•
Rating: It's 1994 and the Basement Jaxx are the protagonists of a DJ set called "Rooty" (which will become the name of their second album), where they alternate on the turntables New York house records, old-skool Chicago revivals, English punk, jazz, soul, and Latin rhythms.
In short, everything that, properly sped up, can get people dancing. The experiment is highly successful and encourages the two to get their hands on synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers to recreate the effect of their performances on the dancefloor on vinyl. With the release of the first single, "Undaground", Buxton and Ratcliffe launch their own label, 'Atlantic Jaxx', later absorbed by 'XL' (the same as Fat Boy Slim).
Simple but carefully selected elements well integrated with each other: this seems to be the winning card of their sound. Four-four rhythm sections, dirtied by obsessive string games and piano echoes, are themes that are revisited and perfected in the now-classic "Be free" and "Live your life with me", enriched by the sensual voice of Corinna Joseph. Inspired and buoyed by approval in the scene, the Basement Jaxx continue to produce several EPs, ranging from the Latin-flavored "Samba magic" to the garage house of "Missing you" (featuring a very intricate vocal by Ronnie Richards).
But the stroke of genius from the two Brixton producers comes with "Fly Life": a 120 bpm kick and a simple distorted and overly filtered synth riff. A powerful and obsessive rhythm (reminiscent of Daft Punk's "Musique" or Alan Braxe's "Vertigo") with exceptional momentum; even though it's far from commercial, it manages to climb the UK charts.
"Atlantic Jaxx Recordings: a compilation" collects all these gems and is born to tell episodes that would otherwise have remained imprisoned in vinyl. It is the musical tale of the beginnings of a duo of pioneers of house music, inventors of a style they themselves called "Punk-garage". A blend of sounds from various extractions, supercharged with flashes of genius and madness, which can be appreciated even far from the dance floors. Music that can both excite and entertain when listened to in the right spirit.
A listen recommended to those who appreciate dance and electronic music made "with art", which house music lovers cannot afford to miss. The only flaw of the disc is the presence of a piece curated by Coccoluto (Belo Horizonti - The Heartist), suitable for the New Year's train, but out of place on this CD. Fortunately, there's a "skip" button.
BE STRONG... BE FREE... BE HAPPY!
Loading comments slowly
