Neatly divided into CDs of ‘DC Originals’ and ‘DC Mixes’, Defected’s tribute to one of Chicago’s favourite house music sons brims with quality – and has the stamp of the master himself, for it was Carter who put the collection together. Tending to focus on the older stuff, it shows off that characteristic Carter bounce, the feet barely able to stay on the floor as his springy beats work their magic. Things could hardly start on a better vibe than Sound Patrol’s ‘Tripping Among The Stars’, where a clever bit of acappella working sets us up nicely for the beats – a classic old school production of voices and beats only. Meanwhile DJ Bang offers clipped beats and crisp samples, and Carter himself gives a jazz extension to the rather wonderful ‘Squaredancin’. The remixes are well chosen, from Freaks’ ‘Telefunky’ to Rosie Brown’s ‘Bliss’, with the cream left right to the end in the form of Carter’s remix of Jorge Watts’ ‘Up To The Sky’, with its close knit percussion work-out. For Carter fans, essential – and for house music disciples, pretty much impossible to ignore too!
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
