Uruguay
Best known for his vital role inUnderworld, London mixman Darren Emerson demonstrates in this double-disc release a sense of levity alongside healthy swirls of trance-house hedonism. Spiced with dashes of soul, disco, and strong vocal turns, yet never lacking in the sort of tempo that requires a case of Red Bull to keep up with it, the whole set feels very much like a journey through Emerson's home music collection. He skillfully manages to bring some divergent strains together without missing (pardon the pun) a beat. Moving from the warm funkiness of Bert Drunk's "Groove Y'All" to the Harold Faltermeyer-esque echo of Saints & Sinners' "Pushin Too Hard" would be a stretch for some, but in Emerson's hands it simply makes for a logical progression. On the second disc, Emerson hits his Underworld-like cruise control and really takes off: Genetic Grooves' "Cloud 99" is pure blue sky coastal driving and Aaron Carl's "Dance Naked" is the surfing stop. And by the time Christian Smith's trance-soaked "Mojito" has been introduced to the mix, you realize that whether at home or in Uruguay, Darren Emerson's parties are an exercise in top-class fun.--Steffan Chirazi