... Van Helden's only previous commercial breakthrough had come in the form of a remix of Tori Amos's "Professional Widow", which hit number 2 in the charts in 1996. Two months after "You Don't Know Me" was released, the album "2 Future 4 U" also hit the shops on FFRR (Full Frequency Range Recordings). ... Read review
Advantages: Varying styles, Many top quality tracks Disadvantages: A couple of below standard tracks
..."Professional Widow", which hit number 2 in the charts in 1996. Two months after "You Don't Know Me" was released, the album "2 Future 4 U" also hit the shops on FFRR (Full Frequency Range Recordings).
The album consists of 9 tracks, each refreshingly different from each other and with Armand's hip-hop roots shining through on many of the tracks.
The first track on the album is called ... ...4 U" to any fans of house music, especially the 4 x 12" vinyl, as there are six quality tracks for the price of 2 or 3. The tracks are also so varied that fans of any kind of music would probably like at least one track on this album. ... more
Two years ago, "You Don't Know Me" was a massive chart success for American based DJ, Armand Van Helden. With the vocal prowess of Duane Harden accompanying a catchy base line, the track shot from the clubs straight to chart success. Van Helden's only previous commercial breakthrough had come in the form of a remix of Tori Amos's "Professional Widow", which hit number 2 in the charts in 1996. Two months after "You Don't Know Me" was released, the album "2 Future 4 U" also hit the shops on FFRR (Full Frequency Range Recordings).
The album consists of 9 tracks, each refreshingly different from each other and with Armand's hip-hop roots shining through on many of the tracks.
The first track on the album is called "Mother Earth", and features vocals by Tekitha Washington, a female member of The Wu-Tang Clan. This track is, in my opinion, one of the best on the album. It is a song about how we should care more about the planet on which we live and stop destroying it through pollution and so forth. The track has a tribal feel to it and a good strong bass line not too dissimilar to that of 187 Lockdown's "Kung-Fu". Overall, I would say this is a top-notch track and certainly a very good way to start out the album.
The second track is called "The Boogie Monster", and offers a much funkier track to "Mother Earth". This track starts normally enough but once it gets to the breakdown, a rather scary vocal saying 'are you afraid of the boogie monster?' takes over. This continues with the track gradually breaking down until only the vocal remains. There is then a slight pause before a vocal, in the same voice, says 'get down', and a big bass line comes in to the track. This bass line continues throughout the track and is the kind of thing that would be good to dance or 'get down' to.
The third track features another American based DJ, DJ Sneak, and is entitled "Psychic Bounty Killaz". This track is again another top-notch tune, which has many cheeky samples cut in and out of the track. These are presumably the work of DJ Sneak and help raise the feel-good factor of the track. The track has a strange start with a nice, cheesy record suddenly being cut out to the sound of gunfire. Beats then start from there and gradually build up to a breakdown, which filters in the main tune with it getting progressively louder before a sample of a needle being dragged across a record cuts this out and the beats, bass line and rest of the tune come in. Although there are no proper vocals on this track, it does have a sample of somebody saying what sounds like 'disco king on the mean machine', which also adds to what is already a great track. I would say this is possibly the best track on the album other than "You Don?t Know Me".
The fourth track is the classic "You Don't Know Me", featuring Duane Harden. If you haven't heard this track, questions would have to be asked of why you were reading this review. However, if you haven't heard it or cannot remember it, it has a strong, soulful vocal saying 'you don't even know me, you say that I'm not living right, you don't understand me, so why do you judge my life?' Accompany this with an extremely catchy bass line and a good, solid beat and you have probably the anthem of '99, "You Don't Know Me".
The fifth track is called "Alienz". The track kicks off with a very strange sample asking 'does the government know more than they're willing to tell us?' before a pumping beat kicks in. Personally I don't think this track is as good as some of the others on the album and is not really the kind that could get stuck in your head, as with "You Don't Know Me". This track remains generally the same throughout with a few mini breakdowns to go with the strong beat, which lasts the duration of the track. There are no vocals on this track other than the 'does the government...?' sample and a voice saying "aliens" dotted around now and again.
The sixth track is called "Summertime", and features Mi Madre. To be honest, I haven't really listened to this track very much, and when I have listened to it, I have been somewhat unimpressed. This track is a completely different style to the rest of the tracks on the album and has a Hawaiian feel to it. Gone are the kicking beats and in their place is a much more chilled out tune. The same tune plays from the start through to the end of the track before fading out in a very annoying manner to those who are trying to mix something into it. This track falls well below the rest of the albums high standards.
