Essence – Re:Evolution IV - Flying Rhino

The fourth Re:Evolution CD from the Flying Rhino stable is in much the same vein as the previous releases – taking a snapshot of where the label’s at in both the dancefloor and laud-back departments. The chilled mix, from James Monro, is competent but a comedown from previous outings. Solar Quest’s Anchors In The Mist is gorgeous, and the comedy dub stylings of Manmademan project User with Subaqua suggests a promising start. Red Seal’s Supernatural is of typically high quality as well, but thereafter things get a bit too noodly, too experimental, and with the exception of the freaky Music For 8mm by Ivor Guest (which sounds like a soundclash between Coldcut and Sonic Youth) it’s a disappointing session of chin-stroking uber-breakbeat doom. Lucas O’Brien takes the helm on CD2, providing the dancefloor-geared second CD. Bumbling Loons’ Sci-Fidelity is an instant winner, and as it eases perfectly into Active Compound from Graham Wood’s new project Blowfish, it’s perfect. Igneous Sauria’s Rooter is a solid grove, and the belter-anthem-classic-in-waiting A Lot Of Radio from Aphid Moon sits wonderfully in the mix, before Charismatix’s wonderfully uplifting Happy provides a true moment of the delicious trance peak. Coming down with the smooth dub-whatnot of Tristan’s She Wants It, this is a thoughtful mix that moves nicely and has the right amount of everything. But as an overall package, those breakbeat jazzmonsters from CD1 let the side down.