Artist: Various (mixed and compiled by Ralph Lawson)
Album: Ralph Lawson - Content
Label: 2020Vision
Release date: 30/06/14
Twenty years ago Sony launched a little grey box called a Playstation that changed computer games forever, Forrest Gump and The Lion King were both released and PJ and Duncan (Ant and Dec) were getting ready to rumble. Have I made you feel old yet? But aside from all that, two decades ago one of the UK’s best independent dance labels, 2020Vision, was born in Leeds (and you thought the best thing to come out of that city was Mel B).
In a world of illegal downloads and accessible podcasts, this birthday marks such an achievement for the brand. From humble beginnings, 2020Vision has been a stepping stone for many of your favourite artists, kick-starting the careers of Maya Jane Coles, Paul Woolford, Crazy P, Citizen and Spirit Catcher just to name-drop a few. Their discography is a who’s who of the finest electro underground talent so naturally we wouldn’t expect their anniversary compilation, entitled 'Content', to be anything different.
The over-riding mood of the album is laid-back luxury. The neon-toned beat of Praise by Colours in Wave // Art of Tones provides a great opening thanks to its beach vibe and ultra-funky bassline. Tracks like Sacchi and Sasse’s sassy Future Domain with its zippy sounds and cocktail of instruments is sandwiched next to slinkier sounds from Soldiers of Twilight’s hit Believe remixed by PBR Streetgang. This tune treats us to velvety vocals layered on top of a groovy bass….and is that a xylophone I hear?
Amidst a busy summer jet-setting around the world to Sonar, Hideout, LA, Berlin, Ralph Lawson and the 2020Vision label have produced an album which will be a sizzling slice of sunshine in your life. The concept of this compilation is crystal: instead of a nostalgic record, Content is specifically about focusing on moving forward. This is evident as it shies away from including the conventional smash hits of the moment, instead introducing us to an assortment of fresh tunes.
Released on the 30th of June, Content is a colourful collaboration of exclusive productions interwoven with remixes of definitive tunes from Groove Armada, Simian Mobile Disco and Waze and Odessy. However, in my opinion, the stand-out track of the compilation is Maya Jane Coles’s Senseless which has been made over by the innovative and experimental Matthew Herbert. More chilled than an ice cream with a 99p flake, this remix is a unique blend of exotic beats and crisp vibrations which still shows off Cole’s versatility and vocal talents.
Other highlights include Huxley’s keyboard based track Body Talk and Eats Everything’s tasty hit Adam which is a jungle of sounds and builds up to more zaps than a 90s pinball machine.
Fore more on 2020Vision read the in depth Spotlight interview with Ralph Lawson here.
See the label in action at The Zoo Project 2020Vision takeover feat. Ralph Lawson, Dense & Pika, Harri & Domenic, Tuccillo, Acid Mondays, Burnski and Lee Pennington.
Tracklist:
CD ONE
Ralph Lawson // Content DJ Mix
1. Dubble D feat QnC - Intro
2. Colors in Waves remix // Art of Tones - Praise
3. PBR Streetgang remix // Soldiers of Twilight - Believe
4. Sacchi & Sasse - Future Domain
5. Matthew Herbert remix // Maya Jane Coles - Senseless
6. Doc Daneeka - One for Pidge
7. Pezzner remix // 2020Soundsystem - I Don't Know
8. Franck Roger - Too Blind To See
9. Huxley - Body Talk
10. Citizen - Where is Love Now?
11. Ejeca feat Freak Seven - Ancient Times / We Bring The Music
12. Eats Everything - Adam
13. Cassy remix // David Duriez - Get On Down
14. Simian Mobile Disco - Parson's Nose
15. Waze & Odyssey - In My Arms
CD TWO
Content 2.0
1. Eats Everything - Adam
2. Dense & Pika Remix // Paul Woolford - Erotic Discourse
3. Cassy Remix // David Duriez - Get On Down
4. Simian Mobile Disco - Parson's Nose
5. Matthias Tanzmann Remix // The Youngsters - Third Knife
6. Waze & Odyssey - In My Arms
7. Franck Roger - Too Blind To See
8. Huxley - Body Talk
9. Sacchi & Sasse - Future Domain // Instrumental Mix
10. PBR Streetgang Instrumental Mix // Soldiers of Twilight - Believe
11. Ejeca - Ancient Times
CD THREE
Content 3.0
1. Psychemagik Remix // Debukas - Some Days
2. Kalabrese - Muchtoosmall
3. Matthew Herbert Remix // Maya Jane Coles - Senseless
4. Doc Daneeka - One for Pidge
5. PBR Streetgang Remix // Soldiers of Twilight - Believe
6. Groove Armada Remix // Burnski - Coming Home
7. Citizen - Where is Love Now?
8. Colors in Waves Remix // Art of Tones - Praise
9. Pezzner Remix // 2020Soundsystem - I Don't Know
10. Tom Trago Remix // Wulf n Bear - Raptures of The Deep
