STYLE: Dance/Electronic RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 162478-24907 LABEL: Spearhead FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Andy Shaw
BCee (aka Steve Jeffrey) has built up a reputation over the years, both through his own releases and those of the artists signed to his Spearhead Records label, as being a pioneer in the drum 'n' bass scene. Following on from the success of his 'Come And Join Us' LP, BCee has brought together some of his favourite artists and asked them to choose and remix tracks from his past releases. Whilst the majority of the tracks here are taken from 'Come And Join Us' there is one track from his debut 'Beat The System' LP and three tracks from his second 'Lost & Found' LP. The first thing I would say about this, and any remix album, is that I find you get a whole lot more appreciation out of it if you have heard and know the original tracks. That is not to say that you can't enjoy this record on its own merit but if you are new to BCee, I would suggest starting with his back catalogue before tackling this record. A number of drum 'n' bass and electronica artists such as Kimyan Law, Electrosoul System and Hybrid Minds among others have contributed in bringing their sound to this record and at times that does lead to it feeling disjointed as styles clash rather than flow into each other. Each track on its own does, however, show the strengths in production and arrangements that are a common theme throughout. The benefit of having so many different artists contributing is that you get a great variety in sounds, whether it's the bass heavy dirge of The Vanguard Project remix of "Is Anybody Out There", the driving break beat of "Morning Star" or the light and uplifting Kimyan Law remix of "Delirious". Picking any given track on its own, you can find something to like in it but as a complete work this album feels a little awkward.
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