Sound Design, Vol. 1

Amazon.com
In the world of dance music, "West Coast" often translates to throw-your-glow-sticks-in-the-air epic trance. Thanks to Los Angeles DJ Marques Wyatt, that's beginning to change. Wyatt has spent the better part of the last 14 years spinning, booking, and evangelizing the soulful, house sounds that are normally relegated to clubs in Chicago and New York. Educated in the school of Frankie Knuckles house music, Wyatt favors uplifting, lyrical numbers. Sound Design shows Wyatt expanding his reach to other branches of the house-music tree. If you're coming to this CD expecting all divas all the time, think again--this mix is all over the map. Wyatt starts things off in familiar territory, with the heavily rotated club hit "Ain't No Runnin' Away," with diva Paula Ralph at the helm. After a Latin jazz remix of Little Louie Vega's "Elements of Life," Wyatt throws a curveball with Isolee's Beau Mot Plage. Lo-fi and even a bit noodly, this track is sure to have his house disciples scratching their heads. Recovering nicely from this passage into geekier realms, Wyatt brings everything back to the warm, soft center for which he is known best with a mellow groove from Saudacao Aos Orixas. Hats off to Marques Wyatt, one of house music's bravest crusaders, for this brave yet party-friendly outing. --Courtney Reimer

Tracks:

Ain't No Runnin' Away - Paula Ralph
Soul On Your Shoes - Eric K.J. Wesenberg
Let It Ride (Original Mix) - Marcus Begg
Elements Of Life (Latin Jazz Dub) - 'Little Louie' Vega
Beau Mot Plage (Freeform Reform Parts 1 & 2) - Isolee
Orixas - Saudacao Aos Orixas
True House (Eddie's Spirit Filled Beat Down Mix) - C & M Productions
Her Song - MKL Vs. Soy Sos
Passages - Tony Watson
Happiness (Soul Dharma Remix) - Sylk 130
Departure Lounge #2 - Departure Lounge
Blackbone Roots - Tedd Patterson
Love And Tears (Soul Creatures - Reworked Live Mix) - Aquarian Dream
Stereo (Glocal Communication Remix) - Stereo People

Amazon.com

In the world of dance music, "West Coast" often translates to throw-your-glow-sticks-in-the-air epic trance. Thanks to Los Angeles DJ Marques Wyatt, that's beginning to change. Wyatt has spent the better part of the last 14 years spinning, booking, and evangelizing the soulful, house sounds that are normally relegated to clubs in Chicago and New York. Educated in the school of Frankie Knuckles house music, Wyatt favors uplifting, lyrical numbers. Sound Design shows Wyatt expanding his reach to other branches of the house-music tree. If you're coming to this CD expecting all divas all the time, think again--this mix is all over the map. Wyatt starts things off in familiar territory, with the heavily rotated club hit "Ain't No Runnin' Away," with diva Paula Ralph at the helm. After a Latin jazz remix of Little Louie Vega's "Elements of Life," Wyatt throws a curveball with Isolee's Beau Mot Plage. Lo-fi and even a bit noodly, this track is sure to have his house disciples scratching their heads. Recovering nicely from this passage into geekier realms, Wyatt brings everything back to the warm, soft center for which he is known best with a mellow groove from Saudacao Aos Orixas. Hats off to Marques Wyatt, one of house music's bravest crusaders, for this brave yet party-friendly outing. --Courtney Reimer

Customer Reviews:

Don't believe the hype........2007-03-14

Over rated CD, nothing great here, deserve 3 stars max for this album.

My favorite Marques Wyatt cd... from a seasoned nyc house head........2007-02-11

This cd captures an alive and colorful time in House Music. It's timeless, soulful and FUN to listen/dance to. I recommend his 'For those who like to get down' cd also. It picks up where this cd leaves off. PAZ!

Best house album ever............................................2004-11-06

If you want the same old love gone bad diva with a one word name disco cheese dodo, don't buy this album. It kicks from beginning 'till the end with real music done house style. To the folks who who can't figure it out, I don't know what to say...........

What Are People Talking About?.......2002-07-08

I've been reading the below reviews from people who have dismissed this house CD as being too eclectic and not a consistent mix of grooves. This is really a CD you don't want to review until you've listened to it at least twice. Does Wyatt's "Sound Design" stray off course slightly with grooves that may be "out there?" Yes, but I'd rather have a DJ challenge me with something new than a DJ that remains in their comfort zone without breaking new ground. "Sound Design," despite this minor concern, is an overall seamless mix of standard soulful vocal house, Latin influences, jazz vibes, and a few instrumentals, and the whole thing works well. While the disc isn't flawless, it certainly doesn't deserve the cool reception some people give it. It's a well-above-average disc that's a welcome addition to my collection of dance music.

Ehhh..........2002-05-03

Started out good, sounded like it was going right, only to find out it makes a left, then veers slightly to either side, then... I don't know... I guess the "Does Your Mama Know" crowd knows better than I, oh well.