Search - DJ Dan :: Funk the System

May The Funk Be With You

08/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Besides the great Olav Basoski and Robbie Rivera, there is currently no larger presence on the House music stage than DJ Dan. "Funk The System" is a template for proper house mixology, starting with tweaked-out acid phunk and quickly detouring into thunderous Chicago underground sounds, then building up a wall of disco madness that Dan smashes through with "House of Funk," a thoroughly refreshing track from Matt "M1" DiMaria. From there, it's hard house at its best, tripping through Thomas Heckman's superb rework of "We Praise" and culminating in a back-to-back barrage of DJ Dan's smash "That Zipper Track." Even though I already own half the vinyl Dan presents on this CD, I bought it anyway, just to see what he could do. My friends, DJ Dan is an explosion waiting to happen. "And they wonder why we took it underground..." (Note: Those lucky enough to own cars equipped with earth-shattering bass need to hear this baby in its entirety on a long night road trip. It will change your relationship with God.)"

Dance music for the jaded listener

Richard Diaz | 06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Age and countless reviews have worn down my enthusiasm for yet another dance mix. As compilations roll off the production lot in huge numbers, it's hard not to get jaded. Thus, just when it appears DJ's have forgotten how to craft original party sets, DJ Dan releases "Funk the System." Not a string of hard and fast numbers, he connects today's sound to the funk and disco of years past to concoct a groovin' wonder."Acid Attack" states the funk mantra and gets things started , using a Run DMC sample and (like it says) acid sounds. Not bad, but just a warmer for Stacy Kidd's beautifully simple, "Do Want You Feel," built on- if memory serves me- a Kool & the Gang sample. Classic disco given a modern rerub. "No Clothes On Your Back" is a chugging number featuring a snippet of Public Enemy's Flava Flav, leading to the next big hit, the disco statement "The Reason We Took it Underground." "Disco babes From Outer Space," with it's distorted voices and breakdown, would sound corny in most sets but works well here. The set's middle sags, largely off the track "House of Funk," which is funky and tells you so by endlessly looping the title in a vocal. "Disco Highway" and "Motorcross Madness" are winners, the latter starting the disc's buildup to harder, darker funk energy. The acid sound picks up over "We Praise" and "Phreakin" before climaxing with the DJ Dan's own hit "Needle Damage" (not good enough to sustain the two versions included) and Super Collider's "Darn Cold Way of Lovin'" What you have here is simply one of the best dance releases of 1999, suited for any environment. DJ Dan has picked tracks that show their influences to the 70's and 80's, and relive that sound through modern production. Pick this up and listen to a DJ at the top of his game."

DJ Dan has done it again!

Chris Gibson | Denver, CO | 02/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First let me start off with a little side note, this CD does not compare with his live sets. He is the best programmer on the scene today. He spins the greatest beats, all flawlessly. Which is to be expected on an album, he does it better live.As for the CD, like I said earlier, it is flawless, his transitions are smooth and clean. Whenever I put this CD on, I cannot help but get up and move to the funky beats. I rarely skip any tracks when I listen to this, but If you want the best of the CD, Skip to track 6 and listen straight through for auditory enjoyment. If you want a good funky house beat that out houses Bad Boy Bill, this is your CD!"