Uitgebracht
27 September 2004
- It’s almost ridiculous the amount of quality compilations that have been released in 2004. One label that has proven to be this year’s front runner is UK’s Renaissance. Beginning with the reintroduction of “The Masters Series” earlier this year, Hernan Cattaneo set about creating a lush progressive soundscape that truly catapulted him in the major leagues. Not long after progressive fans were treated to the sounds of “The Therapy Sessions” mixed by Dave Seaman and one of Australia’s favourite DJs, Phil K. In July, dance music’s favourite whiz kid, James Zabiela further cemented his ever-growing popularity with the release of his brilliant contribution to Renaissance in the form of “Alive”.
Having made his debut with this influential label in 2003 with his inaugural “Everybody” mix in 2003, Sander Kleinenberg continues the theme of excellence with his second installment, “This Is Everybody Too”. While the first proved to be extremely favourable to me, this new release has further established my liking of this talented Dutch DJ and producer.
The first part of “This Is Everybody Too” begins with the quiet beats of “Disappearing Objects” by Christian Kleine with the pace picking up with Junior Boys’ “Birthday”. The vocals are very haunting and suit the minimal feel of this track. Following on is Tanzmann & Voight’s “Dining Room” with its deeper house sound, which is more groove than funk. This is further explored with Hot Toddy’s “Mindtrip”, which has a slight increase in tempo. The mix is taken to another level with Hiratzka & Kazell’s “In Your Eyes”. The dubby melodic bassline makes this track very much a standout and while quite funky, it’s more old skool funk than anything else.
Up next, we move into definite progressive territory with Hamel’s Last Time for 9 Mix of “Into Nothing” by Michael Burns presents Blue Haze. A very atmospheric soundscape and infectious beat. The breakdown and eventual build up is quite effective. Continuing on with the progressive tip but with a slightly edgier feel is the Greed Is Evil mix of Rowan Blades and Chris Lake’s “Filth”. Another track that after the initial breakdown resonates into a wonderful melody.
One of best bands to emerge from the early 80’s in Australia was undoubtedly The Machinations. Hearing Infusion’s electro flavoured reinterpretation, “Do To You In ‘82”, of one of their best tracks took me back in time and made me remember exactly how good this band was. Now all I want is for Infusion to work their magic on another Machinations number, “Pressure Sway”, and I’d be one happy woman! The Tiefshwarz Dub of Spektrum’s “Kinda New” is up next and with its quirky hooks and punkish bass, the mix has been taken into the electro side of house music. I can understand why this has been played to death by some DJs because I can see it being a dancefloor favourite. Following on is the bouncing bass of “The Deutche Song” from Psycho Radio vs Daf. While simple in structure, its success as a track definitely lies in that bass which is quite infectious.
I was somewhat surprised to see Planet Funk’s “The Switch”, which is next but King Unique’s remix has given it a nice edgy feel without destroying its melodic hook. The halting beats of Hydroponix’s “Don’t Stop Go” in the guise of the Mirabeau Main Room Mix is up next which halfway through took on an almost completely different feel. What I thought was a bit tribal in feel initially changed into a stomping progressive number. Love it! To cap off the first part of Sander’s new compilation is a track by the man himself. While maintaining that stomping feel from the previous track, “The Right Time” pushes that idea more with its rich melody and bleepy elements. This only makes me want more.
The second part of this compilation begins with the minimal sounds of Robag Wruhme’s “Hugendubel” and then moves onto the acidic bass of Sander Kleinenberg’s “The Fruit”. The funky yet acidic bassline of this particular track shows another musical side of Sander and one that I quite like. It’s the cheeky vocals that lend another element to this track that just make you smile. The slightly breakbeat infused sounds of Skai’s “Mir Geht’s Gut” is up next and a track that I would love to hear one night. Following on are the edgy beats of the Garbo & Liede Remix of Jules Spinner featuring Ab’s “Rollin’ On”. There’s a touch of electro in the treble which works well with the chugging beats which would get anyone up and dancing.
Next up is one of my favourite tracks on this compilation with the Nic Fanciulli Skylark Dub Remix of Deepsky’s “Talk Like A Stranger”. It’s the dubby yet melodic bass that grabs you straight away. It’s definitely a track that can work as a progressive tune but also, if remixed another way, as a breakbeat number. With Ericke’s “Ya Don’t Stop” we get another one those progressive stormers with its addictive melody and rolling bass. The breakdown just screams ‘hands in the air’ action.
