Jays Mix

[Jay]

I put a Wave Pictures track on my last effort.

Everyone hated it. I quite like them.

I'll check yours out mate. It'll get a week's play in my car to and from work every day and then an intense reviewing listen after 5 or 6 plays through.

That's commitment.

I quite like them as well to quirky and lo fi for some on here I guess it's a pretty good album to be honest

[Trav Le Bleu]

Tell me about it!!!!

Nevermind Joe you reviewed mine so I will make sure I review yours as well

Stop Bitching!

Tracks have to be heard several times before a proper review can be done!

And that having been done - here's my review!

Chase the Devil - Max Romeo

Like this, maybe for the same reasons that Joe said, ie used as a sample by The Progidy. Nevertheless, really smooth and mellow.

Man of the Living - Wayne Wade

Didn't like this as much - it was a bit simple and I like a lot going on in my music, or if it is simple, it has to be hugely beautiful - which this wasn't - sorry.

Man Next Door - Massive Attack

Do I have to even comment on this? It's the superb Mezzanine album - one of the best albums ever. If you don't have this then serious questions need to be asked!

(The Forgotten People) - Thievery Corporation

Mellow - I'm reminded of The The, Senser and Tricky at different points. Not sure though - could be a grower.

Anything U Want - Rae & Christian

Nice hip-hop - but fairly by the numbers and could have been anyone.

Broadcasting Live - DJ Cam

Erm... it's people shouting - nuff sed

The Extravaganza (Street) - Quannum Projects

This also does little to nothing for me - the mix is starting to lose my interest

Peter Pennyworth - Kail

Raps like Eminem - which is a bad thing - though the background samples are interesting. The it changes place (and rapper?) and gets much better. The start ruins it though.

The Mask - Danger Doom

Pass

Mastermind - Del The Funky Homosapien

Likee - but then I have heard Del TFH before on various stuff - he's got that ryhthmic way of rapping that rises and falls. I have dowloaded some other tracks from this album. Tops!

The Truth - Handsome Boy Modelling School

That's Martina Topley-Bird on vocals isn't it? She's much better when she's doing other people's stuff or collaborating. Smooooooth!

Star Chasers - 4 Hero

This sounds strangely familiar... pleasant enough. Very similar to some of Goldie's stuff - more mellow and less D&B though.

Heroes - Roni Size

Didn't he get lost in a tropical rain forest? Cos the jungle is massive sorry. Never been a big fan of Roni. I'm still not.

Attack Ships On Fire - London Elektricity

Interesting samples - dynamic and energetic - but possibly overlong and too repetitive. Would have worked better at about 3 mins long.

More Beats and Pieces - Coldcut

Master remixers Coldcut! of course it's brilliant! They are the benchmark for anyone else want's to try mixing. Loving it!

So, the mix went a bit stringy in the middle for me Jay, but overall there was some good stuff in there - thanks!

[Mark]

Sorry I cant give a much of a review to a mix oppositite to what I like entirely!

I have listened to this in full but really didn't like it, I can see why you'd like it though.

Of course, I've heard the Max Romeo track before but this sort of thing doesn't appeal to me.. same with Wayne Wade.

3-4 not bad just didn't do it for me.

5-11 rap sorry I just can't stand rap music! (apart from RJD2, DJ shadow - thats as far as I can go)

12-13 & 15 see 3-4

london electricity song was my favourite, i listened to that one twice. !

[Jay]

Sorry I cant give a much of a review to a mix oppositite to what I like entirely!

I have listened to this in full but really didn't like it, I can see why you'd like it though.

Of course, I've heard the Max Romeo track before but this sort of thing doesn't appeal to me.. same with Wayne Wade.

3-4 not bad just didn't do it for me.

5-11 rap sorry I just can't stand rap music! (apart from RJD2, DJ shadow - thats as far as I can go)

12-13 & 15 see 3-4

london electricity song was my favourite, i listened to that one twice. !

