Fuse Presents Hell

This is a welcome relief from the typical Teutonic style of hard-harder-hardest techno. German DJ/producer and label head Hell (previously known as DJ Hell) mixed this elaborate CD for Belgium mega-club Fuse, where he holds a highly regarded residency along with international DJs Carl Craig and Dave Clark. Refusing to limit himself by tempo or style, Hell covers more territory on this single disc than a dozen average mix CDs put together. Opening curiously with the tech-trance of Speedy J's "Evolution," Hell immediately drops into sleazy house with the X-rated monologue of Che's "The Incident." Building back up to electro beats, with a sidestep for the Bowie-meets-no wave Tuxedomoon, Hell peaks with the Donna Summers disco classic, "I Feel Love." But the CD is only half over. The second half is a freak fest of acid house, electro, and techno. Hell finds tracks containing cold war nuclear drill samples, Kraftwerk's "Pocket Calculator" quotes, and the theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. A broad, imaginative, and quirky mix that keeps the listener wholly engaged while never forgetting about the dancefloor. ~ Joshua Glazer|