Alice Deejay: Who Needs Guitars Anyway? (Positiva)
Alice Deejay is actually a Dutch singer named Judy, backed up by a squadron of producers and remixers, plus a couple of girls for added adornment. You've heard that awful Ibiza anthem, Better Off Alone, and you probably won't be surprised to find that the rest of Judy's debut album contains much the same trancelite twaddle. In Euro-disco units of measurement, this album would probably be ranked way above The Vengaboys and Aqua - sort of the Radiohead of Eurorubbish - but that's like claiming Jive Bunny is better than Timmy Mallet. Listening to this album is like taking part in a cruel version of Jeux Sans Frontieres: see how long you can endure that dinky-donkey trance beat before you grab the nearest guitar and smash your CD player to pieces.
- Kevin Courtney
Various Artists: Synergia 01 (Frisco/Sabotage)
Subtitled "breaks, beats and blips from independent Dublin", this CD does exactly what it says on the jewel case, and it's free to boot. Cork showcased its underground DJ talent earlier this year with the South- ern Fried Boogie CD, and now it's Dublin's turn to display its dance credentials, with exclusive tracks from Jimmy Behan, Ambulance, DJ Wool, Zero Tolerance, PBR Street Gang and Dave Donoghue. The CD was officially released in the Temple Bar Music Centre earlier this month, but if you missed the launch, don't worry - the tracks are available to download free at www.frisco.ie. Get your MP3 software sorted out, visit the website, and join the revolution.
- Kevin Courtney
Gilles Peterson: Worldwide (Talkin Loud)
When it comes to eclectic playlists, Gilles Peterson has been joining up the dots for many a year. Jazz to soul, funk to folk, drum to bass, house to garage and back via any extension you care to mention: Peterson's Talkin Loud label and radio shows are classy affairs. This double CD sees the DJ stir some merry mischief, with both sets roaming far and wide. Discoveries like the sassy soul of Jill Scott and Spaceks orchestral swing lounge easily alongside Sarah Vaughan's operatic excursion (The Mystery Of Man as recorded allegedly, at the Vatican), Herberts deep-digging house and the gnarly ambience of John Martyn's Solid Air. Worldwide in name and destination, many may copy Peterson's exuberance: but very few manage to match it.
- Jim Carroll