MOOD II SWING レコード& CD

Review: Now under new ownership (international dance music powerhouse Armada Music, fact fans), long-serving New York house imprint King Street Sounds is doing a good job in showcasing gems from its vast archives. This second label sampler contains four more genuine must-have cuts. First up, there's a chance to admire the deep, soulful house wonder that is Dennis Ferrer's 2008 hook-up with honeyed vocalist K.T. Brooks, 'How Do I Let Go'. It's followed by Masters at Work's deliciously loose, disco-influenced deep house revision of 'Give It Up' by Lil' Louis' Rain project (first released in 2000), Mood II Swing's DIY Soundsystem favourite 'Sunlight In My Eyes' (easily one of the greatest deep house jams of all time) and Lil' Louis's swinging garage-house rub of Kimra Lovelace's 'Misery'.

Review: There's no hard sell needed when it comes to a reissue of a mid 90s Mood II Swing classic, and they don't come much more rock solid than this. The original version of "I See You Dancing" has it all, from the catchy but dreamy synth hook and steamy vocal sample to the killer drum shuffles and dirty bass, while the "Remix" simply adds a touch of New York shuffle and some high-frequency string tension for a slightly different kink to the track. "Slippery Track" is yet another timeless gem with its minimal demeanor, all undressed drums and a single filtering melodic lick. "Ohh" rounds things out with the more romantic side of Mood II Swing, dealing out a bittersweet line in chords for dancefloors the world over to swoon to.