Smooth and organic techno from San Francisco’s Hawke (aka Gavin Hardkiss, famed San Francisco techno/house magician) makes 1998′s Namaquadisco one elegant collection of trippy American dancefloor trickery. The well-traveled and universally recognized Hardkiss had brought the music company that bears his name and his DJ skills into and around the world in the early ’90s, and by the time he dawned the Hawke moniker for this collection, his production skills were quite renowned. Namaquadisco’s forward-looking trance/funk lives up its creator’s reputation with some well-appointed rhythms sprinkled with just the right amount of groovy samples and tasteful keyboard strokes. The mood is pure “Jet-set Disco” on funky highlights like the contorted “I Have Her” and “Columbo’s Got Sloweye.” In keeping with the Hardkiss standard, this slice of funky techno is a dynamic and modern accomplishment. – Jason Anderson
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