There have been a lot of Masters At Work compilations over the years, so it’s hats off to Defected for avoiding another re-treading of old ground, producing a collection of lesser known works that fill a few gaps for the keen collectors while doubtless enticing in a few new fans. What these tracks all show is how consistent Louie Vega and Kenny Dope have been through the years, able to attach their fluid bass lines to artists as far removed as Baaba Mal and Saint Etienne. Perhaps their best remixes are for the gospel-soul interface, though, and Bebe Winans’ ‘Thank You’ comes off really well, prompted by subtle bass. George Benson’s ‘Song For My Brother’, meanwhile, has one of those brilliant bass lines which is like a boomerang, running off in the distance but then coming back. Funky People’s ‘Funky People’ is brilliant, with its breezy loop and percussion, while of the more familiar moments Nuyorican Soul’s ‘Runaway’ still has its freshness, the Masters’ ‘I Can’t Get No Sleep’ still stirs the soul and Ruffneck’s ‘Everybody Be Somebody’ still inspires in its MAW Style Mix. With vivid packaging and a total of 40 tracks to enjoy, you’d be a fool to miss a great document of 25 years in the business for house music royalty.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
