The duo that is M.A.N.D.Y call this their "first official mix compilation" in the liner notes, which is true if one discounts the first Get Physical anniversary comp, but splitting hairs at this level isn't the most useful way around things. Suffice to say Body Language, Vol. 1 is a good effort in the field, a 21-track overview of their sets and approaches at the club dates that have helped make their name (and their label's) at various locations in Europe and elsewhere. Starting with the terribly funny "Argelulupier" by ...
Read More
The duo that is M.A.N.D.Y call this their "first official mix compilation" in the liner notes, which is true if one discounts the first Get Physical anniversary comp, but splitting hairs at this level isn't the most useful way around things. Suffice to say Body Language, Vol. 1 is a good effort in the field, a 21-track overview of their sets and approaches at the club dates that have helped make their name (and their label's) at various locations in Europe and elsewhere. Starting with the terribly funny "Argelulupier" by Monne Automne, thanks to the bizarre DJ voice trying to convey trivia information about the Isley Brothers, Body Language is one of those discs that just starts to ease down as a complete enough experience right when the disc is over -- a good example of art imitating life. Various Get Physical folks understandably crop up in the mix; besides M.A.N.D.Y itself courtesy of the title track, a collaboration with Booka Shade (who also appears separately with the snaky Microhouse bass kick of "Panoramic"), Sunset People takes an early bow with "Salty Dog." If there's something to note it's that the transitions between songs, while never rough, are still sometimes a bit abrupt, with a sudden shift in volume or beat that's a bit jarring. At other points, though, such as the great transition between DJ Minx's "A Walk in the Park" (as remixed by Villalobos) and Slam's "This World (Robag Wruhme Vocal Mix)," they completely nail the combination of perfect drama and keeping the beat going. Similarly, the shift between Francisco's sprightly extended mix of "Moon Roller" and the pretty-into-glowering neo-industrial of Tiefschwarz's "Issst" flows well, while the concluding tracks bring everything down to a gentle close, but not without some last energy courtesy of Luciano's "Octogonal." ~ Ned Raggett, Rovi
Read Less