To be honest Mark I wasn't expecting you to even want to listen to it so from that point of view I am impressed AND the fact that you listened to a song twice is remarkable!!

I tried loads of guitar based stuff on the first mix but electronic went down better so you have to try and give people what they want I also try to put songs on that I think others might not have heard of

when Foxestalk 4 comes around next year it may well be a totally Electronic/Hip Hop free zone so you might like that more!!

[shen]

1 Max Romeo – Chase the Devil

Nice opener. I often found myself thinking of Out Of Space though, and didn’t pay full attention to the song But at least I got in a reggae mood

2 Wayne Wade – Man of the Living

Didn’t really rock my boat. Found it a bit umm.. ordinary (for lack of a better word)

3 Massive Attack ft Horace Andy – Man Next Door

Heard this loads, obviously. I’m still not sure whether I like Horace Andy’s weird voice or not after all this time. But it works very well in this song.

4 Thievery Corporation – (The Forgotten People)

Yeah, I like this. Very cool song. I tend to think of the usefulness of songs too these days. I didn’t know these guys before, and I do lack music for times when I want to listen to something cool yet groovy.

5 Rae & Christian – Anything You Want

I quite like this too. Can’t put my finger on it, but it works for me.

6 DJ Cam – Broadcasting Live

This is not a very familiar genre for me, but I quite like this again (the music that is). The rappers/vocals do absolutely nothing for me though.

7 Quannum – The Extravaganza

One of the best hip hop songs I’ve heard, I must admit. But I still don’t warm to it. It’s easily tolerable, but the style strangely doesn’t appeal to me.

8 Kail – Peter Pennyworth

No. I simply can’t relate to the lyrics. And I’m probably stupid, but I can’t figure out what the point of the last minute is…

9 Dangerdoom – The Mask

Love the ending of this though But yeah, see most of the above for the first part of the song..

10 Deltron 3030 – Mastermind

Like someone else asked, this is the guy from “Clint Eastwood” no? But no, I find the music is rather poor and the lyrics aren’t any better.

11 Handsome Boy Modeling School – The Truth

Back to the style of the early part of the mix. I’m much more comfortable listening to this, although if this had come after track 4 or 5 I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. I’ll echo the sentiments from track 4 for this one.

12 4 Hero – Star Chasers

This track is great! Best of the mix so far. I love the jazziness and the D&B. Voices are smooth, yet a bit disturbing to the sound. The only iffy thing about the track.

13 Roni Size – Heroes (2008 version)

Roni Size is someone I’ve never come around to check out. I’ve heard a couple of his remixes, but they didn’t quite catch my imagination. This song hasn’t ignited anything (it might be too high octane), but again I don’t want to dismiss it entirely. But if this is some of the best he’s done, well…

14 London Elektricity - Attack Ships on Fire

Definitely choon material. Ideal for late-night reading when there’s no coffee around!

15 Coldcut – More Beats & Pieces (Lord Fader mix)

Hmmm, excellent mixing. Not exactly tune material, and (see track 4) I don’t really know when I’d want to listen to this. But I don’t dislike it either… Really don’t know what to make of it!

Overall I’d rate the mix as ‘good’. The hip hop just doesn’t work for me, but I like being exposed to stuff I don’t normally listen to, which this mix was full of. Tracks 4, 12 and 14 stood out for me, and I admire how you’ve seamlessly made a mix with reggae, soul, d&b, hip hop, jungle that fits well together. Top stuff and thank you!

[Jay]

1 Max Romeo – Chase the Devil

Nice opener. I often found myself thinking of Out Of Space though, and didn’t pay full attention to the song But at least I got in a reggae mood

2 Wayne Wade – Man of the Living

Didn’t really rock my boat. Found it a bit umm.. ordinary (for lack of a better word)

3 Massive Attack ft Horace Andy – Man Next Door

Heard this loads, obviously. I’m still not sure whether I like Horace Andy’s weird voice or not after all this time. But it works very well in this song.

