Forgive us for blowing our own trumpets, but we think the return of the ‘Back To Mine’ series after 11 years away is a big thing. Bringing the compilation back with a flourish is Nightmares On Wax aka George Evelyn, who chose his selections while abroad in Bali and near Kilimanjaro. The party certainly doesn’t stop when you go back to Evelyn’s, either – all it does is relocate! That much is clear right from the off, the mix smoothly and effortlessly into its groove with the Children Of Zeus and ‘Fear Of A Fat Planet’. Evelyn keeps it classy throughout, the grooves coming thick and fast from Massimo Vanoni, whose ‘Exciting Groove’ shimmers in the half light, Chieftain’s ‘Out Of My Life’ and the predictably bouncy, good natured sounds of Steve Cobby – his ‘Lefthanded Books’ featuring the vocals of Danielle Moore. Evelyn himself contributes two of the three exclusive tracks on offer, a smoky ‘Good Ship’ featuring Steve Spacek and a winning remix of the Fat Freddy’s Drop track ‘Russia’ to close out the disc. As with all the best compilations, this one brings something new to the table, right alongside the good vibes you would expect from Nightmares On Wax. Of course we are a bit biased, but I can promise you this is the surest of surefire cures for January blues, and – we are delighted to say – the first of many more in the series!
Ben Hogwood
5 out of 5
