The Stanton Sessions Vol. 3

by Rick Anderson Pioneers of the nu skool breaks genre and still going strong, Bristol-based Dominic Butler and Mark Yardley are back with a third volume in their Stanton Sessions series (named after their regular event at London's Fabric club). The program is a nice blend of the familiar (Plump DJs, DJ Icey, Chemical Brothers, Too Short) and the somewhat more obscure (Chromeo, Tony Senghores, D-Lirium). Butler and Yardley show particular affection for offbeat hip-hop: cheeky rappers Yo Majesty open the album with the brilliant "Stanton Warriors Remix" of "Club Action," then quickly cede the stage to the equally impressive Plump DJs (who also team up with Basement Jaxx later in the program). But the finest moment comes courtesy of DJ Deekline and Ed Solo with the utterly stoopid "Handz Up!," a content-free party anthem that delivers its complete lack of intellectual content over an irresistibly complex and layered beat. Part of what makes this track so effective is the fact that it contrasts so nicely with the gospel-ish harmonies of Stanton Warriors' own "Blaze" and the swinging R&B lovers rock of Timebox's "Beggin'." Things bog down just a bit toward the end, but never enough to really dampen the deliriously funky mood. Excellent.