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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 2002)
june 21.2002 M USIC ............. w ............. Mix and match V erve R emixed Vanmrs Artists • Verve Music Group his has got to he one of the most in genious ideas ever floated by a greedy record company executive desperate to cash in on songs that otherwise would he locked away in a vault collecting dust. Verve Music invited the world’s most talented DJs and producers to tinker with their original landmark recordings and create all-new classics. I predict this cool disc only will increase in popularity as the weather heats up. It’s appropriate, then, that it includes Sarah Vaughan’s “Sum m ertim e,” reworked by U FO into a chilling, atmospheric mind-melter. Obviously, these turntable titans are lucky to have such great source material to reinter pret. Among the other vocalists on the disc are Carmen McRae, Shirley Horn and Ella Fitzgerald. N ina Sim one appears twice with “Feelin’ G ood (Joe Claussell R em ix)’’ and “See-Line Woman (Masters at Work R em ix).” Billie Holiday also does double duty: “Strange Fruit (Tricky/ Tool R em ix)” becomes a hyp notic trance, while “Don’t Explain (dZihan &. Kamien R em ix)” puts her silky voice in front of a percussive hackbeat. Without a doubt, the best track is Rae & Christian’s bouncy update o f Dinah Wash ington’s “Is You Is or Is You A in ’t My Baby?” It’s enough to make me want to delve into her catalog and discover what I’ve been missing out on all these years. Compilations cure dance fever by J im U ltimate A fterhours DJ E scape V ol . 2 Various Artists • Groovili- cious Music with ihatta life DJ Escape must live. This 23-year-old not only gets to spin tunes at some of the world’s best clubs, he also has a full-time scouting gig at indie dance label Groovili- cious Music. As if that’s not enough, he has great taste, too. Ultimate Afterhours contains 15 strong tracks, many by artists he personally signed to the label. The C D is packed with 77 minutes of music guaranteed to keep any party pump ing. Highlights include “N o More G am es” by Laid featuring Derek Conyer, “The More I Love You” by MFF featuring Andrea Mar tin and “Caught U p” by DJ Disciple featur ing Mia C ox. My favorite selection is the trippy “Wonderland” by the Psychedelic Waltons featuring Roisin Murphy. Upon further investigation I realized 1 was drawn to this track for a good reason: It was co-produced by Nellee Hooper, the mastermind behind some of Madonna, Sinead O ’Connor and Soul II Soul’s greatest hits. Looking for a partner? f So are we. Embers, Fish Grotto, Boxxes and the Brig, Red Cap Garage, Panorama, Scandals and Silverado are looking for partners to help us raise funds for Esther's Pantry and Our House of Portland. Our establishments, along with Just Out and Coors Light, will be teaming up from now until July 15th to make a donation to organizations serving and caring for people living with AIDS. So come visit us, bring your friends, enjoy yourself and support Esther's Pantry and Our House of Portland. “Groovejet (If This A in’t Love)” by DJ Spiller reminds me of every disco classic from my childhood. And Sarah McLachlan’s “Sweet Surrender” is transported to new heights with an epic, space-age remix. R adosta P artly G roove : T he W hite P arty Various Artists • Centaur Entertainment P arty T ime 2002 Various Artists • Groovili- cious Music * J§ 11 it takes is one song to render certain i compilations essen tial. For Party Time 2002, that track is “Come on Down," quite possibly my all-time favorite dance ditty. You see, this brilliant creation combines two powerful elements: the voice of disco diva Crystal Waters (“ 100% Pure Love") and the theme to The Price Is Right (the best game show ever). It sounds cheesy— and it kinda is— but the hook is undeniable. Throughout the giddy five-minute track, Crystal beckons her lover to “party with me...shake it loose and let it go.” It never fails to cheer me up. Fortunately, the other 26 tracks on this two-disc collection are equally addictive. DJ Escape again demonstrates his fine taste by dig ging up obscure songs that are sure to become dance-floor favorites. Live Element’s clever “Be Free” -takes a Belinda Carlisle sample and layers it over a groovy rhythm. “Drink to Get Drunk” by Differ ent Gear v.s. Sia— a melancholy rumination on alcoholism— is a surprisingly poignant choice for a collection filled with otherwise shallow songs. rh e song that makes this C D essential is “Break 4 Love,” which is credited to Peter Rauhofer + The Pet Shop Boys = The Collaboration. The remixer and my favorite queer duo come together to create the intense, urgent centerpiece of DJ David Knapp’s latest compilation. The other standout track is a revved-up version of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not G oing.” Rosabel manages to breathe new life into the Dreamgirls show tune without detracting from Jennifer Holliday’s soaring vocals. The C D is dedicated to Graham Berke ley, one of the gay victims o f the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. T h at might help explain the inclusion of Full Intention’s ultra- patriotic yet groovy “I Love Am erica,” which features snippets of speeches from President John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Knapp also includes a couple of innovative remakes to round out the collection. Daphne Rubin-Vega of Broadway’s Rent gives Elton John’s “Rocket Man” a gender-bending twist, and Sir Ivan covers John Lennon’s timely peace anthem “Imagine.” J H OPENS The PH ANTON oftfie O PERA Tickets also on sale at Portland Opera (1515 SW/Monisoii), all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at broadwayacrossamertta.com Groups (20f): (503) 241-1407. J IK * * KELLER AUDITORIUM. Portland Portland Opera Presents Broadway in Portland www thephantomoftheopera.com 1
