DJ-Kicks

Paul Woolfords pirate radio-inspired Special Request project has produced dozens of heavy techno and jungle bangers, but it also has a more cerebral, conceptual side, surfacing on releases such as the cinematic double-album Belief System. Woolfords entry into the revered DJ-Kicks series takes a slow-burning approach, starting off with rushing waves and astronaut transmissions before heading into steadily paced, soulful house rather than a big bang introduction. String-laden disco and Kraftwerk-ian electro are intertwined with selections from Harvey Sutherland and Morgan Geist, and a speech excerpt about the unified field theory surfaces in the mix twice, the second time ending with a statement about reaching enlightenment. The mix continues in astral disco mode, first dipping into breakbeat techno with Speedy Js 1991 cut De-Orbit and progressing with lush, IDM-leaning club tracks from AceMo and 1995-era Micro-ziq. After segueing from more early-90s Plus 8 techno with another wash of waves, the mix kicks into higher gear with Woolfords breakbeat-infused remix of a 2001 single by FC Kahuna, transforming it from Zero 7-ish downtempo into something a bit more tense and riveting. After some out-of-control, delay-scattered electro from Galaxian, the mix finally ramps up into hardcore jungle, starting with a VIP edit of Four Horsemen of the Apocalypses 1993 darkcore classic Drowning in Her (built around a haunting forward-and-reversed sample of Robert Owens vocals from Frankie Knuckles and Satoshi Tomiies Tears). This then moves into an absolutely smashing VIP of a Special Request track by London wunderkind Tim Reaper, one of the absolute leaders of jungles new school. Its clear that this is all music with deep personal significance to Woolford, and its filled with sublime moments. ~ Paul Simpson

ヴェテランのポール・ウールフォードがベース系を推進するスペシャル・リクエスト名義で名物ミックス・シリーズに登板。序盤はいい湯加減でテック～ハウシーに進み、徐々にエレクトロ～IDMを混ぜつつ、自身のベース寄りトラックでハードめに終えるという、まるで自身の音楽遍歴を辿るような内容となっている。お手本のようにキレイなミックスではないけれど、ダイナミックにグルーヴを紡いでいく姿はDJミックスの一つの醍醐味だ。
bounce (C)藤堂てるいえ