WRUV Reviews

The album and movie Re:Generation follows five DJs (DJ Premier, Mark Ronson, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, and The Crystal Method) explore remix and re-create five different music genres.  Ranging from New Orleans Bayou to traditional Classical music the DJs put their own creative styles on these genres.  For instance DJ Premier blends Hip Hop and Classical while Pretty Lights mixes Dance and Trip Hop beats to the Country/Folk track Wayfaring Stranger.  While not a new concept to mix two different genres together, it seems these DJs want to explore the deeper meanings of music and what it means to them and to the listener.  An interesting idea and the music is interesting as well.

Tracks: All Good

Framebreaker Reimixed is a remix album of Return to Mono’s Framebreaker album.  Some of the remixing artists include Katzenwaffe, Lunchbox Riot, and Le Crayon to name a few.  The music is upbeat Dance with elements of 8-bit, Dubstep, Pop Dance and Disco Dance.  The tracks are catchy and enthusiastic but a bit on teh repetitive side but still highly danceable.

Tracks: 2,7,8,9,10,13

Released in 2007, Fat Fingers by James Livingston is just getting to us now.  The music is part Experimental, part Found-Sound and part goofy.  The track names are kind of goofy as well with names like Dirty Dirigible, On Green Dolphy Street and Rubber Duppy.  The kookier aspects of the album though, aren’t overpowering and as the album progresses you appreciate the creativiness of the album.  This album may be a hidden gem that is only now starting to shine in the light. Well worth a listen.

RIYD: Trayer, Autechre

Tracks: 3,4,6,7,8

The Art Of Influence Remixed is a remix album of The Art Of Influence by  Second Sky.  The tracks are a mix of World Downtempo/Dance blended with Soul, Pop, Arabic, Afro-beat, and Indian influences.  The result is an eclectic album that has a dreamy yet sunny vibe to it.  It’s like having a party at a desert oasis, drinking cool cocktails under date trees while watching camel races with beautiful people of various nationalities.  Listen for yourself and conjure up your ouwn sunshine filled vision.

RIYD: Thievery Corp.,Underworld

Tracks: All Good

Vibrance is a 2010 release from Seattle based musician, James Whetzel.  Whetzel who’s talents include playing the sarod, bass, darbouka, drums and synths brings an Electro, Psyche Folk sound mixed with a strong World Beat flair.  Whetzel’s vocals have an airiness to them which mixes well with the Indian influences threaded into the tracks.  The album is more like an EP or singles album with three tracks with a remix for each.  Overall, a solid album, the music and lyrics have a strong base to them yet have a refreshing lightness as well.

Tracks: All Good

Self-titled debut from Escort is all about the Nu-Disco movement that is the hot genre right now.  This has an early 80’s sound that is reminiscent of the Tom Tom Club but also has 70’s Disco/Funk elements as well.  The album seems like it’s built around Adeline Michele’s vocals which are sexy and cheerful and have a “I’m gonna get into trouble tonight but not too much trouble” edge to them.  A solid debut that showcases the NYC Nu-Disco movement.

RIYD: Tom Tom Club, Cubic Zirconia, Little Dragon

Tracks: 2,3,6,7,8,10,11

You can read the first review at http://reviews.wruv.org/author/justintime/page/3/

Here is what I have to say on top, and it can get some play in Rock as well.  Does FCC count if it’s not in English? If so, I don’t speak Portuguese so I can’t tell you if they are swearing in this recording. I can only tell you if it sounds good of not. International house w/world beats & vocals, dubstep, reggaeton feel to it. RIYL – MIA (3), Peaches (6), Tracks - 1, 4,6,10,11 FCC – ??? supposedly 1,4,6

Added 12/15/2011

Another duplicate CD that can get plays in another genre (urban).  You can read a more detailed review at http://reviews.wruv.org/author/justintime/page/3/

My 2 cents, The kid has plenty of years ahead of him, he is only 22.  Funky deep house, groove, some dubstep, cheesy synth and beats, some rap (8,10) and vocals (2,4,9,11,12) Tracks – 2,4,7,8 -12. RIYL – Toddla T, Smoove & Turrell FCC – 8

Added 12/15/2011

The station was able to get multiple copies of this cd one of which is already in the RPM section and has already been reviewed by Justin.  You can find it here –>http://reviews.wruv.org/author/justintime/page/3/

He did most of the write up so to keep it short, this copy will be going into the Indie section as well.  Some extra bullet points.  Synth, world drum beats, some vocals, running beat rhythms, and some industrial flair to the recordings. Tracks – 3,6,7,8,9 RIYL – DJ Kaos & DJ Tazz, Chemical Brothers, Flight of the Conchords, Duran Duran FCC – Clean

Added – 12/15/2011

The latest from Seekae is titled +Dome.  The music has a certain Ambient mellowness to it similar to Tycho but it has some Dubstep and Electro Hip Hop elements that pumps it up a bit.  The resulting sound is smooth and chilled with an upbeat undercurrent that keeps things going.  Like smoking a joint and having an espresso at the same time.  A nice combination that adds a freshness to the Electronica genres.

RIYD: Alias, Tycho, Flying Lotus

Tracks: All Good