Founded during dance music's darkest days, Get Physical are arguably one of this decade's most endearing success stories. At a time when clubs and labels were folding left, right and centre, these Berlin beat bandits swooned in through the backdoor and provided an antidote for the industry's doom and gloom by doing something different.
Okay, they didn't single handedly save dance music, but they certainly provided essential support… And they gave us monstrous acts such as Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y and DJ T while they were at it. It's all too easy to focus on the label's big three, though. I'll bet even your grandma's had a sneaky bop to Body Language and Mandarine Girl when you weren't looking. No, there's far more to this Berlin indie than headliners, and they know this themselves. That's why they deliver collections like Full Body Workout.
Volume one was released in 2004. On it were artists such as Silver City, Martinez and Afrilounge. Now common names to the dancefloor, four years ago their spotlights had barely warmed up. Traditionally a vinyl-only collection, Full Body Workout are Get Physical's gift.
Not just to the eager DJs who've supported them, but to the ever-growing mass of producers who are the life blood of the label.
This month sees the release of Full Body Workout Volume 4, and times have changed. They're now adding a few more numbers and offering a mix CD version for those of us who don't DJ. What follows is a slick showcase of some of the label's best buds, old and new.
Highlights are truly in abundance but that's unsurprising considering the series' original modus operandi, each track is a designated DJ nugget. What's also striking is the sheer sonic scope - from the roaring tribal techno of Italoboyz to the chic electronica of Electrochemie, the Get Physical spectrum has never been wider. Especially when you consider releases such as Noze's Songs On The Rocks and Raz Ohara's Kisses earlier on this year.
Basically, whether you're a DJ or a just a passionate lover of all things electronic, Full Body Workout 4 is guaranteed to satisfy your craving for quality underground house and techno. Moments of groove glory gather at every corner; Ida Einberg & David West's Giant From Nibiru, a personal favourite of mine, works as vibrant cosmic anthem of tomorrow, Gavin Herlihy's Indian Horse is a spectacular sonic safari and Williams' Natty Dread is just plain mental.
And that's just three of 14. I could tell you all about Italoboyz dark drum bomb Downtown, Dakar's homage to acid house Milking The Cash Cow, Matchbox's Sommerpferchen or Djuma Soundsystem's beautifully atmospheric Small Fries, but I won't… I'll let you find out about them yourselves. Who needs the gym when Get Physical's Full Body Workouts are as good as this?
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Artists: Various Artists Tracklist - CD
Tracklist - Vinyl
For full details check out www.physical-music.com |
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