Customer Reviews

DJ Kicks

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You're listening to it and you're wondering, "how the heck did he do it?"
How did producer/songwriter Vikter Duplaix (Erykah Badu, Eric Benet, King Britt and Jazzanova among others) put together a mix CD with such divergent sources (funk, hip-hop, ambient, techno, house) and make you still LIKE all of it? This is by far the funkiest offering to come out of the DJ Kicks line of producer-mixed CDs and hands down the best. Duplaix knows his music and how to move a crowd.

The music is wide-ranging but still somehow manages to sound completely cohesive, sonically and stylistically. That's no easy feat, as Duplaix bounces around the spectrum of his record crates to some pretty "out" sources (YOU try and name 4 bands off this record you knew before you heard it), and also makes them a little fresher here and there with the speed and pacing. The whole CD is like going to a really cool party without the smoke, and the fact that an acid jazz hit is followed by a house remix doesn't seem to stand out to you at all. Duplaix picked songs that BELONG together, and they're great songs. Weird, funky, and great showings all around (though I don't like the live Badu track that appears here: she sounds as if she's literally running in place while she sings).

A great buy for anyone with a taste of musical adventure. The guy's got more standout-good tracks than most people have total tracks on their album.

Standout tracks
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#2 Taurus "Together" (original)
#3 4hero "Hold It Down"
#5 Waiwan f/ Loretta Haywood "Fellin Me Feelin You"
#8 Vikter Duplaix "Sensuality"
#13 Hopper f/ Carina Andersson "Welcome to the World"
#17 Bahamadia "Philadelphia" (which doesn't actually feature Bahamadia on it)
#20 New Sector Movement "The Sun"

The selection of tracks on this CD excellent...Like another reviewer said, it is the best DJ Kicks CD I have....I wish Viktor didn't promote himself so much in between tracks..Like " You are listening to the sounds of Viktor Duplaix" several times in between tracks... But I still give it 5 stars. After listening to it for a few months, this is still one of the best complilation/dance cd I own.

I say this, as an owner of the K7 Smith and Mighty, DJ Cam, and Rockers Hi-Fi to mention a few, it was tough for me to admit that this mix may be the best. Vikter Duplaix cooks up a upbeat mix of the best of Hip-hop, House, R&B(east coast style), along with artist who continue to defy catagorization. Some of the artist will be familar to the listener; 4hero, waiwan, De La Soul, Bahamadia(though she doesn't rap herself, the vocal is still worth hearing), Erykah Badu. Then, as in other DJKicks he throughs in the obscure talent deserving of wider recognition, and these cuts add to the listening expierence in that they don't detract from it.
Vikter is currently heard on the new Jazzanova, and if you haven't heard it you should if only for the sake of hearing and artist who is well rounded. A trait seldom found in too many young and upcoming.

Universal Sound truly encompasses the nature of this cd. Duplaix cuts breakbeats, afrobeats, and downbeats all together to form a collage worthy to sooth anyones soul. The worldliness of this cd makes you just want to pop it in, sit down and relax. Fantastic disc.

Well, I ordered this cd in November from amazon.co.uk and I have ordered a copy from this site as well. Wonderful!!! I buy anyting, with his name attached.

Pick up this one!

"Welcome to the universal sounds of Vikter Duplaix" claims a cybernetic voice, your guide
through this DJ Kicks journey of 21st. Century soul. Winner of the Philadelphia city paper "most stylish" award, this dj, producer, singer, songwriter credits expand in the liner notes of artists like Erika Baduh, Jamiroquai, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Eric Benet, Esthero, and King Britt's Sylk 130 to name just a few. A high ranking member of the Gilles Peterson's "Worldwide" family, Duplaix is dedicated to the preservation and expansion of the roots of black american music, once threatened of extinction by the selling out of Hip-Hop and R&B. This mix, featuring Vikter Duplaix's brand new track "Sensuality", 4Hero, Herbert, De La Soul, Erika Baduh, as well as an arsenal of rock solid lesser known talents, runs the gamut for all its diversity, a testament that soul music is still alive and strong.

Certainly an artist that is not known for his album releases (including this one, he has 2-3 releases), but more a behind the scenes producer & a magnificent track selector....and it's this aspect that has earned him a DJ Kicks release. They certainly were spot on choosing Vikter for his inspired choice of tracks as he, cuts up silky smooth House (Four Hero, Herbert), through to sensual R&B (Duplaix, Waiwan, Osunlade), before rounding out the latter half of the album with celebratory Hip-Hop (De La Soul, Erykah Badu, Bahamadia), which is all handled with such a elegantly smooth transition that it is all the more surprising that he isn't actually a regarded DJ in the traditional sense, and isn't so concerned with mixing, but more with appropriate tracks & selection of atmospheric music. If you want to get the best out of this Cd, having an appreciation of Hip-Hop/R&B/Vocal House will undoubtedly help, and this almost certainly ranks amongst DJ Kicks finest releases.

Vikter Duplaix - a name to remember. Probably the best DJ Kicks ever. Mankind's wellcome message for the new millenium.
Buy and Believe.

love.benpublic02