summary : the ultimate all genre encompassing legal mixtape for 2007.

 

working within the constraints of a budget limiting licensing quagmire must make the task of compiling any such legal mixtape a sheer nightmare.

yet despite all the paperwork pain, for this follow up to the first of solid steels mixes (released 6 years ago ! and this is the eighth in the ongoing series collector fans) the fine people @ ninja tune have somehow managed to secure use of many genuine party classics (hello : new order ! cozy powell ! dj shadow!) that will make you smile and dance, as well as few show stopping exclusives. 

after all, where on earth are you going to hear human league getting all budied up with eric b and rakim, or, a deadline threatened compiled exclusive steinski remix of roots manuva that invokes all manner of dubbed up on-u sound system related memories, all getting spliced and diced amongst a plethora of vocal snippets and beat settling dialogue sections.

ahh yes, you see,  it is these carefully layered sonic collisions that makes solid steel mixes a thing of beauty for those of us who suffer aural a-d-h-d.

the full track listing is a monster, but be safe in the knowledge that on my first spin, within the opening 25 minutes of the mix i was flying emails out of my inbox to all and sundry advising that this is easily the best mixtape of the year. that reaction was a few weeks ago, and each time i drop this cd in the machine, that same level of excitement is still very much in evidence.

from the head spinning blood rush of the opening section things then vere into new directions as funked up rock and drums hit home with the appearance of corny but still great, black betty by the ram jam band, 60s souled up cover versions of purple haze, and even primal scream. from hereon the mix jumps about, with dips into drum and bass (always my low point in a mix normally), breakbeats, a chunk of leftfield ambience and some 70s sitcom soundtrack cheese, before settling the nerves with a class piece of smooth crooner piano jazz music that makes you just feel all gooey inside.

also, as a sidenote, it’s wonderful to see a release getting the full packaging treatment.

in this age of the digital download where most folks seem to be happy with their skinny mp3s, the people behind this release have really made the real world article worthy of your money. for a start, there is the artwork that needs to be seen to be believed, and then kev and dk give the listener a fascinating insight into the selections made, a nice extra that doesn’t come down the wire when buying from itunes.