(Distinctive/Stomp)

Trust Evil Nine to put out a mix like this. Enigmatic, erratic, unpredictable, and exhilarating, the latest in this highly regarded series from Distinct’ive once again turns the standard breaks mix formula on its head. If the Y4K series were a family, this would be the broody, temperamental teenager. There is a definite raw, rock sensibility to the whole thing, whilst retaining enough drive to keep it dancefloor friendly.

False Prophet – Wake Up sets a floaty, proggy tone, which is smashed to bits abruptly by Whitey’s thrashy Two Face. The opening 4 tracks, although very different, all sit on a fairly similar, repetitive drum rhythm. The effect of this is at once entrancing and frustrating, which I can’t help but think was the intention.  

Evil Nine’s Pearlshot starts in its original form, but drops abruptly into the funky Switch Mix, a simple trick executed with class. The mix really hits its straps toward the end, beginning with the Alex Dolby’s Hazy Way. A thumping beat is disturbed gradually by stabs of piano and percussion, and slowly the whole thing degenerates into a glorious, rambling, proggy mess. It’s an absolute monster, and easily the standout track of this mix. Babe Instinct’s Disco Babes from Outer Space is another stormer, the deep, driving beat working up to a crescendo and then dissolving into Bloc Party’s Tulips.

Those after an inoffensive, middle of the road breaks mix should look elsewhere. Record store shelves are packed full of them. For those looking for something more exciting and thought provoking, this is it. In my opinion this isn’t in the same league as some previous instalments in the series (Ils for example), but it is a fascinating mix all the same, and definitely worth adding to the collection.