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About a year ago, and at long last, I saw Carl Cox play live. Unfortunately, my giddy anticipation was quickly sapped by Carl's insistence at playing "groundbreaking" mash-ups, like Blur's "Song 2," which was popular about a decade ago. Us backwards Canucks don't know our dance music, y'see. Despite being touted as the "world's most popular DJ," I was disappointed that he played down to us, creating a bygone rock 'n' roll frame of reference for our ice-addled minds. On Carl's latest mix, Second Sign, similar disappointments await, with a track listing of Cox originals and collaborations with producers that also looks like it could be a mix from about 10 years ago. Look for works with names like Christian Smith, Kevin Saunderson, Fatboy Slim, Josh Wink and Misstress Barbara. That isn't to say these producers aren't still doing good work ˆ they are ˆ but Coxy is hardly overextending himself, nor is he really shining light on new talent. The tracks herein aren't all bad, either, but when you're jumping from breaks to soulful house to tribal, techno and, more painfully, drum and bass ("Get What You Paid 4" with Saffron is rather awful) it's bound to sound forced. All told, there's just no cohesion as a mix. That said, were this being released as an unmixed album, either on CD or vinyl, it might be worth checking out. Otherwise, sign off on Second Sign. www.carlcox.com-- review by Yuri Wuensch
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