The one thing you can say about Armand is that his musical taste is not only varied, but also very good. Following up last year’s artist album, ‘Ghettoblaster’, AVH returns to his roots for another straight-up essential selection of tunes that have inspired him during his career that’s now well into its second decade. As with the first instalment ‘New York: A Mix Odyssey’ it draws on a myriad of dance styles and classics from the ’80s and ’90s with a few new productions thrown in as potential single fodder. Hip-house from Chill Rob G and Fast Eddie, dirty jackin’ beats from Strafe and proto-Chicago acid from Nitro Deluxe. Add some killer hip-hop classics in ‘Back By Dope Demand’, ‘Don’t Scandalize Mine’, ‘Go On Girl’, and ‘I’ll House You’, and equally dope cuts from Eric B, Doug Lazy, Toni Scott and Tyree Cooper, and the party should be more then jumpin’. As to the new bits, the inclusion of ‘Illin ‘n’ Fillin’, ‘Ski Hard’ featuring Christian Rich and ‘Shake That Ass’, the strongest of the trio, helps add a contemporary twist to a highly listenable opus. Roll on part three.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Lewis Dene
