Scion and Kitsune Are Pioneers

Another month rolls by and another essential compilation is released by Scion. I don't know if they're selling cars in this economy, but they're doing one heck of a job at cranking out records that are more important than life itself. Their 23rd volume of the series features the uber brilliant French label Kitsune and eleven artists from their roster.

Is it any good? You betcha. Kitsune Pioneer is another chapter in the amazing legacy that is both the Scion Series and Kitsune. Kitsune Pioneer is a masterful compilation that runs the gamut of today's electro/house/whatever scene. The eleven tracks here are the equivalent to an hour long sweaty dance floor work out that features pretty much every amazing dance tune that should be filling floors across this land. From laid back groovers from artists such as Ted and Francis to massive monsters from the likes of Heartsrevolution, Guns and Bombs, and Fischerspooner there honestly isn't a duff track in the bunch.

To think this compilation is free is just ridiculous! Kitsune Pioneer is just one electronic battle weapon after another and if you DJ then this unmixed CD is like a treasure trove of uber-cool tracks that need to be played...repeatedly. Having listened to this on repeat for the last three days, It's hard to pick out which track is the best. The 80's guitar soundtrack pop of Heartsrevolution's, "Ultraviolence (Dubka Remix)", the adrenaline rush of Shinichi Osawa's rework of Cazals, "Poor Innocent Boys," or the mindwarping pulses of the Para One remix of Guns and Bombs, "Riddle of Steel," all stand out as brilliant tunes, but the other eight tracks that make up Kitsune Pioneer are just as good, if not better.

My advice to anyone reading this is who likes electronic music is find a way to get this compilation. Whether it's visiting Scion or Toyota or whatever, if you like to move to a beat then you need this compilation in your life. Seriously. Kitsune Pioneer is beyond highly recommended.

Sebastien Tellier Turns Up the Heat on Roche

Sebastien Tellier has long issued records that ooze sex, drugs, and rock and roll. This Frenchman, knows his way around a keyboard and drum machine and he works them to the bone in an effort to make songs that sound as if they belong in a series of erotic movies featuring his favorite women. His latest single, Roche is no different and is another highlight of slow brewing sensuality from the massive album that is Sexuality.

Roche is a breathy retro influenced ballad that utilizes the bare minimum of vintage synth and beats to get it's seductive point across. While it almost seems a bit to cold to seduce that's the point; the song is toying with you setting you up and leading you along knowing that it will win you over in the long run. And it does. It's heavy, suggestive and atmospheric stuff that's made even greater with two remixes from Kavinsky and Breakbot.

While the original version of Roche almost sounds like it came from the original Miami Vice, the Kavinsky remix sounds as if it belongs in Blade Runner in a love scene between two replicants. It's a cold, detached, clinical remix that sounds similar to Vangelis if he made bawdy soundtracks. The Breakbot remix on the other hand takes the original version of the song and runs it through the French Funkometer to generate a song that sounds like a slice of synthpop heaven and as a result is easily the coolest version here.

Roche might be a bit short at three songs but it's one heck of an impassioned single and while it might be a bit late for Valentines Day, Roche is the sort of record that will certainly spice up any romance.