ULTRA-FI Track Reviews

Vinyl, CD singles, MP3s... the format doesn't matter, it's the quality of the music and how it moves my dance floor that determines if these singles make the ULTRA-FI cut. We'll have new ones posted every week or so, plus check out the archives for all our past spins. -- Isaiah Martin, Ultra-Fi Editor [bio] [email]

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Thrills, Pills & Daffodils
Chock Full 'o Dub
Richard F
Spread Muzik
Progressive House
Main Room crusher. Thrills,P&D has that sneak up on you energy about it that delivers big. Big Synth melodies that have a bit of a Daft Punk edge to them. Great to mix with and properly timed, this will Rock a big room. The Chock Full O’Dub was my preferred mix.

Blue In Green
Original Mix
Mr Egg Germ
Forever Soul
Downtempo Breaks
* * * * *
Song for a lazy day. Simple, groovy, get it.

Shady Luv
Hatiras Mix
Hatiras
FullBodySoundSystem
* * * * *
The next in a long line of songs inspired by a girl pissed at a DJ ex-boyfriend. Granted, this is one of the best. This track has big room potential. Groovy bassline over well paced chunky house, seasoned with excerpts from Psycho ex-girlfriend phone messages. Look for this one to last.

Dirty Fusion
Original Mix
Ty Tek
Gourmet Recordings
Breaks
* * * *
A gritty, dirty fat synth melody gives this track a techy edge to it. Dirty Fusion is a track that makes a good bridge in a set. It’s a set up track that builds anticipation…use it.

7am
Original Mix
Damien Heck
Mixturi Digital
Downtempo Breaks
* * * *
Aptly titled track. If you don’t know when to play this one, you’re not paying attention. Smooth chill breaks with a meandering electric guitar. Also so a great track to score with…movies or otherwise.

Blue Boat
Original Mix
Ben Burns
Stompa Phunk
Deep House
* * * *
Take the dope bassline from Simply Red’s “Sunrise”, chill it out and add a “Blade Runner” trumpet… Voila, Really great downtempo track.

Smash Me
Jay Allegro & Tim Blade Definitive Mix
Filthmongerz Jay Allegro & Tim Blade
Rhythm Bound
Breaks
* * * *
Chillin breaks with a breathy female tease. This track takes a nice journey as it unfolds and has a sub groove that’s down by law.

Like Her Walk
Original Mix
Chris Lum
Abitare Music Group
House
* * * *
This is the perfect track for a lounge set or for that next porn you are shooting. Retro funky house that has all the 70’s shaggin’ feel you could hope for. Chris Lum is one of the few producers out there that everything he does is worth stopping and takin’ a listen to.

Flowing
Main Mix
Sanjose
NRK
House
* * * *
Flowing is one of those tracks that belongs in any groovy chill set. Influences of George Benson in the breakdown gives it that retro warmth.

The Fly Shuffle
Main Mix
Ian Pooley
NRK
House
* * * * *
This track is Superfly approved. Straight out of a Starsky and Hutch episode, right into a house set near you. Retro funky house that delivers…Where’s Pam Grear?

Mack Daddy
Original Mix
Project Blues Brothers
Platform Planet Earth Records
Breaks
* * * *
Mack Daddy serves up some great breaks with funky beats blended very well with tecky melodies. Good Pimp sample seals the deal and makes this a breaks track to go get.

Some Day
Jerome Isma-ae Remix
Jean Claude Ades Jerome Isma-Ae
Swings Records
House
* * * * *
Real driving female vocal house track here with gospel enthusiasm. Summer anthem material. With super clean production, Jerome delivers a track to watch out for.

First Light
Original Mix
3brotherstrong
Care Recordings
House
* * * *
This track is a good DJ tool. It’s a really clean simple Reggae style house bed. Wide open to lay accapella’s or loops on. Downright Spliff goodness.

P.K.S.V
F**king In Gothenburg Remix
DJ Ermi
Black Vinyl
House
* * * * *
Great Track!! This track has everything cool about a house track… Super funky bassline, Sexy female vocals spoken in some exotic language and a groove to it that makes you want to dance in the sunshine.

Suntan
Joey Youngman Remix
Codebreakers vs. Bobkat
Agave
House
* * * * *
Summer Poolside winner! Funky bassline sure to keep scantily clad ass’s grooving. Also the first song in longer than I can remember that features what sounds like a Kazoo… and its cool. The Joey Youngman mix is the poolside jam but the original mix also grooves.

 

Past reviews > ULTRA-FI ARCHIVES

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RAVES.COM'S ULTRA-FI EDITOR

Isaiah Martin has been spinning for more than a decade and in the last year has catapulted up the ranks in the DJ world. He has an undeniably groovy mixing style and sets that start with funky invitation and take you on a journey of sound and sense. His talents span from events and concerts to radio shows and recording. In the last year he has played internationally; opened for Prince, Alanis Morissette, and Sheila E. He has spun events at Sundance and The Kentucky Derby, was the house DJ for the Aerosmith Icon concert and did the afterparty at the Shrine for the MTV Movie Awards. Traveling a great deal recently Isaiah has found himself in New Orleans spinning the Stuff Magazine house for Mardi Gras, in Miami spinning at Nikki Beach for the Winter Music Conference as well as Vegas to be the show and afterparty DJ for the 2002 Billboard Music Awards Bash in Vegas. His club appearances include 1015 Folsom, Ruby Sky, The Key Club, Studio 54...Isaiah currently holds residency at one of the biggest clubs in Hollywood, Spundae. Other weekly residencies include the Highlands, Circle bar as well as the new hotspot Cinespace. He can be heard on Thump Radio (thumpradio.com) every Tuesday night between 10-11 and every Friday night from 10-12pm in Los Angeles on 104.3 and monthly Saturday nights on 97.3 in San Francisco.