From early origins in Blackpool, Dick ‘Magik’ Johnson has now made New Zealand his home. It’s been a productive journey, though, starting with a residency at the Hacienda (alongside Graeme Park and Tom Wainwright, before later starting the legendary 5th Man basement sessions), and going on to producing for classic UK labels like Olympic, Pleasure and Paper Recordings, and involvement with Shaboom. These were times when club based music was expanding into new territories, finding it’s feet and maturing beyond it’s naive, youthful outlook. And it’s this well-rounded sound that drives Johnson’s musical style – disco, garage, tech-house, electro, funk, rubbing shoulders with production styles old and new. “Rollergirl” is, quite rightly, a firmly established favourite already in the right circles. “Feel Alright” is a classic vocal in that fine New York tradition. In fact, with the exception of a pointless cover of Human League’s “Being Boiled” (more a nod to musical trends rather than an essential re-working), this is a cool selection of real tunes, proud of it’s heritage, and – thanks to it’s timeless aura – the kind of album you’ll want to listen to over and over.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Darren Wall
