AL-PHA-X - Gravity [2002]

“

What distinguishes GRAVITY, and a lot of the other work of Declan Flynn aka Al-Pha-X, from the pack is its focus on track-by-track tunefulness and creative focus. Where so many other cultures-in-a-blender discs go wrong is in relying on the trappings of remix additives and genre twirls for their own sake: studio whizkids in luv with their own inventiveness and percussive megatoys at the expense of the song itself. GRAVITY instead displays a reliance on mood and the use of what is "right" for each track's essence. Eg, listen to PUNJAABI LOVE AFFAIR -- there's gotta be 400 different soundstyles in that one piece, but I defy your ear to single out one as even slightly out of phase with the rest, and with the overall shape of the track. This is evidence of the artistic control that Flynn exerts over his materials and methods and it's a welcome relief from the over-exertions of the current glut of what's-this-button-do, bland and blase material. Atmospheric, fun, and just plain right.

”

Track Listing
1. First Transmission
2. Hojar
3. Mad Keys
4. Yugo Song
5. Punjaabe Love Affair
6. Thai Ways
7. Mi Corazon
8. Vermeo
9. Mission Not Impossible
10. Wedding Song
11. Gravity
12. Mi Corazon - (Smoker's mix)