Fresh from the Fin on Germany-based BPitch Control, Kiki has presented us with a finely dispersed smattering of 25 progressive tracks cut into 16 place settings. In fact, the two strongest tracks ("Gazebo" by Fairmont, which is one of only a few records yet to be released by James Holden's Border Community, and Guy Gerber's Digweed-released "Stoppage Time") happen to be the only two in which Kiki assimilates not one but two other cuts. Longer and later in the mix, Guy Gerber is certainly Vol. 1's peak. Though I initially recognized few of the names in the tracklisting, the supporting cast of assembled 12-inches make up a strong selection of the ever popular prog electronic genre. I was particularly struck by Âme's "Rej," whose continual downgrading melodies, in the style they are presented, remind me of those simple, old midi tracks you used to see in the early 90's (I still hold the now ringtone-ish midi version of Europe's "Final Countdown" to be better than the original). I also dig the extended minimal intro to Infusion's "Daylight Hours," before the vocals come in.
Kiki, occasionally played by DJ Julia Child, delivers solid but usually unexciting mixing enhanced by better track selection, which adds up to this being a sound debut for the new BPitch mix series. I must say I was questioning JC's sanity when I first saw the cover (a freeze frame shot of our man shirtless and caught mid-stroke vigorously shaking his head), but I was pleased to discover that this artistic template will be applied to all Boogy Bytes mixes in the future. You gotta love that. If nothing else, you should be slightly amused by the cover, proof these guys don't take themselves too seriously.
1. Fred Giannelli - Distant Gratification
2. Gabriel Ananda - Vergissmeinicht
3. Oliver Koletzki - Da Bleibt Er Ganz Cool
4. Anja Schneider & Sebo K - Rancho Relaxo
5. Donal Tierney - Verse 2 The Chorus
6. Michael Forzza - Kahana
7. Joalz & Eddie - Don't Close Your Eyes (Kiki Remix)
8. Fairmont - Gazebo
9. Troy Pierce - Smack The Black Off Of Ya
10. Turner - When Will We Leave (Rob Hood Remix)
11. Misc. - Metroland
12. Slam - Kill The Pain (Marc Houle Remix)
13. Guy Gerber - Stoppage Time
14. Digital Excitation - Dream Party
15. Âme - Rej
16. Infusion - Daylight Hours
More about: Kiki
