May 24–31, 2001

music

Litmus Test

CP’s roundup of DJ mixtapes.

by Sean O’Neal

Imri Jonas

Rumpus!

Style:

A chunky, chuggin’ fusion of squawking, raved-out funky breakbeats with low, stomach-stretching synth basslines (i.e. nu-school electrofunk on A-side and two-step on the flip) fitting for an aimless drive home from a party in the wee hours of the morning, and befitting of a dexterous madman on the Pioneer DJ-mixer’s effects.

Where he hangs:

The pacesetter for Reflective Multimedia is a pivotal resident at Motion Nightclub for most Friday and Saturday nights — unless the funk-meister is off tearin’ up a one-off rave in some other random borough.

Essential Tracks:

Party-flavored cuts like Scratch D & H-Bomb’s "Red Pill" on Marine Parade, Electronaut’s "Bumper" (Plump DJs remix) on La Cerva and Zed Bias’ "Check it" (Super Sharp Shooter mix) on white label will have you breakin’ out your old, baggy UFO pants, turning your baseball hat sideways and bustin’ out the glowsticks for some spellbinding liquid dance moves.

 

Michael Myers

Prime Mover

Style:

A euphoric, dreamy, energetic excursion into dancefloor anthems with deep, heart-tugging melodic breakdowns that choke you up and wrench joyful tears from your eyes while your tight-clenched fists fly high in the air amidst this UK progressive trance mixed with latenight pumpers perfect for any rave or club. Reminiscent of DJs like Nick Sentience and Max Graham.

Where he hangs:

The Local 13 hottie and 611 trance buyer holds the e-torch as Philly’s leading trance maestro with a weekly residency at Evolution’s prosperous "Faith Fridays" when he’s not off playing in some other far-away city like Detroit or Miami.

Essential Tracks:

Tracks like Derude’s "Sandstorm" on Urban, Airheadz’ "Stanly" on white label and Fragma’s "Everytime You Need Me" on white label will lift your goosebumpin’ body into a metronomic state of bliss.

Xonel Smart

Reverse Psychosis

Style:

Xonel’s long-awaited debut mixtape of brand-new and way-old records demonstrates a beautifully flowing and intelligent potpourri of dark Detroit-ish electro that busts from party-flavored techno/house-ish 4/4 into ravey funky breaks with a Florida-style build-up or two. Appealing to anyone that wants to git funky on the dancefloor.

Where he hangs:

The 611 breaks buyer drops da bombs at random weekly parties around town like New City Tavern, Gasoline and underground rave events.

Essential Tracks:

A glowstickin’ breakdancer can invent new moves amidst tracks like Anthony Rother’s "Red Light District" (Blim mix) on Distinctive Breaks, Surgeon’s "Sense Fiction" on Kanzleramt and Josh Wink’s "Hypnotizin’" on Sorted — proving that breaks can go way beyond the simplicity of DJ Icey.

 

Myster Mason

Bare Witness

Style:

The second tape from Philly’s hardest and most ruthless drum and bass DJ yields an ultra-fast battleground of terror filled with aggressively wailing synth-lines and rigid, schizophrenic beat patterns that drill your head from every direction. Generally hard-ass shit that will torment your soul for life.

Where he hangs:

The Local 13 jungle-boy is seen casting his sporadic, nightmare-ish rampage at Motion Nightclub on the weekends plus many of the larger-scale one-off raves in Philly, NJ and NYC.

Essential Tracks:

Deadly platters like Total Science’s "Make Me Feel" on C.I.A., JB & Spice’s "3 Dimensions e.p." on Back 2 Basics, plus several of Mason’s own fast-paced unreleased tracks with Trust will scar you if you can ever return from the black hole of toxic ’ardcore torture.

DJ Eric Feminella

Love Inspiration

Style:

An anthemic, heartfelt journey with an immaculately smooth mix (with the exception of some pointless scratching) of today’s progressive trance hits perfect for loyal in-love Twilo-goers with the passionate intensity of Sasha and Digweed.

Where he hangs:

The South Jersey bad-boy is a new kid on the block. Maybe clubs like Evolution, Transit or Chrome should give this emotion-booster a listen.

Essential Tracks:

Euphoric floor-sweepers like Sasha’s "Rabbitweed," Green Court’s "Follow Me" on Club Guerilla and Paul Van Dyk’s "We Are Alive" on Vandit will have you hugging yourself tight, rocking back and forth, and swaying to the soothing, melodic energy that is at the forefront of today’s club scene.

If you DJ in or around Philly and have a mix tape you’d like to submit for review, send it to Sean O’Neal, P.O. Box. 632, Mt. Laurel, NJ, 08054.