Kraak & Smaak’s debut release, Boogie Angst, is a hook-filled funkfest. The Dutch trio (Mark Kneppers, Wim Plug and Oscar De Jong) dance around hip-hop, funk, jazz and house genres, mixing them up to create “Dance music to listen to.” While they may hop from genre to genre, wherever they stop, they give the style… Read More Kraack & Smaak – Boogie Angst
Chill is the latest CD from Code Indigo, a collaboration between David Wright and Robert Fox. Both artists work in various combinations with others and in solo formats, but have an ongoing relationship as a new age/ambient/space rock group as Code Indigo. On this album, Wright & Fox are joined by Dave Massey (production, rhythm… Read More Code Indigo – Chill
DJ Shadow’s The Outsider is a interesting, but frustrating collection of tracks from a DJ well-known for his creative use of samples, remixing and electronics. It’s clear from the CD that DJ Shadow has talent out the wazoo. Unfortunately, Shadow goes in a dozen directions, flitting from style to style and collaborator to collaborator. Is… Read More DJ Shadow – The Outsider
Jimmy James’ Jamestown is an oddity in already odd world of dance electronica. James, according to his site, is an actor, singer, songwriter, recording artist, cabaret performer and dance music diva. He’s also an impressionist that does Cher, Madonna, Elvis, both Sonny & Cher, Liza Minneli, both Nat King and Natalie Cole, Boy George and… Read More Jimmy James – Jamestown
Nighttime Calls, and if you’re looking for straight-ahead euro dance/trance music to liven up the evening, Sylver delivers with this CD. Sylver, made up of the vocalist Silvy De Bie and dj/producer Wout van Dessel, hit the charts in Europe a few years ago with their debut single Turn the Tide. As you might expect… Read More Sylver – Nighttime Calls
The Tenth Planet is the latest CD from synth artist David Wright, and captures the music from two live planetarium performances that he did earlier this year. Wright is a UK keyboardist, synthesist and composer, and his style grows out of the classic tradition of Berlin-school synth artists like Tangerine Dream and the more melodic… Read More David Wright – The Tenth Planet
Raistalla, the self-titled debut CD from “electro-funk, soul punk” artist Raistalla. Raistalla previously worked as a professional dancer, working with Madonna, Outkast, Missy Elliot and others. More recently, she’s been making music and touring to promote it. She’s had #1 singles in both Europe and Canada, and her CD brings together these singles with a… Read More Raistalla – Raistalla
No One Else is the debut single/EP from Natalie Walker. The release features the track No One Else, with three remixes, and Circles. The single No One Else is a attractive love song delivered in a longing, yet forlorn way, by Walker. Walker is backed by underwater Enoesque piano and downtempo orchestration that brings to mind… Read More Natalie Walker – No One Else
Shape Your Shade is an unusual but interesting EP from Spies Under Von Magnet Influence. The music is written by Holeg and Von Magnet and arranged, mixed and produced by Spies. The music draws on a variety of influences, ranging from ambient to classical Indian to flamenco. The highlight of the EP is the 8:32… Read More Spies Under Von Magnet Influence – Shape Your Shade
This CD sat in limbo for a long time, because the review copy “features” intrusive copy-protection. The first thing it tries to do when you listen to it on a computer is pop up a window and try to install something. It’s too bad, because the The Cosmic Game captures Thievery Corporation doing what they… Read More Thievery Corporation – The Cosmic Game
