Subliminal Sessions One – Erick Morillo

I have had the Erick Morillo – Ministry Sessions Nine CD on high rotation for about 3 years now so imagine my delight when someone had thoughtfully stuck a poster advertising his latest mix CD on my front fence! Morillo delivers a great mix of funky New York and deep house with splashes of tribal and electro sounds that keep his style sounding fresh. Familiar names such as Junior Boys Own and Hooj tunes feature as well as Morillo’s own Subliminal and Sondos labels.

CD1 starts off with some vocal funky garage – “Bringin’ the Funk” by CZR & ITO followed by some nice funky guitar on “Night @ The Black by another New York stalwart Harry “Choo Choo” Romero. The soulful voice of Jule McKnight complements the New York beat of “Finally” by Kins Of Tomorrow starting off a great section of female vocal house. Shawnee Taylors’ voice features on the next 3 tracks with Austins Groove by Kid Crème. The strong Bassline of “Bel Amour” signifies the end of CD 1’s vocal section and deeper sounds continuing through to the popular deep/progressive feel of the popular “Release” by Medway. “Suck My Clock” from Harry “Choo Choo” Romero has a good tribal sound that you might find in Tenaglia’s box. The next tune “Force” by Technasia features (from what I can tell) a Depeche Mode Sample giving it a more London feel. That legendary track “Voices” gets the deep tribal treatment from Pete Heller to finish off the 1st mix.

The second CD starts with a harder beat than the 1st with the serious vocals of Justice Keys on “Bring Back That Feeling” by Jason Jinx. “I Am The Drum” by Organized Noize gives out a good Tribal/Deep Acid sound prior to the middle of the mix softening up a little with a series of acappella overlays. Some great mixing on “Moments” by Mr G is followed by the finger lickin funk of “Mr Jingles” by Eric Prydz. Morillo then experiments with a few new sounds. “Sputnik” by Stylus Trouble has an Electro Funk feel with an intense build-up section followed by some Brazillian Percussion on the fabulous Payback mix of “Whackass MF” by Rythymkillaz. No prizes for what the MF stands for in the sample! Lightening up a little once again with a bit of vocal funk, “Keep On Touchin’ Me” by Jaimy & Kenny D is the quintessential New York sound complete with Police Sirens! Some good old piano house updated for the Noughties by Harry “Choo Choo” Romero follows the deep space funk of “Rock You Rock You” by Those 2. The grand finally to this great mix is “Tracy In My Room” by EBTG (Everything But The Girl) vs. Soul Vision featuring the unforgettable vocal rift of “wrong” to round everything of in a classic style.

If you like both funky and deep house on a New York Tip then this CD is for you. It’s a little disappointing not to hear the huge voice of Jocelyn Brown but her protégés do a great job anyway. This is sure to give my Discman a work out for a long time to come.

PS The Billposter is now in my bedroom!