Armand Van Helden – New York: A Mix Odyssey Two

Vanity project or something of merit from a DJ who, having found chart success, is taking a considered look at his inspirational roots? The packaging captures the African-influenced look of the late 80s we’re revisiting here while the mix itself serves up the sort of hip hop house crossovers that we in Blighty, with a little help from our European counterparts, ripped off and sent soaring up the pop charts. The listener is cajoled from high energy hip hop through jackin’ house and out into Van Helden’s contemporary take on the NY sound. So, in some respects, this is the genuine article.

(Southern Fried)