Back in the 1980s, we kids used to make cassette mixtapes for a couple of reasons: first, and most importantly, to flirt with the objects of our romantic desire. Second, to show off our musical sophistication -- nothing says "I'm hip" like having a piece of vegetarian propaganda by Flux of Pink Indians segue into an album track from Altered Images. With the Tapes series, the !K7 label seeks to revive the mixtape tradition, inviting artists as varied as the Rapture and Big Pink to put together programs with that approach in mind -- not to make a typical DJ mix, but to compile a track list as if it were intended for the two sides of a cassette tape. Foals' entry in the series succeeds at creating the old-school mood, but does so in a distinctly 21st century, not to say postmodern style. On "Side A" (the more song-oriented half of the program), you'll hear a track drawn from an obscure South African pop music compilation, the Gatto Fritto remix of Jr Seaton's "Way Savvy," and seemingly random entries from Blood Orange, Afro-pop drummer Tony Allen, and a lovely funk-soul number from Zap Mama leader Marie Daulne. Side B focuses more on house- and techno-based dance music and electronica, and features contributions from the likes of Caribou, Sepalcure, and the Congotronics crew Konono No. 1. The album ends on a blissfully uplifting note, with the Gospel Comforters' version of "Yes God Is Real." It all adds up to an exhilarating and at times revelatory mash-up of wildly varied flavors, like a really excellent fruit salad.
© Rick Anderson /TiVo