Basement Jaxx

After releasing one of the most visionary dance albums of last year, a collection of rare mixes and unreleased tracks initially seems anti-climactic. But once one gets past the concept of the record, the sounds are killer. The vibes recall some of the duo's earlier recordings, but also casts an image of what their London DJ nights must currently sound like. Bass lines get ground down to distorted extremes, rhythms are given the soca boost and when the tracks are most minimal, soul-freaking synth lines coarse through. "I Beg You" features the voices Eric Morillo, Roland Clarke and Claudia Cum in what sounds like a salsa-house gangster flick. "Miracles Keep On Playin'" revitalises the energy of "Red Alert" with the uplifting horns from the Jackson Sisters "I Believe In Miracles." They also seek the help of Stephen Emanuel on "Jump N' Shout" to percussively take the track into a voguish UK garage style. Doesn't flow as emotionally or vividly as Remedy, but still a strong sign for Jaxx to come.