4 Thievery Corporation – (The Forgotten People)

Yeah, I like this. Very cool song. I tend to think of the usefulness of songs too these days. I didn’t know these guys before, and I do lack music for times when I want to listen to something cool yet groovy.

5 Rae & Christian – Anything You Want

I quite like this too. Can’t put my finger on it, but it works for me.

6 DJ Cam – Broadcasting Live

This is not a very familiar genre for me, but I quite like this again (the music that is). The rappers/vocals do absolutely nothing for me though.

7 Quannum – The Extravaganza

One of the best hip hop songs I’ve heard, I must admit. But I still don’t warm to it. It’s easily tolerable, but the style strangely doesn’t appeal to me.

8 Kail – Peter Pennyworth

No. I simply can’t relate to the lyrics. And I’m probably stupid, but I can’t figure out what the point of the last minute is…

9 Dangerdoom – The Mask

Love the ending of this though But yeah, see most of the above for the first part of the song..

10 Deltron 3030 – Mastermind

Like someone else asked, this is the guy from “Clint Eastwood” no? But no, I find the music is rather poor and the lyrics aren’t any better.

11 Handsome Boy Modeling School – The Truth

Back to the style of the early part of the mix. I’m much more comfortable listening to this, although if this had come after track 4 or 5 I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. I’ll echo the sentiments from track 4 for this one.

12 4 Hero – Star Chasers

This track is great! Best of the mix so far. I love the jazziness and the D&B. Voices are smooth, yet a bit disturbing to the sound. The only iffy thing about the track.

13 Roni Size – Heroes (2008 version)

Roni Size is someone I’ve never come around to check out. I’ve heard a couple of his remixes, but they didn’t quite catch my imagination. This song hasn’t ignited anything (it might be too high octane), but again I don’t want to dismiss it entirely. But if this is some of the best he’s done, well…

14 London Elektricity - Attack Ships on Fire

Definitely choon material. Ideal for late-night reading when there’s no coffee around!

15 Coldcut – More Beats & Pieces (Lord Fader mix)

Hmmm, excellent mixing. Not exactly tune material, and (see track 4) I don’t really know when I’d want to listen to this. But I don’t dislike it either… Really don’t know what to make of it!

Overall I’d rate the mix as ‘good’. The hip hop just doesn’t work for me, but I like being exposed to stuff I don’t normally listen to, which this mix was full of. Tracks 4, 12 and 14 stood out for me, and I admire how you’ve seamlessly made a mix with reggae, soul, d&b, hip hop, jungle that fits well together. Top stuff and thank you!

That is always my first thought when doing a mixtape, sometimes it's about the entire sound and not just a collection of random songs I like to make a mix that develops and progresses well through the tracks, a good mixtape should be a bit of a journey to do this some times you don't select the strongest songs but it's all about the right blend!!

If I have achieved that then I am happy

[Fez of Mahrez]

Chase the Devil - Max Romeo

Have heard it before, I think Alex has it on MP3. Really superb, listening to a little bit of this sort of thing at the moment and my CD Swap has something vaguely similar on it.

Man of the Living - Wayne Wade

Again superb. Never heard of it before so two thumbs up.

Man Next Door - Massive Attack

Small confession, have never bothered much with Massive Attack - which is obviously a huge sin in a lot of people's eyes. I know the singles and have heard Mezzanine countless times before but wouldn't know the individual songs other than Angel etc. This is absolutely cracking.

(The Forgotten People) - Thievery Corporation

Downloaded this album a couple of weeks ago but haven't given it a proper listen yet. This is a standard Thievery beat but it works so why not?

The Extravaganza (Street) - Quannum Projects

It's no '93 Til Infinity now is it? Seriously though, this hasn't really grabbed me.

