Snapshots

Filthy Dukes / Jackpot / Crookers

Like eighteen out of twenty graphic designers, the one behind Filthy Dukes' single cover embraces the imagery of a pyramid meeting the eye. No problem. It's a nice looking sleeve and the 12" inside is worth listening too. Imagine Manfred Mann's Earth Band recording a funkier version of that annoying Ghostbusters theme song. Can't get any better than that? It can. There's a remix by Fred Falke. Maybe the track offers nothing we haven't heard before from our favorite filter house guru, but it's still a nice piece of work. The cream of the crop? Emperor Machine of DC provides us with a one hell of kick-ass remix that sounds like it was actually Giorgio in person producing that wicked Manfred Mann session!

Speaking of eighteen out of twenty, that's approximately the frequency of Permanent Vacation Records putting out a perfect release of nu-disco. Jackpot's flanger heavy Ragazza goes swaying somewhere between old school italo and Queen's Radio Ga Ga with a juggling bassline very reminiscent of a Roland Jupiter 8. I must say I like it a lot, the b-side alas being not so interesting.

Meanwhile, Ministry Of Sound's German division is re-launching the Crookers' huge club anthem, Kid Cudi's Day N Nite. Too bad that a track that's been available for something like twelve months now seems nothing but an overplayed dinosaur. What a noble legacy for the year; One will always remember 2008 for Crookers, bassline, blog house, and as a year when Youtube video killed the recording star. MoS is truly beating a dead horse.

Filthy Dukes: This Rhythm 12"
(Universal 2009)
Record rating: 9.0/10

Jackpot: Ragazza 12"
(Permanent Vacation 2009)
Record rating: 8.00/10

Kid Cudi / Crookers: Day N Nite 12"
(Ministry Of Sound 2009)
Record rating: 7.0/10