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DJ Andy Smith's Freestyle MixFreestyle
***Andy Smith is something of an old
hand when it comes to putting together a rocking compilation. From
the very first The Document, which Portishead's DJ and the Dynamo
Production's boss put together (the set that highlighted Tom
Jones's Northern Soul past), Smith has always demonstrated a steady
hand and a winning eye for dusty gems. He can also raise sparks
when he's limited to just one label or sound, as he demonstrated in
2006 when he was let loose in the Trojan treasure trove. Here, his
rummage through Freestyle's back catalogue of breaks, beats and
other groovy things makes for a hugely entertaining funk
extravaganza. There's plenty of bite in Smith's blend too, with
tough cuts from the South Bronx Community Youth Project, hard funk
from The New Mastersounds and a Latin fiesta from No Comply giving
the set punctuation and punch.
Jim Carroll
