(Defected/Shock)

This double mixed cd is the second in the Africanism series, an essentially French house music project co-ordinated by Defected records and Bob Sinclar’s Yellow Productions.  It features a collection of producers and DJ’s giving us their flavour of African beats, world music samples and tribal percussion.

The first CD, mixed by Bob Sinclar heads straight into his trademark 4/4 percussion and includes no less than three of his own productions.  The highlights come towards the end of the cd, with the 80’s tribal electro of Martin Solveig’s Heartbeat and Q Tee Fingers I’m Ready.  The mixing is quick and precise, leaving most tracks intact.

The second CD, mixed by Martin Solveig himself is a much smoother affair, with longer, cleaner mixes and much better use of the builds and breakdowns to create an emotive journey.  There are some more familiar names on here too:  Tony Allen and Denis Ferrer open with their shuffling West Coast influenced beats which are followed by the catchy guitar riffs and chants of Julian Jabre’s Piaxao.

Other highlights include the deep, dubby MAW production Ekabo and the fine Kenny Dope mix of DJ Gregory’s anthem Tropical Soundclash – made famous when DJ Yellow and Africanism Live dropped it on the huge Field Day pa a few years back and had the whole of the Domain grooving in the sunshine!  The mix comes to a close with the familiar voice of Martin Solveig’s own Edony and some UK soul from Phil Asher and Silent Poet on Save The Day.

You do have to wonder who this compilation is targeting.  The limited edition vinyl release is a great addition to any big party DJ’s box, giving you plenty of peak-time anthems to fill the dance floor and a solution to any Bob Sinclar request from the ladies in the front row.  As a cd for listening to at home however, I found this quite hard going.  It would be great for getting the blood pumping before heading out for a big night, but the driving and repetitive nature of the tracks can become a bit much after a while.  I guess this is another example of how hard it is to create fresh and interesting music in a genre that is starting to come out of its teenage years and struggling to find direction.