The seventh track is called "Necessary Evil", and is one of the most bizarre tracks I have ever heard. What comprises this track is the sound of what seems to be sawing wood. At first I wasn't too impressed with this track either, but it has grown on me and I now consider it to be up there with the best tracks Armand's produced. This track also has a very funky feel to it with a beat stopping and starting throughout the track. There are no vocals on this track and the sound of the saw continues throughout the track right up until near the end when there simple beats to finish the track off. If you heard this track and didn't think too highly of it, I recommend you listen to it a few more times and you may well grow to like it.
The penultimate track is called "Entra Mi Casa", and features Mita. The lyrics on this track are quite explicit and are not really the kind to stick in your head, as they are not sung to any real tune. This track has a Latin feel to it, which I am not really a fan of and so therefore is not really a track I am too fond of. Although the tune is quite catchy, I think this is another track that drops below the high standards of the rest of the album.
The final track on the album is called "Flowers". This track was also a chart success and features the vocals of Roland Clark. This track is much more chilled compared to tracks such as "Psychic Bounty Killaz" and "Necessary Evil", but is still a tune of the highest quality. This track is basically a strong bass line accompanied by the voice of Roland Clark, and is quite an uplifting track. It has the same bass line running throughout the track from start to finish and is certainly the king people can sing along to. In my opinion, this is an excellent track to conclude an excellent album.
I would recommend "2 Future 4 U" to any fans of house music, especially the 4 x 12" vinyl, as there are six quality tracks for the price of 2 or 3. The tracks are also so varied that fans of any kind of music would probably like at least one track on this album.
Armand Van Helden is a top quality dj he does not just stick to one style like a lot of djs as well as the dance armand likes hip hop and indie. Once thrown off the terraces at space in ibiza for playing hip hop, he stays true to his roots as a rough, tough tune layin master, armand was well known in dance circles for a long time but what captured my interest was his stormin classic tune, you don’t know me, it took the charts by storm and entered ...
sayman 07.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of 2 Future 4 U - Armand Van Helden
...etc....... But, the 2 good songs (flowers, you don't know me) are the only bits worth listening to! Most of it is just pure rubbish, and maybe you should listen to something else. It is such a shame as those two songs are just superb! I would recommend you buy a different album if you're considering this one, maybe Fat Boy Slim, or somthing.... Don't do it!!!!! ...
gches 20.10.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of 2 Future 4 U - Armand Van Helden
Product Information for "2 Future 4 U - Armand Van Helden" »
Product details
Title
2 Future 4 U
Performer
Armand Van Helden
Genre
R&B
Sub Genre
House
Release Date
27/09/1999
Original Release Year
1999
Label / Distributor
FFRR / Cinram Logistics
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
EAN
639842964326
Catalogue Number
3984296432
Additional notes
Album Notes
Personnel includes: Armand Van Helden (DJ); Tekitha, DJ Sneak, Mr. Len, Duane Harden, Mi Madre, Mita, Roland Clark. Armand Van Helden is a DJ who has gained worldwide fame by spinning around the globe and releasing albums that have rocketed to the tops of foreign charts. 2 FUTURE 4 U is a mix album made up primarily of house tracks and contains the kinds of hip-hop flavorings that have become essential ingredients in Van Helden's trademark style. For example, "Mother Earth," which opens the album, features an appearance from Tekitha of Wu-Tang Clan. The album uses clever, funky samples that mix well with the killer grooves that Van Helden supplies. Check out "The Boggie Monster," "Rock the Spot" (which features Mr. Len of Company Flow), and "U Don't Know Me" (featuring Duane Harden). Despite what it's title might lead one to believe, 2 FUTURE 4 U is perfect for this day and age.
Album Reviews
Spin (10/99, pp.162-3) - 8 out of 10 - "...[rides] the malevolent drone-swarm bass lines of darkside drum'n'bass....[a] fierce, genre-bending record." Muzik (1/00, p.70) - Ranked #14 in Muzik's "Albums Of The Year '99" Muzik (4/9, p.86) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...twisted as a blue banana....out Punks the Dafties....House music's finest maverick is still rubbing our noses in his messy brilliance..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Mother Earth
2.
Boogie Monster
3.
Business As Usual (interlude/CD/MC)
4.
Psychic Bounty Killaz
5.
Rock Da Spot (CD/MC)
6.
U Don't Know Me
7.
Alienz
8.
Summertime
9.
Yeast (interlude/CD/MC)
10.
Entra Mi Casa
11.
Flowerz
12.
Flowerz - Roland Clark
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
07/09/2000
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