I didn’t think things could get any better until I started hearing the opening chords of the Wally Lopez Dubby Remix of Shineygrey’s “Why”. I’ve heard this in a number of live sets lately and have been aching to know what it was. So you can imagine my joy when I started hearing this whomping tribal inspired beats being introduced into the mix. Simply awesome! The guitar sample sounds of Nufrequency’s “808” follows on perfectly. This is one track that has a definite summertime feel because of its uplifting composition. It’ll make you dance on the nearest beach. With Psycatron’s “7th Morning 03.20” the mix is taken back to a slightly tribal feel with the gradual halting beats but like most things in the overall feel of this release, nothing is what it appears to be. Halfway through a wonderfully soaring melody is introduced that changes the tune completely and takes you to another level.
A tougher bass is introduced through Dimas & Riva’s “Work Together” which now adds a more driving feel to the mix but another turn is taken with the Rene Amesz Remix of Eday’s “Party To The Music”. The beats are much chunkier now and have that stomp like quality that finds you nodding your head in time to the rhythm. And just when you’re happily rocking away to these beats, the soaring chords of the E-mission Mix of Redanka’s “Waves” can be heard creeping into the mix. My God! What a fantastic track! The melody just builds and soars and that beat is enough to drive any dancefloor crazy. I desperately want to hear this in a club. Just when you think you can’t get enough, the calming strains of the Bay of Islands Mix of this same track are heard. A beautifully tranquil way to end the second part of one of the year’s best compilation.
I had the pleasure of reviewing Sander’s first installment last year, which became one of my favourite compilations from 2003. It has since proven to be an even bigger winner with me because a year after its release, I’m still playing it and still thoroughly enjoying it. As such, I was looking forward to this new release immensely. But at the same time, I was also hesitant in my eagerness simply because I didn’t want to be let down if the mix wasn’t as enjoyable as the first. Well, I worried for nothing because ‘This Is Everybody Too’ outshines its predecessor more than I could have imagined. The most obvious aspect to this new release from Sander Kleinenberg is the level of maturity that can be felt after hearing both discs. This isn’t a compilation slapped together by a DJ and labeled a ‘progressive’ mix simply for the sake of gaining some sense of credibility. Time, effort and care has obviously been taken into selecting each track and programming them in a way that will enhance not just one tune but how the combination of all these will sound together.
The overall feel of this mix is much deeper but without losing its funkiness. From the first track on CD1 right through to the last track on CD2 the compilation grabbed my attention and never once wavered. It’s hard for me to put a general description of the music that’s presented because it’s combination of a few different styles. While predominantly a progressive release, there are also the odd touches of electro, the slight influences of tribal beats and deeper house sounds. There’s even a hint of breakbeat that creates another facet to this compilation. More than anything, you can’t help but smile from sheer pleasure when hearing the addictive basslines in some of the tunes. From a technical perspective, the mixing is simple but precise. There are no tricks to be had on this because the music is so good that it doesn’t need to be camouflaged by technical wizardry. Simply put, this compilation is one hell of an enjoyable trip! It’s a trip that I will continue to enjoy for a long time.
Hmmm… it’s the funk that makes it funky!
TracklistCD1: another attempt won (or perhaps it came last?)
1. Christian Kleine – Disappearing Objects
2. Junior Boys – Birthday
3. Tanzmann & Voight – Dining Room
4. Hot Toddy – Mindtrip
5. Hiratzka & Kazell – In Your Eyes
6. Michael Burns presents Blue Haze – Into Nothing (Hamel’s Last Time for 9 Mix)
7. Rowan Blades & Chris Lake – Filth (Greed Is Evil Mix)
8. Infusion – Do To You In ’82
9. Spektrum – Kinda New (Tiefshwarz Dub)
10. Psycho Radio vs Daf – The Deutche Song
11. Planet Funk – The Switch (King Unique Pushin Vocal)
12. Hydroponix – Don’t Stop Go (Mirabeau Main Room Mix)
13. Sander Kleinenberg – The Right Time
CD2: another attempt too
1. Robag Wruhme – Hugendubel
2. Sander Kleinenberg – The Fruit
3. Skai – Mir Geht’s Gut
4. Jules Spinner featuring Ab – Rollin’ On (Garbo & Liede Remix)
5. Deepsky – Talk Like A Stranger (Nic Fanciulli Skylark Dub Remix)
6. Ericke – Ya Don’t Stop
7. Shineygrey – Why (Wally Lopez Dubby Remix)
8. Nufrequency – 808
9. Psycatron – 7th Morning 03.20
10. Dimas & Riva – Work Together
11. Eday – Party To The Music (Rene Amesz Remix)
12. Redanka – Waves (E-mission Mix)
13. Redanka – Waves (Bay of Islands Mix)