Sound Design 1
In the world of dance music, "West Coast" often translates to throw-your-glow-sticks-in-the-air epic trance. Thanks to Los Angeles DJ Marques Wyatt, that's beginning to change. Wyatt has spent the better part of the last 14 years spinning, booking, and evangelizing the soulful, house sounds that are normally relegated to clubs in Chicago and New York. Educated in the school ofFrankie Knuckleshouse music, Wyatt favors uplifting, lyrical numbers.Sound Designshows Wyatt expanding his reach to other branches of the house-music tree. If you're coming to this CD expecting all divas all the time, think again--this mix is all over the map. Wyatt starts things off in familiar territory, with the heavily rotated club hit "Ain't No Runnin' Away," with diva Paula Ralph at the helm. After a Latin jazz remix ofLittle Louie Vega's "Elements of Life," Wyatt throws a curveball with Isolee'sBeau Mot Plage. Lo-fi and even a bit noodly, this track is sure to have his house disciples scratching their heads. Recovering nicely from this passage into geekier realms, Wyatt brings everything back to the warm, soft center for which he is known best with a mellow groove from Saudacao Aos Orixas. Hats off to Marques Wyatt, one of house music's bravest crusaders, for this brave yet party-friendly outing.--Courtney Reimer