Lazy Dog, Volume 2
Everything But the Girl's Ben Watt and DJ partner Jay Hannan return with more of the deep house they mixed to dazzling effect on thefirstLazy Dogdisc. Modeled after the program from their weekly residence at London's Lazy Dog social club, the double-discLazy Dog 2finds the duo energized and dripping with deep house attitude. The duo's interpretations, which are more svelte, elegant, and modern than classic house, include ubiquitous handclaps and cymbal splashes met with salsa keyboard riffs, squawking saxophones, steaming organs, and sped-up vocals (on Peal Orchestra's "No Win Situation" the singer sounds like a prepubescent Michael Jackson). Both DJs confirm their tastes here; Watt indulges in lustrous mixes of vocal stars likeLucy Pearl,Sade, andSunshine Anderson, while Hannan gives props to movers likeBenjamin Diamond, Andy Caldwell (the man behindSounds of Om, Vol. 2), and DJ Sonic (though he also sneaks in '80s pop starKim English). The tracks pile-drive along in party mode, never skipping a beat but offering plenty of variation in style, making for a worthy addition to theLazy Dogcanon.--Ken Micallef