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Various Artists - 'Atlantic Jaxx – A Compilation Vol 2' (Atlantic Jaxx) Released 13/02/06

What a joke...

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Atlantic JaxxA few golden moments aside ('Good Luck', 'Where’s Your Head At', 'Just One Kiss'), it seems the more Basement Jaxx try to move away from their upfront/soulful house sounds of their debut 'Remedy', the less in touch with what actually works on the dancefloor they become.  So, it comes as a relief that this compilation sees the London duo getting back to basics, selecting the choicest cuts from their label including sixx (well, if they can use two ‘x’s, so can we) nuggets of their own.
 
Picking up where volume 1 left off, fiesta vibes abound, from the Jaxx’s own immense 'City People' and the insistent vocal track 'Betta Daze' to the funky chanting of Brazil X Plosian’s 'Berimbal'.  But it’s not all samba-fied fun – Housebreakerz’ 'Help Myself' is a 'Kish Kash'-esque clunking chunk of hooligan house while 'We R Computa' shows that the electroclash movement didn’t pass by without Felix and Simon taking note.
 
Unfortunately, some of the solo artists’ tracks let the side (2) down badly.  'I Love You Baby' by Gwyn Jay Allen and 'Don’t Stop' by Phil Linton are piss-weak soul grooves; the latter in particular sounding like something Luther Vandross would have left in the vaults.   Elsewhere, if listened to in the wrong mood, the constant plonking of Brazilian piano and clattering of carnival drums can leave the listener feeling like they’ve been trapped in some kind of Bacardi ad hell. 
 
Overall, however, this compilation serves as a reminder of what Basement Jaxx do best, and their signature sound reverberates across all thirteen productions.  The disc closes with the warm, gentle breaths of synth that make up their 'Urban Haze': a suggestion as to what strange places 'Kish Kash' may’ve headed if they’d decided to follow their instincts and record an ambient album.  Here, though, it’s the rising of the sun, as the pills plateau and party dwindles down to just you and a couple of old, good friends.  Welcome back the house that Jaxx built.       

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  • @Gigwise I could see his reflection in the piano. He did look in pain when he was singing :) hehe
    chelle_83 on Fri Sep 18 15:02:56 via TweetDeck
  • @Gigwise ATM Has to be Papillon. LOVE it. I went CRAZY when they played it. Not as crazy as the guy in the front row....
    chelle_83 on Fri Sep 18 15:02:21 via TweetDeck
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