- To describe Satoshi Tomiie as “new breed” would completely disagreed regard his contributions to the dance music scene for the past 14+ years. However, to call him a member of the “Nu Breed” would be, quite literally, a fact.
Following such fellow globetrotters as Anthony Pappa, Danny Howells, and Lee Burridge, Tomiie steps to the plate for the latest installment of Global Underground’s “Nu Breed” series.
The feeling that comes to mind upon first listen is that of diversity. Beginning with the minimal ambient sounds of Stephane K’s “Numb”, and continuing into the New York underground feel of DJ Nukem’s “Music Play”, it’s evident from the very beginning that the listener is going on a whirlwind tour of dance music, with many genres destined for a stop-off.
Those who are hoping for something similar to the Satoshi Tomiie of the 80’s and 90’s might be a bit disappointed with the double CD set. Other than hints of the old days here and there, Tomiie’s mix is on the progressive tip – which is really all that one can expect from a man determined to keep things moving forward instead of living in the past.
The first disc continues through the Sander Kleinenberg remix of Lexicon Avenues favorite “From Dusk til Dawn” and ends with what Tomiie himself describes as a “new school vocal record” – Kings of Tomorrow’s “I Want You (For Myself)”.
Disc two clearly starts at one end of the spectrum and takes the listener on a fantastic voyage that sees Tomiie fusing break beat with progressive, techno with uplifting house. Beginning with Graffik’s “Lesser Man” (a collaboration of Satoshi, Tarantella, and Redanka), the track is meshes the dark sounds of progressive while offering a glance of hope as the synth lines break onto the horizon. This leads into Echomen’s “Substance” and from there on Satoshi it’s a smooth ride toward peak-time.
Things get dirty as the quake of The Low End Specialists remix of Fierce Ruling Diva’s “You Gotta Believe” takes over. From there Luke Fair’s “Let You Know” batters the low end with its rolling bass line. As that track gives way to Hybrid’s “Invisible Noise”, it becomes obvious that Tomiie isn’t messing around. Once the signature break beat of Hybrid kicks in, one can imagine a full chock room of sweaty dancers going absolutely nuts.
Schmuel Flash reiterates why some of the best productions at the moment are coming out of Israel with his appropriately titled “Chillin Moments.” Max Graham rounds things out with “Tell You” and then it’s time to take a shower. If this mix doesn’t leave you sweating, nothing will.
Seamless, inventive, and undeniably everything a mix album should be, Tomiie shows why those calling him “old” better watch their step.
Tracklisting
DISC 1
01. stephane k - numb
02. dj nukem - music play
03. little green men - there are beats
04. blh3 feat 80 - marscarter
05. samsara - afterthought
06. lexicon avenue - dusk till dawn
07. moogroove - deuce
08. remark - so pure
09. kosheen - hungry
10. tijuana - groove is in the air
11. jf sebastian - burden
12. north atlantic - mindfilter
13. kot - i want you
DISC 2
01. graffik - lesser man
02. echomen - substance
03. medway & sean cusick - grafitti
04. piliavin & zimbardo - late night return
05. kats & styles feat. craig mitchell - you're my
06. fierce ruling diva - you gotta belive
07. luke fair - let you know
08. hybrid - visible noise
09. greed - strange world
10. jerry bonham - seventh seal
11. schmuel flash - chilling moment
12. max graham - tell you