a superb 2 cd set compiled by playgroup (aka trevor jackson), and alter ago.
while there are message boards rattling about the validity of the varied tracklisting being strictly electro, or, more to the point, that the acts included are kings of electro, these 2 cds make for a great way to pass a couple of hours with the dipping of its toes into the era when electro based hip hop was fun, and the music was all about the party and not the sales.
subsequently, when gary numans melody for classic cars surfaces during just rock by fearless four, or the grey cell kick start you have due to the appearance of whodinis party stomper, magic’s wand, (produced by thomas dolby !) you just know that after a few spins you are going to be wanting to dig out those old electrosounds tapes hidden in the attic and revive the lost art of body poppin’ in your living room.
maybe.
as cd1 is a playgoup set, with trevor jacksons depth of knowledge, it is to be expected that there are going to be some leftfield turns and sure enough, the dropping in of unusual choices by pop munchkins deee-light, (the forgotten brilliance of what is love), or the synth-pop overload of visages pleasure boys, you do wonder about the criteria laid down prior to the compiling of the set.
still, its a fine mix full of fun and shoulder padded excess.
however, over on the second disc, alter ego goes for a much more purist spin on the genre with a lack of pop thrills, and more focus on the love of analogue machine manipulation, with a definite nod towards the techno based side of the coin, and the morphing of the genre into the darker grooves of the original minimal acid house noise that eminated from chicago. with this in mind, alter ego provides the pummelling synths of plastkman and kenny larkin, the blinding bleeps of robert hood and surprises coming eyebrow raising additions, mu (an old output records act formed by dance guru maurice fulton, good to see nepotism is alive and well !), and the mainstream dance collective, chicken lips.
each disc in the set has been given a definite direction in mood and style : party or purity.
the difficult choice is all yours as to which one to love the most.
more detail : here