REVIEW: Coming Home By Boozoo Bajou

(Stereo Deluxe)

2 out of 5

This, the most recent of the Coming Home series released by the German based Stereo Deluxe label, serves up a grooving four-on-the-floor mixed selection of favourite tunes from production duo Boozoo Bajou. In a style not dissimilar to that of Giles Peterson - not quite down tempo and not quite up tempo - it’s dub-like in some sections, and Latin feeling in others. This compilation ticks along, meandering in places, and culminates with one of the duo's most popular numbers, 'Killer' featuring British dancehall MC Top Cat. The mix then moves through various dance oriented selections, including a peculiar version of Kurtis Blow's rap classic, 'The Breaks', entitled 'Give It Up', which is performed by Casol and Capitol A. Others in the Coming Home mix series include releases from Nouvelle Vague, Tim Love Lee and Nightmares on Wax - and would be worth pursuing if you're into those artists. These types of compilations irk me as they come across as not the artists' work and not a real album. Instead, these types of releases can be heard as an exercise in licencing music rather than making music. Somewhat groovy, and housey at best.

Review by Jason Guy-Clement