Hip-Hop

Latest CD releases reviewed

Latest CD releases reviewed

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Keepintime: A Live Recording Ninja Tune ****

Keepintime is the Brian Cross project that keeps on giving. The Limerick-born photographer and film-maker initially focused on legendary Los Angeles jazz drummers such as Roy Porter, Earl Palmer, Paul Humphrey and James Godson, before introducing a slew of west coast DJs and producers to the mix. Besides a DVD of the live show starring the drummers, DJs and a couple of MCs, this release also features a CD of re-recordings and remixes of tracks from the live show by DJ Shadow, King Britt, Cut Chemist, J Rocc, Quantic Soul Orchestra and many others. It's something of a 3D audio experience, linking today's hot-shot turntablists with the people who originally created the beats and breaks at the heart of it all. Shadow's Bring Madlib Up and Roy's Theme glisten, but it's King Britt's Kings on the Mix that is the real thriller in the pack. Cross will be at Dublin's Sugar Club on August 25th for the first Irish screening of the Keepintime film. www.ninjatune.net Jim Carroll