PORTUGAL: MUSIC FROM THE EDGE OF EUROPE
Various
Reviewed by Kushad Watsan
This compilation requires a willingness to settle in and listen - by the fire, while travelling in the car or dancing. The lyrical songs, traditional instruments, voice and rhythms of eighteen tracks, each from a famous artist, run the gamut of emotions, from passion and joy to longing and sadness. The Portuguese were world explorers who gathered and combined the music of other lands, which is apparent in this rich, inspiring collection.

A MEDITERRANEAN ODYSSEY: ATHENS TO ANDALUCIA
Various
Reviewed by Kushad Watsan
Twelve different artists represent Spain, France, Greece and Italy and include some surprise elements from middle eastern Africa. The common thread of a good time in south Europe with wine, food, song and dance comes through in this delightful collection. The songs are mostly ballads of a medium to fast pace, with lots of accordion and lively percussion, making this one well worth checking out and fun to dance to.

TOURIST
St Germain
Reviewed by Abheeru
This was written, produced and mixed by newcomer Ludovic Navarre, a.k.a. Saint Germain, pioneer of the French Touch (the new electronic music of France) or as others have called it: Nu-Jazz. St Germain embodies the essence of jazz, not by playing faithful electronic versions of old themes but instead by incorporating varied styles and samples to create a contemporary sound. Each song sets a unique hypnotic dance mood with a chilled-out blend of long loops, funky sounds and lyrics, all with excellent jazz undertones. What injects an extra dose of vitality to this grooving mix of jazz, blues, ambient and house, are the long and impressive musical improvisations performed by the seriously talented musicians that Navarre gathered for this recording. So if you enjoy dancing or listening to musical hybrids that touch upon many distinct moods and styles, you won’t regret becoming a Tourist with Ludovic as your faithful guide.

HUMAN CONTACT
Galactic Agents
Reviewed by Abheeru
The debut album from Galactic Agents, this offers an instant soundscape for the dance floor with an aura reminiscent of the otherworldly trance-state of a whirling dervish. This sonic visitation from the many experienced musicians at New Earth Records moves at a varied and ever-increasing tempo, with blinking beats, as the album builds to a crescendo. This musical fusion articulates a type of global paradise, incorporating Native American, Celtic, Afro, Eastern, and Aboriginal influences and culminates into an auditory Eden of world cultures with underground dance vibes and indigenous-heavy groove-scape. The prominent use of earthy instruments such as the didgeridoo on the Aboriginal-themed “Mullumbimby Bazaar”, the fiddles on the heavy dub the Glastonbury Festival and the percussions of the surreal varied tempo Afro-Tech-Suite will take you on a planetary journey that, while being driven by many technologically induced rhythms, here remains soundly infused.

This CD review column is written by Just Dance DJs Abheeru and Kushad to offer you a taste of some of our favourite grooves that can be experienced at our twice a month non-smoking, non-alcohol dance event or simply to help you discover new music for your own living room dance floor. Keep those dancing shoes going!