The fourth dose of the Deep Concentration series offers something that past instalments never really managed to do, and thats be able to blend a tight mix of electronic and hip-hop without having the vibe feel disjointed. Wreckin the Floor definitely leans more toward the hip-hop side this time around, including an amazing collaboration between the Nextmen and J-Live as the verbal assassin flows nicely over a ding-dong chime. As well theres an edited yet still effective "We Know Something You Dont Know where Jurassic 5s Chali 2na and Akil bless the mic that DJ Format has provided. This compilation rides high on the strength of its collaborations, such as Planet Asia and Mr. Sinista completely tearing shit up with turntable trickery on "Sinista Scratch where the MC lyrically laces a piano-driven beat and then allows the X-ecutioner to do what he does best. The always-on-point People Under the Stairs get busy with the funky J-Boogie to spawn the ass-shaking "Movin to My Beat while Roots Manuva tailors his rhymes over a haunting electro-heavy break provided by King Kooba, easily providing the records two finest moments. The instrumental moments are good, including a lot of funky break manipulation from the likes of Colossus and Sparo, and there are some great contributions from lesser-known acts like Swamburger and DJ Designs Foreign Legion, but the strength of the mix rests heavily on the established.
(Om)Various
Deep Concentration 4: Wreckin' the Floor
BY Noel DixPublished Jan 1, 2006