(Subliminal/Stomp)

This release marks the second installment of the Subliminal Winter Sessions series, which sees the man behind the label – Erick Morillo, throw down two very tasty mixes in a double CD format. With such a well respected name for itself within the house scene on an international level, Subliminal has delivered another quality release full of this seasons hottest tracks with a few future hit predictions thrown in amongst them. On the release itself, Morillo says “It’s about us not having anything out during the period after summer, when all the tracks that bubble up in Ibiza are yet to hit the streets. Basically, we wanted to have a series about those tracks and now we do”.

Quite often with double CD releases, each CD will offer a different sound to the other. Whether one be a more chilled sound and the other more clubby or something similar, however in this releases case; both discs are just as quality as the other and the sound is consistent throughout both discs.

Disc One takes off with Gadjo – So Many Times which lays down a smooth and soulful foundation with its catchy vocals and jazzed up piano riffs. Some of the highlight tracks to follow include the rocking Fuzzy Hair Dub of Morillo feat Audio Bullys – Break Down the Doors, Spektrum – Kinda New (Tiefschwartz Dub) and the quirky Tiga – Pleasure From the Bass.

Morillo’s mixing is quite subtle and smooth which means that the mixing doesn’t detract from the individual tracks at all. His timing in regards to mixing is clever though, so listeners will still be impressed with when and how he chooses to introduce and fade out each track however there are little to no major effects or tricks overriding any of the mixes. The selection of tracks are quite varied in terms of sound and tempo (though all of course fall into the house genre) and the programming on Morillo’s behalf allows for each of these differing tracks to slip in smoothly next to each other.

Saeed Younan – You know I’ve Got It leads Disc Two which sets a nice, more progressive based tone with its chugging and constant bass accompanied with those rather peculiar yet fitting robotic style vocals. Introducing the trademark piano riff of the next track off the ranks Soul Central – Strings of Life (Martijn Ten Velden & Mark Knight’s Toolroom Mix) early on makes for a nice intro and then smooth transition mix. Continuing on with a light progressive sound and then building things up to a louder and faster tempo, some of the more happening tracks Morillo gets through include: Wink – Evil Acid, Dirt Technic – I Love You, Phunk Electric – Red Hot (Funka Mix) and the truly whacked (in a good way) sounds of Whirlpool Productions – From Disco to Disco.

This second volume is a great follow up to last years initial release and proves that Subliminal is still very much on the ball in terms of quality house tracks and compilation releases. Morillo’s clever selection and programming of upfront tracks across the range of house; both well known and future hit predictions, makes for yet another excellent house release just in time to be enjoyed during our coming summer season.