(Shock)

When I was given an opportunity to review Sancho Panza’s latest compilation – celebrating their 10 years of Notting Hill Carnival – I jumped at the chance. Having spent three Carnivals’ firmly ensconced outside their sound system dancing my heart out, I was very keen to reminisce and have a ‘wee’ listen.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Sancho Panza crowd, they like to put on quality house parties with a distinct feel to them. They began in a basement in North London on New Year’s Eve in 1992 and are now at the forefront of the UK house scene with a loyal and dedicated following. For the past 10 years they have been putting on quality parties and I’m expecting that this CD will showcase achievements.

This is a double CD mixed by Jimmy K Tell and Matt Brown. Jimmy K Tell mixes the first – UP – CD and his soul mission is to get the party going. It is this CD that gave me all the memories of the carnival and a delightful summery feeling as well.

CD1 – UP

A small dialogue between two old dears kicks off the proceedings. I found it very amusing and it never fails to make me smile. Ahhh there are some home truths in that little exchange for sure! The very mention of a “killer baseline” and the whole CD is up and running with funky basslines and latin influenced house. It definitely embodies summer in the UK and the sound systems at Notting Hill Carnival. The opening track – Where’s The Tape? by Triangle Orchestra – will pull you and and before you realize it you are caught up in some damned fine house and grooving away. Jimmy K Tell knows how to get the party moving. Organic Audio’s Good To Go is a much loved but by no means worn track and captures the spirit of this CD well. For good measure Jimmy throws in the very 70s Symphonic Tonic by Street Corner Symphony, disco beats and blaring horns! Superb!

The beats move from funky, to disco to broken but never lose the momentum, nice work Mr K Tell. And I do like those horns that keep darting in and out of the tracks. I’ve played this CD to diverse groups of friends and all of them enjoyed it.

Stand Out Tracks

Kept Secrets – Island Nights
Symphonic Tonic – Street Corner Symphony
Dream Rabbit – Frogsnatcher

CD2 – AWAY

Another cute little introduction starts this one, its an Adam Sandler dialogue this time.

Matt Brown tends to be a little more future focused on this CD and its not a bad thing at all. He begins with Brett Johnson – Temptation & Lies – and its brilliant. It is an excellent choice for a CD that is designed to be nostaligic … it has the “bomp” style 70s beats but, of course, there is an electro feel to it. Its all merging very nicely and I think it encapsulates what these guys set out to do … reminisce, have fun and bring their style of music to the party. Very well done! This style is expertly carried through the entire CD. I’m absolutely impressed at the fusion of electro through funky and 70s style beats with the house feel never being too far away.

Stand Out Tracks

Temptation & Lies – Brett Johnson
Plateaux – CPEN

Grab yourself a copy of this double CD and sit back and feel the Carnival vibes around you. Enjoy!

Delerious