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Radio JXL: A Broadcast from the Computer Hell Cabin

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Junkie XL

 
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Radio JXL: A Broadcast from the Computer Hell Cabin

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From singles to chillout, Junkie XL covers the bases

  • We Say...

    Review by Geeta Dayal

    Dutch techno DJ Tom Holkenburg, better known as Junkie XL, scored an international smash in 2002 with a big-beat remix of Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation." He returns with Radio JXL, a two-disc set featuring a raft of high-profile guest vocalists. Disc 1 includes "A Little Less Conversation," as well as collaborations with '80s new wave icons Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode, Robert Smith of The Cure, and Gary Numan. "Perfect Blue Sky" pairs Smith's trademark angst-ridden moans with a spare, icy melody; in "Reload," Gahan's forlorn baritone echoes over a bouncy electro beat, sounding almost like a prime Depeche Mode cut. In "Angels," Junkie XL harnesses Numan's naturally robotic tendencies for electroclash-inspired synth-pop. But the most surprising team-ups here are with Public Enemy's Chuck D, reggae legend Peter Tosh and legendary '60s soul balladeer Solomon Burke; of these, the standout is "Catch up to My Step," with Burke singing sweetly over a catchy gospel groove.

    The guest spot-heavy Disc 1 of Radio JXL scans more like an eclectic jumble of radio-friendly singles than a coherent manifesto. Disc 2, in contrast, is a fluid DJ mix that plays smoothly from beginning to end. The focus here is on ambient-flavored chillout for after-hours listening. The mix peaks with "Breezer," a collaboration with global trance sensation Sasha. (It's not the first time the two have joined forces; Junkie XL co-produced Sasha's 2002 album Airdrawndagger.) As the track's title implies, it's breezy and uplifting; the song gradually builds from dreamy whooshes to a muscular dance track by the song's end. Other highlights include an icy remix of the Gary Numan collaboration "Angels" from Disc 1, and the 12-minute epic "Beauty Never Fades," a steely progressive house track featuring the haunting voice of Saffron, the former Republica vocalist who makes three appearances on Disc 1.

  • They Say...

    Review by David Jeffries, All Music Guide

    On his first album since striking worldwide gold with a remix of Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation," Junkie XL gathers a clever group of collaborators and celebrates the "anything goes" spirit of the digital age. Before you go thinking that Radio JXL is another flashy exercise in excess like the Elvis single, check the excellent "Tennis," a laid-back and loose groover that shows tasteful restraint. Unlike the glittery Funkstar de Luxe -- who started the trend of remixing the dead with multiple Bob Marley mixes -- Junkie XL has vision and ideas that go well past cheeky rebirths. One of the best is having the snarl of former Republica vocalist Saffron on three tracks. Her cool and cocky style sits well on top of Junkie's cinematic and driving music, and a full-length from the two would be more than welcome. Elsewhere a lost Peter Tosh track gets respectfully housed, Dave Gahan, Gary Numan, and Grant Nicholas from Feeder deliver emotive epics, and former Specials-man Terry Hall goes completely boisterous and bonkers on a bouncy and infectious rave-up. The Chuck D and Solomon Burke appearances are disappointingly moderate, but a second disc of spacious and chilled beats that flows extremely well makes up for it. You don't have to stop there if you follow Junkie's plan. The liner notes point to a website he's constructed around the album with two more discs to download and a 24-hour radio station that streams alternate mixes and unreleased Radio JXL tracks day and night. The only quibble is that sticking the Elvis cut on the American version is a tacky record company move that messes up the flow of the album a bit while sacrificing some rather good collaborations with Infusion. Still, it's an exciting album in both execution and concept with much more substance than expected.

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