- These days mixes and compilations have to do something really, really different to stand out from the crowd. Take Ricardo Villalobos's 'Fabric' mix, which is a new album in all but name, or Erland Øye singing over his 'DJ Kicks' compilation instead of just choosing records. Those that push things forward either innovate, crate dig some absolute gems, be a trend setter or just have damn fine taste in music. 'Maxmize!' doesn't push things forward. The track selection is patchy, the mix doesn't really have any direction and Shir Khan's innovations amount to a few re-edits.
It's a shame because 'New Rave', which is the scene he's trying to capture, can, when done well, have an energy and fun which dance music thrives on. The tracks on 'Maximize!', however, are generally joyless, dated and for the most part sound like a series of bad Daft Punk knock-offs. The inclusion of the risible '808 Klap' by Niyi doesn't help as it will make anybody with ears want to chainsaw their speakers. Don't think this is a general spite at 'New Rave', because it isn't. There is quality stuff out there, say by Foals, Friendly Fires and Buraka Som Sistema, but Shir Khan doesn't, on balance, seem to have an ear for a good tune. Another clanger is that the tempo remains the same pretty much the whole way through both CDs: electrohouse with the occasional baile funk track thrown in. It's an approach I've not heard for years (think Renaissance compilations). I thought that the likes of Optimo or Rvng showed DJs you could do more to avoid listeners zoning out, which is what I found myself doing.
All this has the perverse effect of making the few quality tracks sound absolutely amazing. 'Rainbow Man' by Busy P, is rough Justice-style destruction at its best, 'Quick and Painful' by Free Blood sounds like Prince being rammed through a cheap synthesizer and Adam Sky's remix of 'La Musique' by Riot in Belgium has a fantastically moronic and chunky appeal. All make you sit up and open your eyes. It's a shame Shir Khan can't keep you like that.
TracklistCD 1
01. Metamorphosis Cutup - Shir Khan
02. Allthegirls - Sirius Mo
03. It’s The Beat - Simian Mobile Disco
04. Steamulation Vs. Spektrum: May Day - Justice/Gambit
05. En Direct De La Cote
06. Mein Schatzi - Munk
07. La Musique - Riot In Belgium
08. Wrong Galaxy - Shit Robot
09. Trans Mania
10. Damn
11. Around The World - Nicky Vanshe & Dangerous Dan
12. Yeehaw! Humans Is Target - Sergej Auto
13. Ladyflash - The Go! Team
14. When I Hear Mu’sic
15. Open Malice - O.Lamm
16. Just Ghetto - Crookers
17. Composer - Yuksek
18. Killalady - Justine Electra
19. Born Of A Star - Holy Hail
20. BLN - Jahcoozi
CD 2
01. Olldi - Sirius Mo
02. Booty Lickin’ - Phon.O
03. Ahjustwannadance - Superthriller
04. Sweaty Wet, Dirty Dump
05. Message, The
06. Blonde Bunny Bounce
07. Italiano Lento - DJ Sandrinho
08. Tamborzuda - Sinden/Count Of Monte Cristal
09. L.I.C.K. My Favela - Tetine
10. Out Of Money - Killergroove Formula
11. Hijackin - Hijack
12. End Hit
13. Boy Da Cara Breta - Stereotyp
14. Want 2 Need 2 - Sharon Phillips
15. Die Verwandlung
16. 808 Klap
17. Rainbow Man - Busy P
18. We Are All Prostitutes - Adam Sky/Mark Stewart
19. Black Pants - Shapemod/Captain Comatose
20. Quick And Painful
21. Psychoville - Martin Peter/Mark Stewart
22. R2F - Avenue D
23. Party Motion - Lucky 13
24. Never Been On E - Jammin’ Unit