Much is made of the fact that the world’s doyen of house music, Little Louis Vega, is something of an Oskido fan. At the Miami launch of Vega’s last album, press releases tell us, Oskido (whose real name is Oscar Mdlongwa) joined Mafikizolo, Spikiri and Mahoota “for a live PA on the main stage, and then led a contingent of South African DJs on the second floor”.Now that your breath has been taken away, you can recover with the knowledge that the new compilation of Oskido’s Church Grooves: The Third Commandment (CCP) is really nothing new.Okay, so compilations by their very nature are not intended to be new, but a bringing together of what DJs consider the best of the genre at any one time. But could it really be that this heavily percussive and rather unjazzy mix is what dancers want now?French heroes DJ Gregory and DJ Yellow follow the funny intro (“Thou shall dance!”) with Soldiers by Africanism, a piece of clatter that sets the pace for what is commendably a celebration of various types of black music being enjoyed by urban South Africans today.There’s Hi Life by Luke Howard on track two, there’s the rather abrasive reworking of Salif Keita in Martin Solveig’s mix of Madan — the plug track for some reason. Top of the list, though, is some really groovy and cynical Afro-fusion, Fela style, in Dennis Ferrer’s Dem People Go. Oskido’s own Daddy Daddy pays homage to his kids — and a lot of plastic echoing fails to redeem the voice of Dixie who really cannot sing. Not for senior-citizen disco queens.
Hell Is for Heroes: The Neon Handshake (EMI)
Boisterous British rock with loads of attitude — imagine Manic Street Preachers in overdrive. Hailing from London and known for their energetic live shows, these boys do it loud and proud and their on-stage power is captured well on CD. Yes, it’s riff-laden, but the basic rock recipe is enhanced with melody and more complex arrangements, such as Few against Many and Disconnector. Keep an eye on this band. — Riaan Wolmarans
Various: The Right Stuff (David Gresham)
Multi-genre hits of the moment — Panjabi MC’s Mundian to Bach Ke with its cool Knight Rider bassline, more Indian beats on Husan by Bhangra Knights vs Husan, Nickelback’s rock hit Woke Up This Morning, Afro-Z, Cutting Jade, Karen Micaela, Feeder, Paul Oakenfold and many more. Too varied to listen in one go — just select your favourites. — RW
Various: Trance Nation 2003 Virgin)
It kicks off with the funky take on Queen’s Flash by Vanguard, but the rest is too subdued to be truly exciting. It gets cheesy (a-ha’s Take on Me is reworked) and unoriginal (yet another version of Fine Day). Good for background music at parties. — RW
Turin Brakes: Ether Song (Virgin))
What an impressive album. The music made by this band on their second album is labelled “quietcore” or “slo-fi”, they say, which means it’s confidently laid-back and downbeat folk-pop that neatly avoids too much melancholy, updating the the Neil Young sound for a new millennium. Average Man has a touch of Suede’s wistful sound, and fans of Radiohead and Coldplay will also find much to enjoy. It’s enchantingly personal, worth enjoying over and over. — RW