Groove Armada - Doin' It After Dark.02

  • Published
    Mar 24, 2004
  • Released
    February 2004
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  • Groove Armada's previous mix successes include well-received contributions to the Back To Mine and Another Late Night series, both of them mostly down tempo affairs, so it's good to see them pushing the boat out a bit here. Their version of after dark is an uptempo, funky affair, laced with dub. The boys hit the groove running, with the Insignificant Others track 'It's Me' showcasing the funky bass sound that typifies the thinking behind the mix. Electrofunk comes to the fore through Rocket and Chicken Lips, and these lead up to Bomac's excellent 'Run To Me', which has it all - grooves and a quality vocal. 'No More Trouble' from Tiefschwarz is also an irresistible funker, and Onlychild's 'Addicted' is given an infectious 80s groove makeover from Llorca. The atmosphere chills slightly with DJ Gregory but soon becomes more upfront again, Headman and Sir Drew steering us back to funk. The boys slip in their own 'Superstylin' track towards the end - not my favourite of theirs by any means but making perfect sense in this company, and then it's time to go deeper with Igloo and Iz And Iz - a weird, nocturnal track this one, pulling us into the daylight hours. So if you liked the other two comps mentioned above and are perhaps a bit dubious about Groove Armada cranking up a gear, fear not - theirs is a strongly characterised mix with loads of good moments and some hip-swinging tunes, getting their Ragbull label off to a long playing flyer!
RA