Electronique Cafe' (Air / Dimitri From Paris / Kerosene / Williams Fairey Brass Band / DJ Frankie Bones / DJ Micro / Adam F) - Joe Silva

REVIEWS: Electronique Cafe' (Air / Dimitri From Paris /

Kerosene / Williams Fairey Brass Band / DJ Frankie

Bones / DJ Micro / Adam F)

- Joe Silva

While not even beginning to probe through the underground, the stack of fully commercial outings has grown exponentially and it's not even quite Spring yet. Forgetting the Grammy bone tossed at the Chemical Brothers for a moment, there are more than a handful of non-Big Beat releases to contend with:

Dimitri From Paris, Sacrebleu (Atlantic) - Ultra-smooth with no fear of poppy hooks, Dimitri goes for the "intimate thing." With bossa-nova flair, this Istanbul-born Frenchman boasts a groove that swings with a nostalgia that still plays fresh. Not so much swamped in the electronic as say fellow countrymen Air, Dimitri offers lounge ballads, creamy soul, and Euro-centric house moments that can serve as subtle, but supremely-crafted backdrops. Must hear: "Sacre Francais," "Nothing To Lose," "Love Love Mode."

Kerosene, Teenage Secret (Caipirinha Music) - Straight out of the gate, this LP shows that some Germans may still have an intuitive edge when it comes to the atmospherics of electronic music. Engaging, effectively moody without being overtly cerebral, this fellow has a fair hand with samples and copping sounds that are both arresting and unique (like the sax bits in "Your Muscles"). Must hear: "When You're A Young Girl," "Supercrash," "Your Muscles."

Air, Moon Safari (Caroline) - Coming more from a Jean-Michel Jarre/Space Odyssey 2001 with a hefty dollop of soul perspective than other members of the French electronic brain trust, Air's downbeat ambience is getting the lion's share (the lyon's share?) of the attention at the moment. With their more dated vibe, particularly on tracks like the brilliantly catchy "Kelly, Watch The Stars!," they are poised almost as a novelty in the current arena. With vocalist Beth Hirsh they approximate a more funky (or foxy) Portishead. The duo to watch. Must hear: "Sexy Boy," "Kelly, Watch The Stars!," "Remember." A complete review appears in the March 11 issue (http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1998/03.11) of Consumable.

The Williams Fairey Brass Band, Acid Brass (Mute): A pub idea that grew enough appendages to get up, walk around and survive it's nascency to see the following day, this project spawned by one Jeremy Deller caused enough of a stir to attract the questionable attentions of the KLF rogues Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty. While it's surely a full-fledged curio (brass band covers of House mega-hits!!), it's also intensely listenable and further proof that there's some depth to the compositions of all these knob-twiddlers. Must hear: "Can U Dance?," "What Time Is Love?," "Cubik."

Various Artists, Los Angeles: Critical Mass (Mindspore): An overview of L.A.'s budding hopefuls put together by Kevin Crosslin and KCRW DJ Kevin Lincoln. Ultra-atmospheric ("Quay-Czar") to tribal ("You Are The Dream"). Broad flavored, but overly mellow to a fault. Never acquires much verve. Worthwhile: "Kiss" by TM.

DJ Frankie Bones, Technolo-G (ESP-SUN): The man himself spinning big house grooves that largely wear thin after a few minutes.

DJ Micro, Presents Micro-Tech-Mix (Moonshine Music): Initially getting a slow start, things pickup with Mr. Rossi Feat. UFO's "Return Trip." A healthy mix in more than a couple of spots. Recommended.

Various Artists, Moonshine Mixed Vol.2 (Moonshine): Mixed by Steve Levy; funky bits and pieces from the like of Keoki, E.K.O., and Elli Mac. Generally does not get off the ground floor too often. Worthwhile: "Caterpillar (The Crystal Method Remix)."

Derrick May, Innovator (Transmat): A double CD's worth of the ultra-legend. Very lame in spots ("Strings Of The Strings Of Life"), pleasant at others ("A Little Spaced Out"), and occasionally triumphant ("A Relic Mix"). Possibly a must have, but weak in the "bang for your buck" department.

Adam F, Colours (Astralwerks): Drum n Bass with the depth that Goldie had hoped to achieve on his recent magnum opus. Tracey Thorn vocals and Grooverider mix onboard. Worthwhile: "Circles (Roni Size Mix)," "The Tree Knows Everything."

To steer clear of: Steve Stoll, Blunted Boy Wonder (NovaMute)