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February 2000


It has been a busy start of the new year. Tons of new good records have already been released and the overall quality is surprisingly high.

January and February are months that normally doesn´t have much to offer when it comes to music, but this year... If this is a promise of what may come in the future I will dance for the rest of the year.

Here are a summary of records constantly on my decks since New Years Day.

ANTONIO
Romance En El Barrio
(Tribal Winds Records 12")
Antonio´s new jam Romance en el Barrio kicks off with the violin out front over the ever present roots of Antonio´s songs, the congas and percussion rhythm. Antonio´s musical journey seem to have taken a turn from house music to chill out music with a dash of jazz from the 30´s.

When I listen to Romance en el Barrio I come to think of a short story by Julio Cortazar, or it might have been by Borges.

The story begins with K, sitting in a cafe in Belgrade, lost in revere. With a lit cigarette, a Cognac, and a cup of coffee in front of him, he scribbles poems in a notebook and indulges in mementos of a loved one, left in another country, separated by circumstances beyond their control. K is struggling to maintain and accept that there is no turning back in life. Deep inside he is still hoping for that chance may have its way, and their roads for one last time cross. Perhaps will love for a brief moment once more come his way.

As K is waiting for something to happen, he encounters a woman in the cafe, they start talking and he will eventually walk her home. K spends the night with her in her small and steaming hot apartment, the radiators at full blast. At 3 a.m he awakes and he can´t remember where he is and why. He leaves the apartment and walks the desolate streets of Belgrade.

I can´t recall how the story ends, but for me, the sound of the violin as a solo instrument is distinctly romantic, with a touch of tragedy, and the sad story of K was brought back from the past by this piece of music.

Antonio has set the standards high with his previous releases and his latest song meet the standards. Romance en el Barrio is a shade too melancholic for my dance box, but it will do perfectly in the bar. Romance en el Barrio is cool and different.


AUDIOMONTAGE
Barracuda EP
(Freerange Records 12")
Deep offbeat house from UK. The main cut Barracuda on this three track EP is a gorgeous Brazilian smoker, complete with Fender Rhodes, scat singing and massive percussion. On the flip side there are two restrained ambient tracks. Very good music.


AMBROISE BORET
Thirdwave
(Bassnotic Records 12")
Mm mm! A top notch production from the French DJ Deep label Bassnotic.

The main mix of Thru The Time is a deep, Detroit tinged cinematic masterpiece. Keys, driving percussion, storming synth chords and a groovy bass line and it is destined to be a minor classic, made to be dropped just before peak hours. Thru The Time is so good that I would prefer to spin it one more time rather than write about it. Here we go.

The set rounds off with a fabulous break beat remix by Julian Jabre, For the real groovers.

French house music, or music at all for that matter, does not come much better than this. Don´t sleep. This is the best record so far this year! A real jewel.


BOOZOO BAJOU
Lead With The Bass
(Stereo Deluxe Records 12")
JazzBeatDub music from the crew that gave the world Under My Sensi. Their new effort Hallway (Beatless) is better. Dance to the bass.


MAX 404
The Last Days Of House Music
(E3 Records 12")
The real dance vibe is here with Max 404. Funky guitar tech house with a nice touch of keyboard is the game in the main mix of Honey. One remix is a down tempo gem with vocals and it is smooth as velvet, the other remix is a relentless drum and bass remix. Very good music.


JT DONALDSON & TIM SCHUMACHER
2ND SHIFT EP: Something Else featuring Heather
(Seasons Recordings 12")
The first release on J.T. Donaldson new label Seasons. Donaldson is the man behind the Los Angeles based Earthones Records, home of among other the oustanding deep house combo Natural Rhythm.

Something Else is much in the same vibe of deep, rumbling house music as the releases on Earthones are deep. Sometimes it sounds like the music came blasting out from the apartment next door, muted by the walls. Or like as if the sound is turned down low in another room.

Something Else is flawless quality deep house music, with the Latin tinged sound so much in demand these days. Good music for the discerning groover.


ISOLEE
Beau Mot Plage
(Playhouse Recordings 12")
A underrated and stunningly original outing from somewhere in Germany. Minimalistic and funky. Once heard, never forgotten.

One of last years absolutely best house music records. A Classic in the making!

2000

    BRIDGE     LAMBCHOP     CALEXICO     DAVID HOLMES


    MARLENA SHAW     ISOLÉE     MAE BAD BOY


    NOW PLAYING 1     NOW PLAYING 2     NOW PLAYING 3


    NOW PLAYING 4     NOW PLAYING 5     NOW PLAYING 6


    NOW PLAYING 7     NOW PLAYING 8     NOW PLAYING 9

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