IMAGES FROM MOONSHINE MUSIC / ILLUSTRATION BY KIP AOKI / KAOKI@STARBULLETIN.COM
Rave on It may never be truly possible, at least with contemporary recording technologies, to accurately convey the blissful, ecstatic experience of a full-blown, packed-to-the-rafters rave on disc. All too often, studio-produced deejay mix albums are crammed with monotonous house and trance tracks, chosen in part for their ability to quietly blend in with the other ho-hum selections.
Review by Shawn "Speedy" Lopes
slopes@starbulletin.com
Perhaps realizing the futility of replicating the excitement of a live deejay set in a studio, leading electronic label Moonshine Music introduced audiences to a "Mixed Live" series in 2000, the first of which featured Carl Cox in a sold-out performance at the Crobar in Chicago.
"Mixed Live: Carl Cox 2nd Session"
Moonshine Music
"Mixed Live: Carl Cox 2nd Session" is the follow-up to that album, which, once again, sets out to capture the mythical Carl Cox sound. Just as the birthplace of house seemed an appropriate backdrop to Cox's first live album, "2nd Session" found the Manchester, England-born turntable giant in Detroit this past summer where, as any student of electronic music will tell you, techno was invented.
There is nothing groundbreaking or innovative on this disc that might justify Cox's position as one of the most celebrated and well-compensated deejays on earth, but those who thrilled to his performance at Kakaako Waterfront Park three years ago (he ushered in the new century in Australia, then immediately flew over the date line to play another millennium party here in Honolulu) might enjoy reliving the experience through this offering.
What probably makes Cox such a commodity more than anything is his understanding of deejaying's fundamentals.He may have pioneered the idea of playing with three turntables, but he is not a turntablist in the traditional sense, and rather than overextending himself with flash and trickery, Cox relies on an attentive ear, a few perfected mixing techniques and seamless segues to get him through his sets. And that, really, is all we can ask of a true professional deejay.
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