Broadcasting Live - DJ Cam

"People shouting" I like the melody in the background. Reminds me a bit of the Lords of the Underground (albeit far more polished) which is a great thing. Would be interested to hear more if it exists.

Anything U Want - Rae & Christian

I like it.

Peter Pennyworth - Kail

I don't like it.

The Mask - Danger Doom

Not the biggest fan of MF Doom. I can appreciate this but wouldn't choose to listen to it.

The Truth - Handsome Boy Modelling School

I am a big fan. I think Alex Kapranos had something to do with these at some point? Probably my favourite so far, all hip-hop should be this engaging. Roisin Murphy is it?? That's a curveball.

Mastermind - Deltron 3030

I love the Deltron 3030 album, I only discovered it relatively recently. 3030 and Positive Contact are fantastic tracks. Reminds me of the first time I heard Clint Eastwood - had never been a big hip-hop fan at that point so had never heard Del before. Again, hip-hop at its best in my opinion.

Star Chasers - 4 Hero

Superb little run of tracks here. This is absolutely great. 4 Hero are another one of those that have always been associated with the sort of thing I like but I've never made the effort with them. Probably should.

Heroes - Roni Size

A classic. I remember buying New Forms with my Christmas money when I was 13. Wow. Had heard bits of drum and bass before but nothing this accessible. I was expecting that Brown Paper Bag would be the standout track and the rest of it would be interesting but nowhere near as good. How wrong. A track like this is timeless in my eyes. I honestly believe this could come out this week and a lot of people would believe it was brand new. Digital was another favourite of mine off New Forms.

Attack Ships On Fire - London Elektricity

I saw London Elektricity at Summer Sundae a few years ago and didn't like them at all but this is good. I'd have it more as background music rather than full-on listen-to music but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

More Beats and Pieces - Coldcut

Not fussed about stuff like this on the whole, even if it is Coldcut and it's musical blasphemy to not love it. Not my thing.

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Superb as always Jay.

[General Smuts]

Chase the Devil - Max Romeo

The original of some other Pendulum (?) song i think. Much prefer this. Very good. 7/10

Man of the Living - Wayne Wade

Yep like this again good stuff. I can tell this will be one of those songs that when im half listening to the iPod whilst its on random, jumps out at me and i really enjoy it.

Man Next Door - Massive Attack

Never heard this before - not being a big Massive Attack fan. Slow starting, so slow in fact that it nearly got skipped until there were some lyrics. Not really into this to be honest. 5/10

(The Forgotten People) - Thievery Corporation

Keep meaning to check these out but im always distracted by something else. This is almost a mixture of the last 2 songs and aint too bad i spose. Nowt special. 6/10

The Extravaganza (Street) - Quannum Projects

A bit generic hippity hop imo. Meh not bad not good not my cup of rosy. 5/10

Broadcasting Live - DJ Cam

Probably the best song so far. Not bad that. S'ok. 7/10

Anything U Want - Rae & Christian

I like it. Sums that up. 7/10

Peter Pennyworth - Kail

S'alreet i spose better than most of the others so far. Nothings really grabbing me yet. Finished strong. 7.5/10

The Mask - Danger Doom

I do like me a bit of MF Doom - Mince Meat in particular. This is jolly good and WILL get itself a few more plays except for the random bit at the end. Big fan of his gruff voice though. 8.5/10

The Truth - Handsome Boy Modelling School

Always meant to check me some of this out. Looked forward to this. Not bad. Enjoyed it. 8/10

Mastermind - Deltron 3030

I've heard big things so its got a lot of hype to live up to. Big fan of this - even better than the danger doom track. 9/10

Star Chasers - 4 Hero

Not bad at all. 7/10

Heroes - Roni Size

Never heard any Roni Size i don't think. Obviously heard of him but he's not inside my safety zone really. Meh. 6/10

Attack Ships On Fire - London Elektricity

Never heard of this or these. Won't be checking out any more of there stuff was ok bit bloody long though. 6/10

