Sequential 002
Artist: Omid 16B
Label: SexOnWax
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Released: 2009-03-23
Type: Single/Vinyl
Omid 16B, of SOS fame – and lets face it, Omid16B fame – comes packed with what you want. His DJ sets being legendary excursions into house and dub, his production also noted as being outstanding, and his dedication to great music have been the qualities that have not only pushed him to the forefront of the dance music world, but have made him a trend-setter, someone who’s record crate you’d sell your best mate for a chance to look through.
Omid definitely delivers with Same As You. Immediately catchy, this track is like a spacey disco extravaganza. The bassline essentially carries this tune, taking front seat as other elements only add to the goodness. Jazzy elements are definitely present, mostly in the form of a great sax riff that is terribly subtle – and even more effective, for this reason – as it mostly floats in the distance when it makes it’s irregular appearances. Though the Dub and Club Dub mixes are essentially the same for the most part, the Vocal Mix is given some definite extra spice by the vocal talents of Loui Smith, Luke Armstrong, and Omid himself, combining to provide a very Robert Smith-esque quality.
The Move is immediately reminiscent of a late-90’s house tune, from the “rave piano,” to the funky bassline. Taken as a whole, this track is definitely worthy of a nod in the direction of overall production and arrangement. The Vocal Mix – with Loui Smith again doing the honors – makes this a bit more aggressive and dance-floor friendly. But overall both the Vocal and Dub Mix are entirely too long for my tastes. Originally 30 minutes long (!?) this 12-and-a-half minute track doesn’t contain enough of a story to justify its length. I have no choice but to recognize the fact that Omid has stuck to his guns, saying, ““I don’t really care how long tracks end up, as long as they flow with a bassline… I wanted to include all my favorite elements in a solid club toon and build the track like a mini DJ mix.” However, though I foresee many a DJ throwing this in their sets, I’d be surprised if more than a few didn’t mix out of it early.
It’s no surprise that Mr. 16B showcases his abilities yet again. It truly seems that those that have been able to find themselves at the top of the industry have truly done so for a reason; whether it be consistency in music production, all around hard work, or a combination of the two (more likely the latter). But this release is yet another case-in-point on the subject, as Omid has undoubtedly delivered with Sequential 002.
Tracks:
1. Same As You – Vocal Mix
2. Same As You – Club Dub
3. Same As You – Dub Mix
4. The Move – Live Vocal Mix
5. The Move – Live Club Dub
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The economy eats your TV
Has it really been so long since I've posted? Have I truly sunken to such lows as to leave my dedicated readers -- all 7 or so of them -- without my every word to hang upon for such an extended period of time? Shame on me!
A lot has happened to my humble little life since last I've written. For one, I've begun the process of writing my first printed, literary venture. That's right, I'm writing a book. What's this book, you query? Well, quite simply put, it's a small rub to my own ego. It's the assumption that some of the stories that I might share about my life, and most relevant, my experiences as a DJ, will be interesting enough to not only read, but to purchase. And, apropos to this post, it may have taken place of some of the creative -- or not so creative -- juices that would otherwise have dripped onto these virtual pages.
Secondly, I've taken a term away from school (blame the economy) and have thereby been presented with a small amount of extra free time. So what do I do? I fill up that free time, of course. I've picked up the thread of a previous project of writing music reviews for www.365mag.com, an international, internet-based music magazine. I wrote for these guys a couple of years ago, but had to put my contributions on hold as writing papers was exhausting my mental capacities -- the little of them that exist. But now that this vessel-of-bad-grammar-and-split-infinitives is no longer tethered to an academic master, I'm back at the task of ruining the careers of producers across the world. I'll attempt to upload some of these reviews on this site to prevent any of you the labor of having to copy and paste the link to the website into your browser. You lazy bunch of blog readers, you.
Finally, and more recently, I have accomplished an amazing feat in this economy: I've taken a new job. Indeed, I went from already having a job, with a fair amount of job security, and managed to better my situation by taking a new position at a new, more attractive company. Now I won't get into the exact location and details of my new digs as I don't want to tempt all of you out there that I've already had to take out restraining orders on, as well as the undiscovered stalkers that haven't yet made any attempts on my life. But I will say that the first day at the new job I partook in champagne and ice cream, followed by a meeting on the second day, complete with beer. Sounds good? It is.
But I'd like to make note of an observation or two that I had while taking some time off between jobs. It's been some time since I've had a few consecutive days to sit on my lazy bum and do nothing but watch TV if I so chose. Now, I didn't just watch TV, mind you. And, yes, I know I could have been using that time to either fill the pages of my book or to put more useless information on this site. But with the little TV that I did watch, that I was able to stomach watching, I was faced with the undeniable truth that daytime television plain sucks. I mean, really really sucks.
The hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are dominated by a series of mindless, classless programs running the gauntlet from Jerry Springer and the Steve Wilko Show, to Judge Judy and Divorce Court, as well as and endless stream of soap operas and crappy info-mmercials. And running alongside of these shows are nothing but commercial after commercial of how best to get your degree, fast; of how to get into court reporting, medical and dental assisting, and the culinary arts. And this is the theme of the day. This is what the jobless America is faced with, day after day.
The thought that occurs to me, however, is that during these economic times, during the "Great Repression" -- as it is now being called -- there are more highly educated, specialized, and sophisticated minds at home and jobless than there have been in decades. When my position at my previous place of employment became available, there were 35o (!) applications in a week. And as a semi-educated (I haven't finished school yet, remember?) individual, I'm bored stiff and mildly nauseated with what is presented to me as "entertainment" for daytime programming. What must these poor people be suffering? Because as I whiled away my time, alternating between sheer laziness and exercise before starting my new job, these educated individuals have been faced with the uncertainty and dread of having no income. All that they have to take their minds from the situation that's been presented to them is mothers who've been sleeping with their daughters' boyfriends or the character who's been in a coma for the past 7 years (5 days, in soap time), recovers, but is possessed by a demon. I think that at this point I'd be considering a healthy career in alcoholism.
A lot has happened to my humble little life since last I've written. For one, I've begun the process of writing my first printed, literary venture. That's right, I'm writing a book. What's this book, you query? Well, quite simply put, it's a small rub to my own ego. It's the assumption that some of the stories that I might share about my life, and most relevant, my experiences as a DJ, will be interesting enough to not only read, but to purchase. And, apropos to this post, it may have taken place of some of the creative -- or not so creative -- juices that would otherwise have dripped onto these virtual pages.
Secondly, I've taken a term away from school (blame the economy) and have thereby been presented with a small amount of extra free time. So what do I do? I fill up that free time, of course. I've picked up the thread of a previous project of writing music reviews for www.365mag.com, an international, internet-based music magazine. I wrote for these guys a couple of years ago, but had to put my contributions on hold as writing papers was exhausting my mental capacities -- the little of them that exist. But now that this vessel-of-bad-grammar-and-split-infinitives is no longer tethered to an academic master, I'm back at the task of ruining the careers of producers across the world. I'll attempt to upload some of these reviews on this site to prevent any of you the labor of having to copy and paste the link to the website into your browser. You lazy bunch of blog readers, you.
Finally, and more recently, I have accomplished an amazing feat in this economy: I've taken a new job. Indeed, I went from already having a job, with a fair amount of job security, and managed to better my situation by taking a new position at a new, more attractive company. Now I won't get into the exact location and details of my new digs as I don't want to tempt all of you out there that I've already had to take out restraining orders on, as well as the undiscovered stalkers that haven't yet made any attempts on my life. But I will say that the first day at the new job I partook in champagne and ice cream, followed by a meeting on the second day, complete with beer. Sounds good? It is.
But I'd like to make note of an observation or two that I had while taking some time off between jobs. It's been some time since I've had a few consecutive days to sit on my lazy bum and do nothing but watch TV if I so chose. Now, I didn't just watch TV, mind you. And, yes, I know I could have been using that time to either fill the pages of my book or to put more useless information on this site. But with the little TV that I did watch, that I was able to stomach watching, I was faced with the undeniable truth that daytime television plain sucks. I mean, really really sucks.
The hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are dominated by a series of mindless, classless programs running the gauntlet from Jerry Springer and the Steve Wilko Show, to Judge Judy and Divorce Court, as well as and endless stream of soap operas and crappy info-mmercials. And running alongside of these shows are nothing but commercial after commercial of how best to get your degree, fast; of how to get into court reporting, medical and dental assisting, and the culinary arts. And this is the theme of the day. This is what the jobless America is faced with, day after day.
The thought that occurs to me, however, is that during these economic times, during the "Great Repression" -- as it is now being called -- there are more highly educated, specialized, and sophisticated minds at home and jobless than there have been in decades. When my position at my previous place of employment became available, there were 35o (!) applications in a week. And as a semi-educated (I haven't finished school yet, remember?) individual, I'm bored stiff and mildly nauseated with what is presented to me as "entertainment" for daytime programming. What must these poor people be suffering? Because as I whiled away my time, alternating between sheer laziness and exercise before starting my new job, these educated individuals have been faced with the uncertainty and dread of having no income. All that they have to take their minds from the situation that's been presented to them is mothers who've been sleeping with their daughters' boyfriends or the character who's been in a coma for the past 7 years (5 days, in soap time), recovers, but is possessed by a demon. I think that at this point I'd be considering a healthy career in alcoholism.
So if any of you happen to be television executives, think on that population of bored, educated, unemployed out there, begging for some fodder for the brain. Maybe toss in some reruns of past seasons of The Office, or even bring back Saved by the Bell, for Pete's sake. But spare their livers the inevitable if they are left with no other options!
And for the rest of you, keep checking this space for more tedious reads. Hopefully I won't be leaving you all hanging for another 3-4 months.
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