The twisted jean soundtrackers of
Pepe Deluxe announced their move to England's leading proponent of demented hip-hop in a typically subversive fashion -- their debut single for Catskills taking the form of a one-sided, dinked stereo 7" accompanied by some interesting artwork, a slice of spiced meat, and a ransom note. The first album to result from this new deal follows on from the menacing blend of wah-wah turntablism, rock power guitars, and coughed-up beats of the aforementioned "Salami Fever," with an irresistible selection of flavors from dance music's deli counter. "Are you ready to move out in style?" asks "Just Let Go," the scratchadelic opening premise, but their sophomore album is far more than an extension of the deck trickery and round-edged chill that defined their debut, Super Sound. This time around, the Finnish duo enlists the assistance of close to 40 musicians from around the world, stitching these sessions together in a genre-trouncing masterpiece that flirts with everything from '60s rock chic to cheeky electronica and modern classical. ~ Kingsley Marshall