More Beats and Pieces - Coldcut

fook me Fez even I like Coldcut. Reminds me of Spaced this does. Love it. 9/10

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On the whole i enjoyed that but mostly for the middle 3rd and the finale. 7/10

[AoWW]

Chase the Devil - Max Romeo

Enjoyed this. Only dabbled with reggae a bit in the past and it’s not a genre I particularly get into but this was good. 7/10

Man of the Living - Wayne Wade

Didn’t like this as much as the first track. Nothing to dislike as such, just found it a little bland. 5/10

Man Next Door - Massive Attack

Fantastic song. Love Massive Attack though and know the track inside out. Nice to hear it on here. Mellow, chilled... all the things MA do best. 9/10

(The Forgotten People) - Thievery Corporation

Thievery Corporation are one of my personal favs and they can do remarkably little wrong in my eyes. You were always onto a winner with me by including this. Love this album. Mind you, I’ve discovered listening to TC always makes me want to light up a cigarette – instantaneous connection with smoking each time a hear them. Weird. 9.5/10

Anything U Want - Rae & Christian

Relaxed hip-hop fare. Surprisingly, I actually quite enjoyed this I guess, which I hadn’t expected at all. I don’t ‘do’ hip hop at all so I don’t really feel qualified to comment but this was at the ‘right end’ of hip hop for me. Quite mellow, could be a grower – will give it a few more listens. Could be making a sneak appearance on my MP3 player. 7/10

Broadcasting Live - DJ Cam

Sorry, hate stuff like this. 2/10

The Extravaganza (Street) - Quannum Projects

Rap. More shooting, cops, gangsters, killing. Been done a thousand times before, surely? 1/10

Peter Pennyworth - Kail

Couldn’t abide this. Encompassed everything I hate about rap and hip-hop. I’m too old for all this I reckon. 0/10.

The Mask - Danger Doom

WTF? No. 1/10

Mastermind - Deltron 3030

Bored now. Not a criticism of the mix, as such, because I can see the effort Jay’s put into blending it. This ‘section’ really ain’t my thing though. Marginally better than the last 4 tracks; or perhaps I’m just becoming desensitized? 2.5/10

The Truth - Handsome Boy Modelling School

Wow – so much more my kinda thing. Blissed out. Even the rapping didn’t spoil it (nearly, but not quite... must admit I’d have preferred the track without though). Enjoyed her voice... is it really Roisin Murphy? Impressed by this and want to find out more... who are they? what else have they done... fill me in on the details, Jay. 8.5/10

Star Chasers - 4 Hero

Erm, honestly not sure. Seemed like the kinda thing I’d expect to like but I found the back beat really odd - too jazzy? - and the overlayed vocals were a little naff, imo. Sounds too much like Sophie Eliis-Bextor for my liking. Instantly forgettable. 4/10

Heroes - Roni Size

I know I ought to like Roni Size... people have been telling me this for years. It’s a perfect ‘fit’ with all the other stuff that really floats my boat... yet it’s still never really worked for me. I know this is a classic track, etc, etc, and it’s not that I dislike it as such... but... 6/10

Attack Ships On Fire - London Elektricity

Meh... too much crammed in, too long, too repetitive, trying to be too clever, too ‘busy’. Nah, not quite. 4/10

More Beats and Pieces - Coldcut

I appreciate the talent that’s gone into the mixing, but it’s just too scrambled and random for my brain to cope with. Not my bag at all. My head now hurts, I’m gonna go back to Thievery Corp and try to repair the damage! 3/10

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Interesting mix with a few gems; thanks Jay. To be fair, most of the tracks I enjoyed best were ones that I already knew well. You were never gonna sway me with the hip hop / rap section in the middle, I’m afraid. 2 good ‘discoveries’ for me in the Rae and Christian track and the HBMS track (just need to find a way to slice the rapping out the middle of that track, now!)