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Mark Farina indulges in a little oriental goodness in his recently produced Live in Tokyo CD. If you have a great understanding of who Mark Farina is and the calibre of music that he mixes, then there’s no doubt that instead of reading this review, you would either by now already have had purchased this CD or heading out the door to do so. For those dance music lovers who haven’t had so much of a privilege in indulging in previous Mark Farina delights, let me explain further…
If God, was a house music DJ, I’d firmly believe that Mark Farina would be a sure guess. But lets make the music do the talking. The very first thing to note about Mark Farina is his superb track selection and his homage to other great producers as evident in any CD that he has previously mixed. For example, DJ Sneak’s Sticky Sheeit, a track oozing creativity from another great producer in the business, comprises many interesting concepts and upmost character. Mark Farina’s identification of another great track, Myungho Choi’s Red Umbrella is a masterpiece smothered in an Asian flavoured touch and is a awesome little surprise to experience near the start of the CD. Red Umbrella, backed up by live vocals is the most happening track I believe on the CD, engulfed in jacking, energetic and flawless characteristics. Superb right up to the tip of the top ice cube floating in your martini on the rocks.
Add a little chill factor comprising of the native lyrics in Bonde Fumigante’s name sake track and it’s not long until the meaty beats kick in for Bear Who? feat. Pamp’s U Step which brings you back up to a danceable speed. Energetic, bass driven, and smooth from the start to the end. Live FX sampling in this track helps build an atmosphere around the track and makes you feel surreal in the generous amounts of sass and funk. From the serenity of great music to music more characterised by quiet after work drinks, there’s no lack of righteousness in this elegantly designed CD. Live sets have always been more of a personal favourite of me. This ‘live’ set specifically entails the precise timing of recently seen re-produced live sets, but the great part is that it is still evidently found from the live tracks gracing themselves with chill represented pauses between the energetic, flourishing meaty beats and bass lines.
Mark Farina’s passion is distinctly seen through his track selection and the emphasis on delivering a real aural experience and that’s what differentiates him from the mundane norm. Being a live produced set also enhancing the creativity that Mark Farina not only has as a producer, but also as an entertainer. Accapellas, live FX sampling and familiar loops from previous produced tracks and the divine technical wizardry of his multi layering ability, makes sure nobody can be denied of a great array of boot twisting, hip shaking tracks that let the aural goodness turn into rhythmic body movements so easily.
Loaded with jazzy melodies and a differential approach throughout the tracks aluminises the skill and the beauty that this maestro elegantly bring out the best of modern house music. Once again, the live element of J West’s Where You Belong drives the saucy bass lines and meaty drum-infused beats straight to your aural receptors and boils the blood in the depths of your veins. Energy is abundantly present and when it’s not it’s replaced with chill-filled beats, sophistication and artistry that complements the truck load of energy throughout the CD like a nice smoothing chaser of a fine quality imported beer after a biting shot of sambuca.
Add tracks also included on the CD like as Marlo’s Another One, and the final song by Freaks Boiling Point and there’s nothing missing from this CD. There’s energy, there’s technical mastery, there’s creativity and there’s an ever glowing aura. From the very first track to the very last track, everything symbolises what we have came to learn about Mark Farina. He’s one great entertainer who always heavenly mixes up some really awesome tracks!
