got a mix off beats in space
excellent lads

Condescending? What, 'cos they've got great musical knowledge and aren't afraid of taking risks with what they mix? I think the opposite is true - listen to some shithead mix comp. from one of the majors trying to tailor-make the recent trend - or the 'short attention span' shite of J.U.S.T.I.C.E, who are explicitly trying to 'teach' the rock kids how to dance again.

To me this is more about you trying to position yourself as someone who wants everyone to know they know “the Scottish duo wants you to know that they know you know they’re in the known.”

Now *that's* breathtakingly condescending

This is easily one of the best mixes of the year so far. The track selection, the programming, the risks, the strange connector-attractors - that Boris track (that sounds like some Eddie Hazel wannabe, but in a good way) I don't think Optimo *ever* were pretentious, I think they're far more sincere about what they do than most DJ duos who become 'hip' for one reason or another.

Rant ends....

I wouldn't say Optimo are condenscending, but their attitude does seem to be "okay, so we don't have to play modern techno all night anymore. Well thank god for that! Now we can play what we really want to play." So they go back to stuff which originally inspired them. Which is fair enough, but if you're a punter into modern dance music, that lack of faith is sometimes a bit disappointing, especially out in the clubs.

I think where the review slips up is that it assumes that Optimo are taking an attitude (i.e being condescending) towards populist electro/dance rock music by doing it deeper and more authentically. But I'd say they are a bit long in the tooth to really care much about what the kids are doing in 2007. It's more about being an old record head and reviving dusty old gems.

Having said that, I do like this mix quite a bit.

They both love plenty of current dance music.

They just don't release dance mixes because that's not what they're known for, and who can blame them really. most of the best "house/techno only" mixes are given way free on the internet.

I realise "condescending" here is in the context of a musical review but, for the record, myself and friends have been running a club here in Dublin for almost 4 years and, both when they're here and during the year via email or whatever, the optimo guys are far and away the friendliest, most down to earth DJs we've ever dealt with.

To illustrate this, let me tell a story. The first time they played for us they'd been in Ibiza the night before, or the week before, and both seemed pretty shattered, especially Jonnie.

On the way from the airport the car we were in got a flat tire, so the guy driving pulled over. As we sat there thinking "how do you change a tire again", Jonnie Optimo leapt out of the car saying "I used to be a mechanic" and had the tire changed quicker than I've ever seen a tire changed in my life.

When I think of some of the other "rebellious" wankers we've had over (name no names), I'm glad that didn't happen with them in the car.

Anyway I realise that "salt of the earth" story doesn't mean you can't find their musical approach condescending, but it's a good story and I really don't think Optimo mean, in any way, to be condescending.

I can vouch for Optimo as well. In a previous life, or at least before their current trendy incarnation, they were involved with the PUre night in Edinburgh, one of the first techno clubs in the UK (think it started in 91), so as far as I'm concerned, they have the history that most of the acts featured on  don't. That new mix they did is great too, they approach techno / dance music from the same kind of perspective as the punk/industrial scene, loads of lo-fi repeition. apart from the tg track, some of the newer material on the cd sounds like it was inspired by genisis p orridge and his mates. more of this please and less trendy minimal

INCREDIBLE mix.
Go and try to find a selection of tracks so diverse- sound SO great together.

headphone music guys - trust me

Probably my favourite mix CD of 2007. Go figure.

Ive been trying to find this - does anyone know if it is available in digital format anywhere? Can't find it on juno or beatport...

This set is timeless.. i discoverd Optimo through the fabric set... now i bought this one and is absolutely fantastic Optimo's integrity is unquestionable..