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Customer Reviews of Aphrodite

Now, as the electronic dance community is well aware, most big name DJ's aren't very prolific producers, if they produce at all. So when you say you're into DJ X, you're really saying that you like the way he mixes and you dig his track selections. The DJ (almost) never has anything to do with the production of the actual sounds that you're listening to. (We all know this, but I'm trying to make a point.) Which brings me to my point (see?): the tracks on "Aphrodite" are ALL original! Aphrodite produced every sound you hear on this amazing CD (except for the samples, but nice sample choices!)

Almost every track is a party. If I had to choose my favorite track, I'd say "Style From The Dark Side '99." But honestly, it's way too hard to choose favorites with such a superb collection of music. This will remind you of Fatboy Slim in that it's very funky and upbeat. Aphrodite wants you to get on the dancefloor and freak. If I heard this type of music at a club (which I never have), a team of oxen wouldn't be able to drag me from the dancefloor. (Well, maybe I'm wrong about the oxen - 'dey pretty strong.)

They call Aphrodite the "King of the Beats," which I have no objection to, but I think a more accurate title would be "King of the Bass." The bass on these tracks is like Jello pudding - real smooth, soopah tasty, and it even makes your stomach feel good.

Each track follows a basic formula. A given track will start off relatively spare - a drum sequence, a sample or two - then the pace starts to quicken as electronics are added with just a hint of that amazing bass that will surface later in the track. More sounds are mixed in, swirled together, joined, released... At times, depending on how involved I become, it can be almost maddening waiting for that bass to kick in. I mean that in a good AND bad way, because to me the track really hasn't started until the bass arrives - sometimes it takes too long (I can be impatient about these things.) But damn, when it does, the whole thing ignites and begins cooking and it's just bliss. My favorite, "Style From The Dark Side '99," is a good example of this.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of tracks that are majorly flawed. For instance, the samples on "Spice (Even Spicier)" are way too annoying. Too bad, because the bassline is one of the best on the whole album and the jazz is a nice addition. Another flaw: as I mentioned, sometimes it takes forever for the bass to kick in. It's entertaining to hear Aphrodite build a track, and this really shows off how talented he is, but sometimes it's a little much and breaks the flow. Also, I'm baffled that other reviewers of this album liked "Summer Breeze," even went so far as to call it their favorite track. In my opinion, it's the worst track on the album. It reminds me of some of the sellout trash that Roni Size has been dropping recently. And lastly, there's the occasional too-much-of-the-same factor that plagues every DJ mix I've ever heard; this isn't necessarily an indictment, just an observation.

Although I have some minor issues with some of the album, on the whole I think it's damn great. There really isn't anything out there that sounds quite like this (that I've heard.) Thus it receives my highest recommendation. All you drum 'n' bass heads: if you're open to, or searching for, d'n'b that's upbeat and funky then you NEED this! I'd also recommend this to fans of Fatboy Slim; although it's a different style, the overarching philosophies of these two artists are very similar (i.e., that's the move-the-crowd-and-have-fun philosophy.) Everyone else, I dunno, just listen to the samples: You like? You buy.

The best techno CD of the year...without a doubt!
Aphrodite takes you on an odyssey like no other DJ. I challenge anyone to listen to the whole CD without moving some part of your body. The mesmerizing quality of "King of the Beats" and "Listen to the Rhythm" compel you to dance. "Woman That Rolls" and "B.M. Funkster" are sooo funky. These songs are fresh, the beats are phat, and the bass is addictive. I'm looking forward to hearing more great music from Aphrodite.

King of beats and improv
Highlights:
The first track I really like on this album is the first track on the album, which is one of three interludes, also known as "Tower Tronic". It is a very relaxing instrumental, and it captures the spirit of Enya in a drum and bass rhythm. It makes for an interesting introduction, and it is probably my favorite track on the album.

The second track I really like is called Spice. it doesn't have very many lyrics, but I like the few it does have. I like the repeated and sporadic whispering of the word "spice". This track is my favorite track that isn't an interlude. It has a magical sort of quality to it.

The last favorite of mine is called Woman That Rolls. It has a very good beat, and it is hella catchy. I like the sound clip that he mixes in the song where he says "I need a woman that rolls with my arrangement".

What first time listeners might think/experience:
Most people have never heard or even heard of drums and bass/jungle. What it is is techno sounds with the sounds of a drum kit and a heavy beat, with a lot of emphasis placed on the beat. Instrumentation is more important than lyrics are in the genre. The songs are usually either completely instrumental or there isn't much to the lyrics, which often are something that is repeated and remixed into the song over and over, often in different ways.

An unexperienced listener would probably say that this guy stuck a bunch of musical tracks in some sort of imaginary sound blender, put the lid on, turned on the blender, and then, suddenly, ripped the cover off.. The resulting sound would be an Aphrodite track. Yes, that is what it sounds like on the surface... Everything seems sporadic, varying, unplanned.. but you may realize that it sounds professional.. it sounds alright.. It doesn't sound like a total piece of S#!T.. at all.. It is beautiful and great.. It's because he knows what he is doing..

For experienced listeners:
Simply to say, this guy is the master of improvisation. He knows all the rules.. he follows them.. yet, to your ears, it sounds like he's breaking rules, because there is so much going on. I've noticed one important feature. AT LEAST ONE beat/melody at a given remains constant. It may be hard to notice at times, but it is always true. The reason it is so hard to notice is because there are up to around 5 other tracks being played that are varying at a given time... What is weird and special about Aphrodite is that even in the variations there is much consistency.. if you listen closely enough you can tell that there was a lot of planning, practice, and preparation involved in this guy's work. I given Gavin a lot of credit because he knows his improv.. he obviously had musical training and education... Not only that, but he makes something so consistent seem so varying.. so inconsistent... he's really good at fooling people's ears.. especially someone who doesn't listen closely.

That's about all. Happy listening.