The long-awaited album by the Brazilian superstarsDJ Marky & XRS - , released on their own label, turned out to be quite good. Despite the fact that most of the tracks had already been released or were simply well known from mixes and compilations, and despite the truncated format of the (practically all the compositions are cut down to four and a half minutes), the album sounds fresh and pleasant. Most of the tracks are made according to a straightforward formula, using some kind of house or funk sample alongside fairly decent rhythm-section programming. In another case, this approach would not be particularly interesting, butabout the Brazilians that brings to life a device that has not been especially original in recent years. It is difficult not to notice the tracks featuring well-known vocalists— withCleveland Watkiss and withVikter Duplaix. The former’s excellent vocals and the latter’s simply incomparable ones make for two especially pleasant, warm tracks with a beach atmosphere, although the second one obviously benefits in many respects. Another memorable trio of tracks uses emotionally gripping samples—disco-house ones in and (a simple, appealing guitar part in the first, and overlapping instrumental-synth passages with a stunningly beautiful breakdown in the second), as well as the breathtaking positivity of, where a western theme and near-Brazilian soundtrack melodies have been “glued” together. The rest of the album consists either of tracks that had already been pushed previously (the obligatory with vocals byStamina MC and the mellow together withM.I.S.T.), or fairly standard liquid funky and deepamong which is the most successful, with its appealing atmosphere and its “pie” of shimmering, spacious sounds. A good piece of work that can expect decent commercial success. It is also very pleasant to listen to, despite its simplicity.
Rating: 5/5
DJ Marky & XRS -
, 2004 [INN003CD]
01. Highlights
02. I Know feat. CalibreTerapiaRotationMisto QuenteTijuana FrogsLK feat. Stamina MCMoments Of Lust feat. Vikter DuplaixSunshine (DJ Marky & XRS feat. Jenna G)
10. RudebwoyBreeze feat. Cleveland Watkiss
12. Dia De Sol feat. Gilberto Gil
