Y4K - Past Lessons Future Theories

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  • For this release Distinctive have decided to grace us with a retrospective compilation of their successful Y3K and Y4K series. In the past they have enlisted an array of various talented DJs/Producers such as Tayo, Koma & Bones, Ils and Hyper to compile and mix the releases. These releases are also backed by the highly acclaimed Distinctive parties held at Fabric and other venues. As the name suggests this latest mix serves up tunes from their back catalogue of the past decade and also some more recent releases. We know that some absolute gems have been released from this label but does the compilation reflect this? Let’s find out… Disc 1 This first disc gets of to a start with ‘Architect’ by the Dub Pistols. Next up sees Koma & Bones supplying a remix of ‘That Thing’ by DB+. As usual the Koma & Bones boys don’t fail to disappoint on carrying out their duties. The dark bass and haunting synths are enough to give anyone nightmares. Not even sure if I’d like to walk home at night listening to this. Just kidding! Hybrid then help keep things going by serving up their reworking of that all time rave classic ‘We R IE’ by Lennie De Ice. Now I love the original track, but Hybrid takes it that one step further. Heavy breaks beats and synths build up the familiar bassline of the original. Next up is ‘Twisted’ by Dave London. This track features a rolling bassline and subtle break beats. Fans of Christian J will be pleased to hear ‘Understand’ make a well deserved appearance on this mix. Judging from his work with the likes of progressive producer Meat Katie, this guy is going to be big. Being a definite stormer for the dance floor features a phat melodic bassline and techy breaks. Once again another Hybrid track is thrown into the mix this time in the form of the awesome recent release of ‘Higher than a skyscraper’. This is the first of two Hybrid tracks to appear on the disc. The original featured on their great album Morning Sci-Fi features Hybrid doing what they do best featuring heavy basslines, orchestral strings and sublime melodies, not to forget the bass guitar performed by none of there than Peter Hook. This Twitch & Sweat mix has a much harder punch. Opening with a tough, electronic bassline, phat break beats and blissful strings, this is only a taster for what’s to come. Suddenly a second wave of attack the bassline ferocity increases and the song progresses to its peak of a dark sinister nature with the bassline now accompanied with a techy electro breaks. For me this is one of the few highlights on this disc. Another Christian J track in the form of ‘Night Fighter’ makes its way onto the disc. Tough, dirty bass and beats being the main ingredients. Looking forward to hearing a lot more from this talented producer. The disappointment for me is the last third of the disc. The quality of the tracks chosen is disappointing. I can’t help but feel that Distinctive could have taken this compilation slightly further with a better selection of tracks. Disc 2 Disc 2 follows a more progressive house vibe. It begins with one of the latest tracks from progressive breaks dons Hybrid with ‘True To Form’ featuring vocals from Adam Taylor. Being a big fan of Hybrid, I feel that Adam’s vocals add a whole new dimension to the group and give their songs a kind of maturity that wouldn’t be possible with a female vocalist. This then continues with the uplifting Audio Drive mix of ‘Tide Of Dreams’ by Prophets of Sound. This is the sort of song you would like to hear at peak time in a club. Just hearing this tune makes me want to just strut my funky stuff on the spot. Next up it’s Neruda with their rather spooky number ‘West Ghost’. This tune features a lush rolling bassline and a synth melody that makes you think that aliens are about to land on your lawn at any minute. Next up another Distinctive Breaks heavyweight in the form of Way Out West drop their latest release ‘Muthafucka’. The track builds up with the vocal sample “turn this muthafucka up…” then in comes the funky bassline and guitar loop. The track really gets into full swing with a stomping 4x4 beat, driving bass and lush atmospherics. This track is just tailored for some serious dance floor stompin’. One of my favourite tracks is the John Creamer & Stephane K Mix of ‘Storm’ by Susana. The vocals on this tune are simply soothing and angelic. The electronic stabs and soft synth atmospherics combine to make this tune absolutely lush. Just hearing her voice, I can close my eyes and imagine I’m sunning myself on a hot beach. The vocals Distinctive may have called this latest release Past Lessons, Future Theories, but upon listening the only thing I seemed to have learned is that if it wasn’t for Hybrid, Way Out West or the Y4K series, where would they be now? I mean, correct me if I’m wrong, but for years I’ve been under the impression that a retrospective package should be crammed to the hilt with classics. Instead this compilation just sounds like a mish-mash of tracks, past and present. Yes there are a handful of stand out tracks on this compilation, but sadly that’s just not enough. Hopefully the next scheduled highly anticipated release of Y4K series mixed by the brilliant Uberzone can once again prove to us that they are one of the best breakbeat compilations.
RA