High Desert Soundsystem

John Kelley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 27, 1999)
• Original Release Date: July 27, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Moonshine Music
• ASIN: B00000JLCD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,141 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Crossroads-Joe Santos

2. Teknaskom-Chord Symbols

3. Killa 2-Killa Bite 2

4. Bombay-Dave Randall

5. The Real Jazz-Krome

6. Americana-The Hustler

7. Silicon Valley-Mac Zimms

8. Movin' Thru Your System-Jark Prongo

9. Tub-Grant Phabao

10. That Zipper Track-Dj Dan Presents Needle Damage

11. Killa 1-Killa Bite 1

12. Drive By-Jan Driver

13. Everybody-Grooveyard feat. Michel De Hey

14. Independance-Jonesy

15. Give it Up-Mr. Jack & Olivier Grosseries

16. Inter Primate Express-Samuel Onervas

Editorial Reviews

This is a continuous in-the-mix CD compiled and mixed by DJ John Kelley. If this mix doesn't make you feel like dancing even once, please return it to the store you bought it from and ask them to check you for a pulse. Author's Review Finally a DJ, not afraid to actually release a mix cd that was created with two turntables and a mixer. I know it seems odd, but surprisingly enough, most DJ mix CDs out there were put together in a computer. Parts might have been mixed by hand, but in the end they were precisely edited to achieve that "perfect" sound. Well, you know what? I sort of like it when the mix doesn't sound perfect. Not only does it give wannabee DJs like myself hope, but it demonstrates that the mix is a real performance. It's sort of like all of the big boy bands getting their songs written for them. They are just the face to the music. I listen to the music for the music, I'm not in it for the "face". That said, it is quite refreshing to hear the occasional quick adjustment in this mix. At times you can hear John Kelley grabbing the record ever so slightly to bring the beats back in line during a transition. Don't worry, it isn't anything like a trainwreck avoidance, just a slight nudge to keep things pumping. No whimpy mix by numbers here either. John Kelley will begin setting up the next track minutes in advance. Even though he does let the songs play thru properly, there is almost always a second track on its way in or out. That keeps things interesting and very upbeat. The EQ skills are fantastic too. It seems he can drop out individual elements and layer in another at will. How many knobs are actually on your mixer John?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars rhythmn and groove to move you, May 13, 2000

By 

Richard Diaz - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Desert Soundsystem (Audio CD)

How much you like this disc will be determined by how much you will enjoy a mix that favors rhythm, groove and repetition over melody. This disc maintains a sound of not-quite-breaks/not-too-funky beats that keep a steady pace for over an hour. Indeed the first 3 tracks and ten minutes keep you pleasantly nodding along before "Bombay" comes in to shake things up. But then it's back to that constant groove again before things pick up with "Silicon Valley" which serves more as an intro to Jack Prongo's smash "Movin Thru Your System" and continuing the energy with "Tub" and the funky "that Zipper Track". Things scale back just a bit over the next few tracks before kicking up once again with another high point "Independence". It finally comes to an end with the slower and bouncy "Give it up" and "Inter Primate Express".

It's lack of melody and occasional funk makes this a disc requiring just the right mood to play it. But when you DO want that cheese-free, pounding groove this mix shines brightly. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funky techno, January 16, 2000

By 

Conrad Juleff (South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Desert Soundsystem (Audio CD)

I really recommend this album for someone who likes something a little bit harder. The tracks are excellent and the mixing is creative. Starts off fairly slow then progresses harder and faster and finishes off a bit mellow and uplifting at the end.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the old school, November 1, 1999

By 

R. Miller "NY Techno Guy" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: High Desert Soundsystem (Audio CD)

I am a fan of DJ JK, and greatly anticipated this CD, but I don't much care for his track selection on this one. The mixing is amazing of course. However, there are only a few highlights, and good build-ups. It's more of a smooth flowing but ordinary non-inspiring music mix CD. Much like Knee Deep. And yes, after every DJ in the world included 'That Zipper Track' in their sets, I've become tired of it. I'm still waiting for some return to the perfection he acheived in the first two infamous mixes.