Sounds Like: Alola Records. They're back!

17 years is a long, long time in the business of cutting-edge music but English label Alola Records is celebrating just that. Sounds Like Alola is two separate mixes of the label's back-catalogue - either remastered or completely remixed or edited for 2011 - combined with a few new tracks - all of which will be available at the usual digi-download stores.

Volume 1 is mixed by label boss Omid 16b, a veteran producer of futuristic music who's 1998 album 'Sounds From Another Room' and the more recent 'Like 3 Ears and 1 Eye' showcase his ample skills for genre-bending classiness. This mix is chock full of his own house - tech-house productions comprising mostly his own productions including the stand-out gem 'Re-Arranged' and the pokey 'Who Are You?'

Volume 2 was put together by a true DJ's DJ, Demi, who makes use of the more off-kilter material from Alola's past and comes up with a mix you'd expect to hear if Dimitri From Paris went on a futuristic buzz. It's a cluster of downbeat, afro-jazz and house productions with quirky as the overwhelming theme. With material from rising guns Marco Da Mata & Matthew, veterans Vince Watson and House of 909 and a few sneaky edits by Demi thrown in this has the on repeat thing going on big time.

Key moments: 'It Doesn't Have To End' - lifted from his 1998 album, remixed for the comp on Volume 1, and Vince Watson's 'Mystical Rhythm' on Volume 2.

Alola has long had a fanbase which includes some of the best known taste-makers in underground music and Sounds Like Alola will hit the spot with most open-minded listeners and earn the label plenty of new fans.

5/5 stars! With music this good, the idiots might not win for a change!

Listen/buy Sounds Like Alola at Beatport.com

Reviews with Rob Warner - Jan 2009

Here's some short takes on some tunes I've been digging in the few days between Christmas and NYE. It's silly season out there but there's no shortage of brilliant music coming out - especially from some well known camps like Rob Rives and Omid 16b.
Danny Tenaglia - Music Is The Answer (Rob Rives mix) (Twisted)

WOW! is the best description for this remix. Rob Rives' remix of this classic is hands-down the best remix of MITA to date. It's Rives' signature dark, heavy, sweat-laden house. His cutting and splicing of the vocals is brilliant as is the well-paced arrangement. Nothing flash-in-the-pan here, just quality to the max.

Omid 16b - Sequential 001 (SexOnWax)

I almost missed this one but I'm a pretty big fan of Omid 16b's productions and his latest EP, Sequential 001, is a cracker. Three tracks of different vibes here but all with the same future garage vibe I dig: Funky, futuristic and twisted. The biggie here is the 9 minute "To Run To" which is big-room darkness at its best.

Crom and Doobie - Parklife (OFF Recordings)

Following hot on the heels of the first release on OFF by Basti Grub which has gained support from the likes of Luca Bacchetti, Roger Sanchez, Luke Solomon etc. is this deep, tech-tribal dance floor destroyer with crazy, pokey chords and stabs. M.in's remix is brilliant as it the Danito mix.

Cytric - Filthy Beats (Kult)

Someone forgot to tell Cytric that tribal is so... well, 2000. Of course it's been the case too often: tribal releases being bland, belting drums and nothing much to inspire. Here Cytric has turned the 'kicking tribal' knob to full and 'Filthy Beats' is just that - a layered, jacking, tribal groove which is top notch dance-floor madness.

Nicholas Van Orton feat Cream Sound - Gravity (Carica Records)

Definitely a solid tune in 'prog' territory. The Stereo K Light mix sounds great - very nice work with a half prog-half tech mix which makes very cool use of the vocals. Josel also does a remix which is solid along a more groovy prog line.