The only artist present on both
How to Kill the DJ, Pt. 2
and
Psyche Out
is
the Stranglers
, the least fitting representatives for either mix.
The Stranglers
are known more for inciting brawls than packing dancefloors, and neither one of the band's contributions exceeds a minute. Despite the flimsy but noticeable connection,
is an extremely different animal compared to the helter-skelter
How to Kill the DJ
, focusing on the mind-altering qualities that often run through strains of
jazz
,
rock
soul
disco
, and purely
electronic
dance
music. This imagines a utopian venue where
Larry Heard
opens for
the Temptations
, where
Arthur Russell
Herbie Hancock
meet to exchange ideas, where
Syd Barrett
Ron Hardy
are equally revered. The
Optimo
duo is less quick to switch tracks and tacks, so the ride is a lot smoother here than it is on
, with the inclusions often given a few minutes to air out. The blends are often long and discreet enough to the point where you occasionally have to be on the ball in order to pinpoint where one track begins and another ends.
Acid Test
's
"Test One"
Simple Minds
'
"Theme for Great Cities"
overlap enough to be considered a mash-up; this is the headiest moment in the mix, like feeling claustrophobic in an empty stadium (or secluded in a cramped sweat box). When placed in this kind of atmosphere, the tracks rarely known for hallucinatory effect manage to take on new shapes -- even
Dinosaur
's giddily loose
"Kiss Me Again"
sounds as if its wobbliness is being tripled, and something as rigid and cyclical as the
Carl Craig
mix of
Throbbing Gristle
"Hot on the Heels of Love"
comes off slightly gelatinous. While
couldn't have been as much of a strain to put together as
, its unique concept and ideal realization makes it equally admirable and enjoyable. ~ Andy Kellman