Carl's first project for React records is a whopper.
"I hope when you press play you will feel a complete sense of elation," says Craig and this double CD (or four LP) package delivers what it sets out to accomplish.
Packed full of exclusive and unreleased tracks, the album is mixed live in Carl's own inimitable style, full of emotion and warmth, as well as technical brilliance.
He pays detailed attention to the sonic interplay within the music, highlighting the finer points, achieving a purity that few DJs manage to reach and avoiding the clinical atmosphere that infiltrates many techno sets.
Rather than a slow build-up, Carl kicks right in, then lets the music pour out.
The first CD romps through hard-hitting material that aims straight for the dancefloor.
He maintains a fine balance of edgy punch and melodic flow throughout the mix.
Magnat's wistfully atmospheric 'The Saga' sighs, then releases into the tough rhythms of the exclusive Tres Demented's 'Funkin' The Drums', before launching into the percussive minimalism of Anthony Shakir's 'Sunrise'.
It's all absolutely seamless as the beats shift into the quirky electronic wizardry of Carl's own mix of Todd Sines and Natacha Bell's 'Come Closer', finishing with Natacha's breathy vocals. Other exclusive tracks in this mix include Recloose 'Ain't Changin'' and Carl's re-working of Jah Wobble and Bill Laswell's 'Alsema Dub'.
He chooses his material carefully so that it demonstrates his versatility as a DJ.
The second CD maintains a more soulful and uplifting vibe. The beats shift gently, and the mix is punctuated with vocal tracks, like Nuwalker's 'Between Good and Better'.
Carl draws his inspiration here from jazz and soul, and fuses it with laid-back percussive rhythms.
Lovely vibes and double bass float through tracks from Bugge Wesseltoft and Niko Marks. The feel is euphoric, even on deeper, more bass-driven tracks like Urban Culture's 'Wonders Of Wishing'.
There are plenty of peak moments, and these are skillfully balanced with relaxed valleys. Although the mix is done live, it is totally polished. Carl fires it with feeling and lets the passion shine through. This workout will leave you breathless.
