The boys from Nukleuz are back, this time commisioning Ilogik to mix CD1 of the Hardbeat extravaganza, and in a move sure to be welcomed by CD DJs, the second disc includes full unmixed tracks!
CD1
Starting off like a BK-A-Thon, we have 8 out of the first 10 tracks that are either produced or remixed by him. Computa Muzik, Through The Night & Clattered are the first 3 of these. Computa Muzik is a bouncy affair, with a kickdrum designed especially for such a track. The Bassline is effective, and although there is not too much variation or melody, the occasional scratching from Ilogik helps add depth that may otherwise be lacking. After this, Through the Night begins with the vocal and deep bassy sounds, soon accompanied by a bassline and a long drawn out breakdown. To carry on, we get Clattered, which is a pretty mad affair, with a vocal that I cannot make out what’s said, but it’s repeated over & over and the accompanying tune is very bouncy.
To follow on from this is the well known track, Cortina – Higher which has been around for a long time and is well known amongst hard house fans. 3 More BK Tracks follow this up, Put it on, Muzik 4 the People and Drop the Beat. All of these are standard tracks, with your usual bassline and hard-house stereotype sounds incorporated in one place or another with Drop the Beat probably being the toughest and best of these tracks.
More Scratching takes place, from a DJ who’s love for it helps add something to his sets, and we continue with a remix of Andy Farley’s Bring it Back before a slightly trancier affair from BK in Wanna Ride which is still predominantly a Hard House track, just with more melody than in other tracks. This is an improvement for sure.Yet another BK tune is next, a James Lawson remix of the well known Bad Ass which needs little to no introduction to fans of Ben’s Music.
The popular Defective Audio carry on the journey with Execution which has a cool deep melody, pounding kick and awesome breakdown adding up to a strong effort. No prizes for guessing which artist follows up this… yes it’s BK again with P.O.S.51 which again like a lot of his newer work has a good melody and incorporates some trancier sounds into his Hard House track, although not too many to make it come under that category. In the last few months I’ve reviewed many tracks in this style, and one of the duos I’ve been most impressed with are Rowland & Wright. They make an appearance on this cd with Deeper which typifies their new approach to music that has injected some life into the style. A strong track here which is like the name on the tin says, Deeper and impressive also.
Moving onto the closing stages of the disc, you will come across Drop the Bass Now!, Phenomenon and Circular Saw 2004. Drop the bass now is a very standard effort, which works well in the context of the cd. Phenomenon is a lot stronger in my personal opinion and really pumping, helping to lead upto Circular Saw 2004 which definitely gives the effect of being cut up by one aurally. Strong work to end the cd, with the last 2 tracks especially.
CD2
This disc contains the following unmixed tracks in this order:
Ali Wilson & Matt Smallwood - The Storm Daley & W.M.D. - Trance Off Rowland & Wright - Deeper Champion Burns - Fuck You Up BK - Wanna Ride BK - Computa Muzik R.F.O. - Dig the Bass BK - Please Fuck Me (Defective Audio Remix) Defective Audio - Execution Andy Farley - Bring it Back (Paul Clarke & M.Ramone Remix)
This disc includes 5 tracks from the Mixed CD, and other offerings, of which The Storm, Trance Off and Please Fuck Me are the best of the rest. This cd has been left unmixed just for CD DJs to be able to play the tracks out & about, and I have to welcome this move from Nukleuz, keeping up with what people want is hard, but I believe they've done so this time.
Conclusion:
The Mix cd is well mixed with added scratching, however it is not quite as good as the Sundissential vs Nukleuz CD from Ilogik which I reviewed a while back. The Unmixed disc gains a couple of marks, giving the full album overall a respectable mark.
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