Tiga

When the media decided to adopt electro music as its new "next big thing," it caused a rift in the small community that had supported machine music for years. Many were appalled at the media's coverage of so-called "electroclash" (named after a series of club nights hosted by New York's Larry Tee), as both press and television seemed to focus upon the gaudy, retro, and superficial aspects of the movement. Conversely others jumped at the chance to take their music out of the basement parties and backrooms and into the big nightclubs.

Montreal's DJ Tiga, most notorious for his 2001 remake of Corey Hart's "Sunglasses at Night" (with Zyntherius "Jori" Hulkkonen), joins the latter faction on his new mix CD for Studio K7's DJ-Kicks series. Unlike 2001's Mixed Emotions, this new compilation revels in the hype. His self-produced "Man Hrdina" is a richly textured Italo track, as is Break 3000's "Sacrifice" (a remake of Mr. Flagio's classic anthem "Take a Chance"). Unfortunately it's all sloppily mixed, especially when Sir Drew's "She Male" crashes chaotically into DFA's remix of Le Tigre's "Deceptacon," making one wonder if they ever should have been blended together in the first place. Even worse, many of the tracks have already reached their expiration date on the dance floor. The CD has one saving grace, though: It thankfully omits Tiga's dreadful remake of Nelly's "Hot in Herre."