After five years away from the scene the massively popular Hooj Choons has returned with a new lease of life. With over 140 releases to its name and 3 compilations, it was always going to be difficult stepping back into the fray after some of the most tumultuous years in dance music, and this accounts for a slight lack of consistency in the mix.
On the other hand, Hooj have put together a compilation so diverse in genres that no one could say they missed a trick while away. From disco, through house, techno(ish), dubstep, and electro, the compilation would appeal to everyone. The worry would be that it is not focused enough entice blinker-wearing dance fans - that should not be a problem.
The tracks sit surprisingly comfortably next to each other despite the vast array of artists. Stand out tracks like Kissy Sell Out's signature remix of The Human League and Riva Starr's jackin' tech remix of Voices - one of the two Voices remix on the tracklisting - give comfort to the big-name weary punters; but the high tempo, scene-friendly, Dopefish remix Hyper Go- Go would fidget its way onto many regular playlists as well.
Internationally acclaimed DJ, Dave Spoon, gives house tinge to the collection with his work on Pete Lazenby, where techno icon, Timo Maas mixes the funky image of Hooj Choons with his own stripped down sound for the remix of Sourmash. Another stand out track would is Juttla's remix of Mushrooms by Marshall Jefferson vs Noosa Heads; a gloriously low-key, two-step affair the icing on the diversity cake.
With only one original mix, various lesser known names and tracks featured, and an encyclopedia of genres in the last 5 years, this is not your usual compilation CD. It may need another mix or two to make Hooj Choons a name to look out for again, but this CD definitely bodes well for the future. Now that they have their difficult comeback behind them, here's to the purveyors of many more selections of quality hou... dance music to come.
Tracklisting:
1. Lazonby - Sacred Cycles [Dave Spoon Mix]
2. The Human League - The Things That Dreams Are Made Of [Kissy Sell Out Mix]
3. Hyper Go Go - High [Dopefish Remix]
4. Marshall Jefferson vs Noosa Heads- Mushrooms [Juttla Mix]
5. KC Flight - Voices [Medway & Dansor Remix]
6. Jas - Hitchhiking [Chicken Lips Dub Unlimited]
7. Oscar G & Stryke - Hypnotized [Bottin's Mercurial Mix]
8. Sourmash - Pilgrimage To Paradise [Timo Maas Remix]
9. Datar - B [Christian Smith and John Selway Remix]
10. KC Flight - Voices [Riva Starr Remix]
11. Katcha - Touched By God [Peace Division Remix]
12. The Lost Dog - My Shadow Dances [Red Jerry Disco Dog Remix]
13. Bermuda Triangle - Mooger Fooger
14. Space Manoeuvres - Stage One [Separation Mix]
15. Echomen - Thru 2 You [Original Vocal Mix]
16. Medway - Resurrection