Search - Richard X :: Presents His X-Factor 1

MASH-UP, BOOTLEG, WHATEVER YOU CALL IT - GENIUS!

G. Mitchell | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/09/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I didn't want to like this CD, cause it's been so hyped by all the UK dance mags over the past few months, but now that it's finally out domestic on Astralwerks, I gotta admit, Richard X really outdid himself this time - his main technique is deceptively simple, yet complex: take a U.S. soul classic and place an 80s retro/electro-synth pop groove underneath - so we get Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" set over Human League's "Being Boiled" or Thelma Houston's lost classic "You Used to Hold Me So Tight" laid over Human League's "DARE"-era "Dreams Are Made Of" etc - it shouldn't work, but it does, and like gangbusters, as most all the tracks here literally LEAP out of the speakers to make you MOVE! While not brain surgery, this works on the dancefloor AND at home, which can't be said for lots of dance music - it may be branded dance/house, but it's really imbued with a more punk-rock/electro D.I.Y. attitude fitting of the UK scene - but it's quite clear Mr. X has been listening very, very closely to his old 80's JAM&LEWIS 12"s - NOW, I hope the success of this CD might make MCA (now Universal) reconsider finally re-issuing THELMA HOUSTON's long-lost "QUALIFYNG HEAT" LP on CD - listen to the source, learn it, and learn it well!! -"

4.5, but it doesn't hurt to round

C. Ancheta | the Lubb, TX | 01/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...and what an x-factor it is! This cd first caught my ears with "Finest Dream", featuring the ever-popular Kelis who seems to be lending her vocals to so many albums as of late, and the ever funky, always thump "You (better let me love you)" (which is my hands down favorite). When you first put the cd in, you'll almost immediately notice that 80's flair that really makes this album the special album it is. Music should be fun, but also refreshing. This cd does both of those. Here's a selected breakdown:"Being Nobody" - who can really hate this track? it has some great vocals from the across-the-pond group Liberty X and really sets the tone for the rest of the album. (4.5/5)"You Used to Hold Me" - mellow, funky, winner (4.5/5)"Walk on By" - okay here's where it gets kind of shady, song with a great beat but really REALLY lousy vocals (1/5)"Lemon/Lime" - same vocalist from "walk on by" but the funky breakbeat groove of this track really makes the vocals tolerable (3.5/5)"Finest Dream" - Definite party starter!! (5/5)"You (better let me love you)" - Party continues with a guest spot from Tiga (this track is much better than tiga's much overated 'hot in herre') (5/5)"Freak Like Me" - taking it back to the older school with a nice rework with the Sugababes (5/5)"

Another 4.5 but bring up that average

Mark McLaughlin | Deerfield Beach, FL | 09/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Possibly the most sadly overlooked "pop" or dance album ever. If this album would have received the proper attention in the states it would have been spectacular unfortunately not. Oh well to future generations that realize the brilliance here buy this now."