(Azuli/Stomp)

A DJ and producer of the deep, sexy and funky kind, UK’s ‘Danny Howells’ joins Azuli’s star studded list to compile his ‘Collection of Classics’. Wherever your knowledge/taste in music lies, this mix is faultless. From ‘Turntable Orchestra’ and ‘Pleasure Done’ to ‘Black Science Orchestra’ and ‘Faze Action’, Howells combines old anthems, rare finds and tracks that have never left his record box with climatic house gems and glorious disco grooves.

Quite a personal look into the tracks, the styles and the sounds that have shaped Howells’ career, this is definitely a proper album; one that you will be happy to groove about in from beginning to end. That said, there are some stand out moments. From 1988, ‘Turntable Orchestra’s’ ‘You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone’ is bright, beautiful and ever so cheeky, loved for its twinkling keys, gyrating basslines and spanish spoken word, Howells still loves to play this one at home for friends. Acid house fans will go completely mad for ‘Give a Little Love’ from ‘Photon Inc’, with its raw technoid edge and crazy, crazy build-ups, this gem was/is capable of turning the most inanimate of people into maniacs on the dance floor.

With the ‘Ghosts’ of his past “blowing wilder than before”, this sophisticated ballad from Japan’s ‘David Sylvian’ is a track that Howells’ grew up with and it is quite remarkable to hear how well it holds itself today. Regarded by Howells as “untouchable”, ‘Save Us’ by ‘Black Science Orchestra’ was produced and arranged by Ashley Beedle, it features Steve Lucas on vocals and is as scintillating as grooves by dusk get.

With a bounty of treasures to explore it is easy to understand why diehards love this collection so. Unfortunately, Danny Howells’ efforts wont be available until February 2006, meaning times of fun and amusement will be left up to you, but hold on tight, it will be well worth the wait.