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(Perfecto/Stomp)
It still amazes me that even in today’s cluttered dance music scene there are DJs out there who push and maintain a style plainly all their own. I see Lee Coombs as one of those DJs, standing out from the flock of breakbeat DJs now slowly expanding from the UK. With a background in acid house, interest in Coombs distinctive style has been steadily growing since the release of his Future Sound of Retro CD on Fingerlickin’ Records.
Beginning with Coombs sublime remix of Lamb’s Sweet, old-skool electro snares and a chugging bass line soon interweave with the acid house tinged Two Men on a Trip, Coombs collaboration of last year with Meat Katie. The opening mix is impressive, and the intensity is held through the next few tracks (Santos – No Ticket No Run [Original Mix], wicked bass line and guitar riff, think New Order! Danny Sullivan – Snakecharmer [Lee Coombs Remix], nice tribal-esque breaks) to Soul of Man’s tried and true dancefloor filler Dirty Waltzer, albeit the updated Dirty Leroy Mix.
The ensuing three tracks are so suitably mixed that they seem to flow on as one 13 minute masterpiece, with Coombs’ own productions (Tekno Meltdown [Original Vibe Mix] and Rollin [Original Version]) sandwiching Lee’s Acid House Revival Mission Re-edit of Joey Beltram’s Energy Flash. Next up are the two surprising classics included on the CD, with Coombs taking to Moby’s I Feel It (Lee’s Feel the Drums Re-edit) and Jam the Mace (Lee Coombs’ 2002 Warehouse Remake) thanks to House Syndicate (Kenny Dope).
Now at the business end of the mix, Coombs includes some of his remix work completed with Danny Howells on Joe Smooth’s Promised Land (Danny Howells & Lee Coombs’ Cheeky Little Re-edit), then choosing to close the CD with funky and tribal drums of Djum Djum – The Difference (Lee’s ‘I Love it!’ Re-edit).
One of the most impressive aspects of Coombs Perfecto mix, is the fact that every single tracks featured has either been produced, remixed or simply cut-up significantly by the man himself. This is undoubtedly the characteristic of the CD that gives it such a distinctive and individual sound. While Coombs’ tagline of ‘The Future Sound of Retro’ may seem like an oxy-moron, upon listening to one of his mixes it all becomes rather clear. Interspersed with a variety of retro sounding samples, top-notch track selection and tight mixing, I’d say Coombs’ latest mix is a must have for anyone into the housier side of breaks, or the breakier side of house.
