Even if it opens with the loose and free-form
Innercity track “Prince of the Immortal Woods,” multi-instrumentalist
Ben Westbeech, aka
Breach, proceeds to offer some serious four-on-the-floor business on his edition of the
DJ Kicks series, filling the mix with edgy and/or slick house music. That may be a surprise for those who have always enjoyed the producer because he’s so darn diverse, but keeping the dancefloor in mind with all of his selections pays dividends here, as early numbers like
Wire People’s jazzy “Triangle Vision” and
Beesmunt Soundsystem’s funky and
Radiohead-y number “All Day” set the stage for the later, more slamming second half.
Cassio Kohl’s breathy and late night track “Broken” and
Redinho’s trippy computer wonderland called “Searching” lead the pack of post-half-time winners, plus there’s the
Dopplereffekt chestnut “Z-Boson,” which is included not just because it’s a great segue but because it warms the heart of any old-school house and techno fan. Smooth mix, great selections, and another fine entry in a series that rarely disappoints.