Search - DJ Db :: Secret Art of Science 2: Then & Now

DB never disappoints

AndrewNYC | New York, NY | 08/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"DB's mix CDs (or live sets for that matter)are always enjoyable. Here he's made a mix of absolute classics for the genre along with some newer tunes that are sure to become classics in their own right. With his mixes, he always takes the listener on the proverbial journey and this one is no exception with a good mix of some harder business mixed with some smoother tracks. I can strongly recommend this mix (and Secret Art of Science 1) whether you are a hardcore DB (or DNB) fan or if you'd like to hear more of the best tracks from this multi-faceted genre."

Ko / Shin

J. Charbonnet | off in my own little world | 11/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In Japanese the word "ko" means "old"; the word "shin" is "new". These two words aptly sum up this mix with the first half of the set featuring classics like "Expressions pt.1" by Dave Wallace and "Pulp Fiction" by Alex Reece, and the second half featuring newer tracks by High Contrast and Klute among others.



DJDB is a legend in the U.S. dnb scene. Not only as a dj, but as a promoter (NASA), label head (sm:)e, BBS, Orgone, f-111, Higher Education), pioneer (one of the first in the U.S. to push the dnb sound, and opened the first dnb/breakbeat oriented record store in the U.S.) and all around figure in the scene. He's been very outspoken, having provided material for Simon Reynolds' book Generation E, helping to launch the careers djs such as Reid Speed and Clever, producer, and even pushing other styles of music through the now defunct Sm:)e label (as well as having released two acid house/techno mixes and one 2-step mix). The man's passion for the music and the scene is truly infectious.





For me, DB was the first dnb DJ to really capture my attention with his Shades of Technology mix CD. He proved to me back then that there was more to the sound than just techstep, and i heard what dnb could be. A true revelation.



As far as this CD goes, it's a solid mix with a good concept. The idea of taking a look back (as with the first 8 tracks) just seems right at this point in time, but the track selection tends to be sort of weak, in my opinion. And as far as DB is concerned, it's not even totally unique to this mix ("Pulp Fiction" & "Expressions" can be heard on his CD History Part 2 and "Soul of Darkness" on the Sm:)e Mix Session 3 CD). The stand-out tracks for me out of the first 8 are "Jazzmin" by Cloud Nine and "Never As Good" by Wax Doctor.



As for the second (newer) part of the CD, it's definitely good, but not great. I would recommend this CD to people who have been fans of DB, but for those who are hearing one of his mixes for the first time, this would be towards the back of the list.



In the end, things have come a long way since 1999... it's probably been just as bitter as it has been sweet, but DB and the BBS crew raise through it. In the end, the ones who are truly passionate about what they love & what they do will always find ways to come out on top and keep doing what the love. DB is still the man!"