SEE Magazine
Copyright © 1998. All Rights Reserved.
REMIX REVIEWS
BY DARRYL RODWAYVarious Artists
MTV's AMP 2 (Compilation)
(MTV/Astralwerks/Virgin)AMP 2 is a compilation of electronic artists presented by AMP, the MTV series featuring a list of cutting-edge producers, many who co-ordinate the styles of old-school hip-hop artists with today's electronic sound. Acts such as Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Goldie and Kardkiss give a totally new feel to hip hop. Jungle Brothers take on a drum and bass sound provided by Aphrodite and Mickey Finn. Mixmaster Beck is also in the mix with his Sex Kino remix of French duo Air's Sexy Boy. Hardkiss teams up with the one and only Kool Keith on a track called Abandon Ship (Sharks and Mermaids), for a lovely underwater adventure. Other stand-outs include another hit from the Skint camp, Fatboy Slim presenting The Rockafeller Skank, Goldie and KRS-One on Digital and Roni Size with Brown Paper Bag. Overall, AMP 2 effectively displays the fusion of electronica and hip hop. If you're into any of these genres, you should peep this compilation.
Def Squad
El Nino (LP)
(Def Jam/Polygram)The infamous Def Squad, which features Redman, Eric Sermon and Keith Murray, has dropped its new album in the hands of many anxious fans. El Nino is solid but there's nothing ground-breaking or special about it.
There are no real classic jams on this album, though a track called The Game uses the bass line from Kurtis Blow's The Breaks, which was also used on Def Squad Delight, from the In Tha Beginning compilation album. And El Nino has a few stand-out cuts, including Rhyming Wit Biz, featuring Biz Markie over a James Brown sample of The Payback and an Ultramagnetic MC's beat. Check N' Me Out and Countdown are two other strong tracks that will keep you locked. Despite a few filler tracks, the album is solid, but I was expecting El Nino to be a lot more vocally energetic. Maybe they should have added Parrish to the mix. What we really need is a new EPMD album.
Love Inc.
Love Inc. (LP)
(ViK Recordings/BMG)The ones who brought you the Broken Bones phenomenon are back with a fully-loaded album for your dance collection. Chris Sheppard, Brad Daymond and Simone Denny have come together in a celebration of love with 14 well-produced original tracks and remixes. The self-titled release is quite impressive, with excellent vocals and diverse dance floor-friendly material. Love Inc. contains outstanding tracks such as the speed garage-sounding I've Got A Feeling, In A Galaxy, Everything's Gonna Be Alright, the Sash!-influenced C'est Fantastique and the second single release, entitled You're A Superstar. Experience the new sound of the City Of Love. Pick up Love Inc.
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