It’s good to see the ‘Back In The Box’ series coming back, as it brings DJs out of their comfort zone and invites them to use their imagination when selecting their own influences. Dave Clarke rises magnificently to the occasion with a set of rare and very delectable early house, featuring several exclusives. Not for him the comfortable approach, and that’s clear less than a minute into the ultra dark ‘I Believe’, from Blackman A Blackman & Another Blackman. An energetic and powerful mix adds crackers from Blake Baxter, Rude Boy Farley Keith, ‘Fast’ Eddie Smith and Mr. Lee, before ending with classic Gil Scott Heron and the ‘Space Shuffle’. Something of a history lesson from Mr Clarke, as a lot of these tracks will be unfamiliar even to fans of the period. It’s what ‘Back In The Box’ should be all about.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
