music, it was obviously time to explore the reaches of his own ability as a writer of original works. Houk’s production on this CD truly strikes the right balance between elements commonly found in house and progressive music, with the dirty vocals and guitar riffs that are commonplace in grunge and rock ’n’ roll. Indeed there is a hybrid present on this album that feels like a combination of ’70s glam rock and the big-room progressive sound that jocks like Steve Lawler and John Digweed champion. [In fact, you can finally find The Scumfrog’s remix of Lawler’s “Andante” on Bedrock, in stores now.] Exemplifying the trend that is putting “rock” into house/dance music, the guitar work on this album feels very alive, ripping, and at times dirty. Houk couples this with the almost Mick Jagger –esque sound and appeal of his vocals, spewing lyrics like “My pants are leather/my boots are pink/bet your boyfriend don’t know what to think.” It can’t be denied that this album is full of attitude and is sure to be enjoyed by a very diverse group of music lovers. All in all, the entire CD is a great listen, and a refreshing new direction for the constantly morphing yet always-steady groove that is house music. The first 3,000 copies of Simmer includes The Scumfrog’s previous double CD album, Extended Engagement, a collection of remixes and hard-to-find white labels. —WdB

 

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