X-Press 2 in a little more time…
July 10th, 2006 by rui
Want house music all Friday night long? Head to X-Press 2’s Open Air slot for starters!
I guess I should give it a little more tiiiiime…….. But to be honest I’m too impatient to wait for house music’s coolest triumverate X-Press 2 to return the questionnaire devised solely for your reading pleasure (*EDIT! Rocky’s since been in touch, see below). Impatient to tell you that their brand-spanking newest album is every bit as refined, slickly defined, dancefloor-kind – crunching together touches of blasting synth electro, alt.country, balearic anthemic house and big, phat beats – as you’d hope after a four year relapse (read, creative drive) since their debut long player Muzikizum stole our hearts and hit the charts.
‘Makeshift Feelgood’ (say it fast to answer why they like dance music) is out at the end of August, but you’ll have been hearing tracks out and about, on the east end’s 24-hour underground scene and on various radio stations already. First single to get a commercial release off the album will be ‘Kill 100′ (featuring The Music’s Rob Harvey) whose Donna Summer ‘I Feel Love’ rift promises all the makings of a ubiquitous hit. It may not immediately top the popularity of the LP’s lead track ‘Give It (feat Kurt Wagner)’ which did the rounds last spring/summer (Big Chill regular Ross Allen we applaud you for rocking our twilight worlds with this one late night) – and by the time The Big Chill jumps upon us to bite us on our grassy asses, it won’t have come close to matching the sales of their David Byrne ‘Lazy’ 2002 global smash – but it’ll have made it into all the classy Ibizan villas by summer’s end. And Zane Lowe has already called it ‘the hottest record in the world’. Gosh…
Makeshift Feelgood is an excellent, full-bodied LP. A ‘journey’ (cough) featuring male vocalists aplenty (also includes Tim De Laughter of Polyphonic Spree, Anthony Roman of Radio 4 and Bernard Fowler) purposefully toned down, to create a listening post better suited for daytime listening than any of X-Press 2’s previous catalogue has been to date. The album’s penchant for ballads – beat ballads – may incur the wrath of their hardcore 4/4 fanbase but I’m biased in favour, thanks to shared musical cultural references and, having followed the DJ careers of Ashley Beedle, Rocky & Diesel since the Flying Boys Own parties of old, there’s little these guys can do wrong in my eyes. Yes, so sweetly tainted! Too much good music, at too many parties, always they’ve consistently pushed house music’s non-cheesy driving forces, drawing on their Black, reggae, roots or casual soulboy influences to continually evolve their good-time style.
With Makeshift Feelgood, anyone might well question, are they growing up, absconding the 7am afterparty in favour of seeking some homely family airplay? Never! DJs don’t grow up, they just adjust their timetables. Whether at Ibiza’s DC10, their London Muzik X-Press club residency, The Big Chill, my next garden party or in Mrs Rocky’s kitchen, you can bet your bottom dollar that X-Press 2 will rock da house, yah. So if you fancy a mental trip (to help you shake off your physical one to Eastnor Deer Park) head to the Open Air stage late on Friday for an audio/visual show (‘full of surprises’ winked Rocky).
Oh and it might just be an uncanny coincidence… that Lambchop are playing on another stage just before them… best not hold your breath like… I just wouldn’t want to let a possible moment slip you by…
Altogether now ‘I guess I should give it, a little more tiiiime…’
X-Press 2 play the Open Air stage on Friday night.
Hello Rocky. Four years and herewith ‘Makeshift Feelgood’ – happy with the results?
Yes very happy, with the guests and the end results. It’s taken far too long though!
Are there any surprises, changes of direction? It has a slight 80s synth pop sound, was that a scene any of you were into?
I personally was into the more electro/hip hop sound of the 80s so I think a bit of that has found it’s way onto the album. There’s definitely a change in direction from the last album, Muzikizum was basically a collection of dance tracks, whereas Makeshift Feelgood has had a lot more thought put into it.
What’s your personal favourite track?
Both ‘Give It’ and ‘Kill 100’ because both the vocals and vocalists are so completely out there.
Was creating a day time listening vibe intentional?
Yes I think so. We wanted something that sounded good at 3pm as well as 3am.
What was X-Press 2′s preferred way to get through long studio sessions?
Play PSP.
You’ve been both as a musician and a visitor to TBC, what have been your highlights?
Djing a couple of years ago was pretty ace and I loved the Fat Tuesday’s tent last year. I also really enjoyed the Sunday lunchtime session.
You’re back at The Big Chill this year, this time on the outdoor Open Air stage. Looking forward to it?
Absolutely. The Big Chill is fantastic and to be playing on that stage is a complete honour. It’s always great to be playing/partying outdoors, there’s just a feeling of freedom that you don’t get in clubs.
You’re always off doing another gig mid weekend! Will you be leaving and coming back again this year?
Yup. It coincides with our residency at the Cross. It is nice to pop home for a shower and freshen up though.
Lambchop are on another stage just before you, might we expect a little guest appearance from Kurt Wagner?
That would be ace eh!! Who knows. Let’s see. Pretty please Kurt…..
