noizemagazine - Index

noizemagazine - Spring 2008 Issue # 55 - Index

MusiC reVieWs
by Jamie Nicholes
WARM UP
Jason Walker Flexible
Flexible is right. The delicate white boy with Aretha’s power releases
his sophomore full-length and stretches in some funky new directions.
In contrast to his initial release, which was a fierce but homogenous
sample of sexy 1 a.m. Circuit anthems, Flexible is a more
mellow, eclectic drama club of ten unique atmospheres that explore
myriad ways to say something musically while getting a butt or two
on the dance floor.
X-Press 2 Makeshift Feelgood
Not that they needed the company, but it seems the experimental
approach of Basement Jaxx suddenly has some. On their sophomore
album, X-Press 2 takes the aggressive beats of their debut,
puts ‘em through a food processor, adds whatever it finds in the
dumpster out back, and creates a danceable chunkiness that references
way too many influences to list here. Singles from the first
album were all vocalist collaborations, so it’s no surprise that this
time around every track includes some words, and the format is
more pop-centric than the other’s club orientation. The disc’s initial
single, “Give It,” which was originally release over two years ago,
has been re-released with additional mixes by Friscia & Lamboy.
HANDS UP Abel Alegria Universo
Ever since releasing the first in this three-part series, Abel has
expanded the audience of tribal house exponentially with his
hooky, vocal presentation of the genre and a meticulous selection
of truly intoxicating tracks and remixes. Take his trademark blend
of anthemic beats and tribal percussion on Disc 1. Add tribal house
interpretations of dance artists like Tamia, Jeanie Tracy, Karen Young
and Bob Sinclar. And bake to keep the listener forever wondering
where Abel will take them next. As a counterpoint, Disc 2 is composed
of “Morning Music,” a lighter, more vocal companion to
the heavy, complicated rhythm that dominates the night. To match
the blown-out blue-and-yellow light of the hour, artists like Ultra
Naté, Southside Hustlers, Tamara Wallace, Karen Young and Frankie
Knuckles form a continually brightening mood that ends with the
sax and strings of the Freemasons’ “Pacific,” extending the Alegria
into the day ahead.
Peter Rauhofer I Love Montreal
Continuing the I Love… series, Peter ventures this time to Michael
Moore country and nestles in amongst the moose and free health
care et voila! The mixmaster’s interpretation of Montreal’s unique vie
en rose. Joining the usual cast of Star 69 artists and producers are
Dangerous Muse, Dave Audé feat. Jessica Sutta, Kaskade, Axwell,
Nelly Furtado and Noir’s re-rub of the classic jingle “My MTV.”
52