Following on from Ewan Pearson, Cadenza's Luciano steps up for Soma Records to mix Volume 2 in its compilation series 'Sci.Fi.Hi.Fi'. Created using only vinyl and his bare hands the mix illustrates Luciano's raw talents as a DJ.
Kicking off on 'Orange' by D:Uni:Son, the mix begins on a head nodding feel; intense electronic music, drenched in melody, rhythm and intimacy. John Thomas' 'Basilic' ups the groove with its punchy vocal sample and choppy short chords while the intense whistle build up and chunky strips of clappy chords on Tadeo's 'Bateria Lup' prove Luciano knows exactly what rocks big sound systems the world over.
The groove dips a little balearic courtesy of 'Exercise' by Samim & Michal, which revolves around a short vocal chant, two simple sirens and some steel drum percussion. By the time the dark, ghostly samples and old electronic melody of Serafin's 'Starship Discotheque' arrive, Luciano is really working the speakers.
Luciano raises the stakes a little higher via Solieb's 'Lovesong' with its twisted short vocal that transforms around a smouldering attack of samples, chords, and punchy synths, later followed by Adam Beyer's big Plus 8 hit, 'A Walking Contradiction'. The transition from the tech/house/minimal/slightly electro 'Las Velas No Arden' by Alejandro Vivanco into Ricardo Villalobos' 'Ichso' is one of the finest mixes on the CD - crushed strings and hi-hats arouse the senses in a subtle manner as awkward guitar riffs run riot on the sound system.
Towards the end, teenage prodigy of sorts, John Dahlback lifts proceedings with a schism of minimal/electro before Luciano closes out with 'Earth Beats' from Mule Musiq's Kuniyuki. A real epic number, encompassing all elements of jazz, afro, Latin, drums, guitars, strings and all things quantised and raw, for once, this isn't a big "F*ck off, I'm riding my K-Hole" kind of final track.
'Sci.Fi Hi.Fi Vol.2' is all about rhythmic emotion, plain and simple, moody and percussive with hints of soul and intimacy. The tracks from start to finish really push an optimistic feeling strung with passion and energy. My only qualm is that there is no CD2 and despite the brilliant vinyl-only mixing I would like to have seen the use of additional DJ technology, to really highlight Luciano's considerable talents. People will over analyse and pinpoint spots of irritant here or there but book yourself a night alone with a great sound system and that's when you will really appreciate this mix.
Buy Luciano - Sci.Fi.Hi.Fi. Volume 2 at
  
| 
 Other Soma Records reviews
|
