Advantages: Flows like a complete album, hugely varied for 'dance' album Disadvantages: Could be difficult to find (try the usual web music retailers)
...on either unmixed vinyl or mix CD. Gives a taste of how the artist finds his inspirations with some standout cuts from Vicenzo, Rivera Rotation, Yann Fontaine and Needs. Mostly house like on Since Then but some darker twists and disco moments. Play before going out on a Saturday night... ... more
Ian Pooley could well be about to becoe this year's Moloko with probably the most deserving and poignant Ibizan crossover tune since..well, Moloko. Rarely you get the opportunity to hear an album of such luscious depth and variety in the 'Dance' bracket but this really is a cut above anything the critics are classing as 'groundbreaking' at the moment. Balmes (A Better Life) is the new single that is set to become massive and the previous single, 900 Degrees also did well but amongst the clubbing and DJ friendly crowd. Also look out for Caracou Tambor, a lovely track that really epitomizes the album. Imagine the best aspects of Basement Jaxx's 'Remedy' album rolled into around 5 minutes and your on the right lines. If you like dance music where it just flows over you like a warm summer breeze but still like to be a cool cat when it comes to name dropping, then this will fit the bill. Most of this has a distinctly latin house feel and incorporates real live musicians..particularly rare for a house genre record. There are a couple of tracks that err on the experimental side that may not be to everyones taste however. If you've been disapointed by the new Faithless and particularly the new Basement Jaxx effort 'Rooty', this will renew your faith that there is still a market for fresh ideas amongst the inevitable enslaught of dance compilations for the summer. Buy now and save your souls!
Look out for the special edition of this album that has the new version of Balmes (A Better Life) feat. Esthero on vocals. This soaring yet fragile vocal makes the track sound twice as good as the original instrumental. Also included on the enhanced edition is 900 Degrees (Tom Middleton Cosmos Mix) which is pulsating house and transforms the track into a space like journey with a super cool breakdown/build-up in the middle.
For a follow up album to this, try Ian Pooley's Nite:Life 6 mix album on either unmixed vinyl or mix CD. Gives a taste of how the artist finds his inspirations with some standout cuts from Vicenzo, Rivera Rotation, Yann Fontaine and Needs. Mostly house like on Since Then but some darker twists and disco moments. Play before going out on a Saturday night...
