Danny Tenaglia
Back To Basics
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Danny Tenaglia
Back To Basics
System, 2002
RiYL: Larry Levan, Sasha, Carl Cox, Timo Maas |
The title Back To Basics comes from one of the most famous club nights in Leeds, England, that promoter/DJ Dave Beers has been putting on for several years now. The vibe sought at Basics is true hedonism for the educated clubber. It’s not for the glow stick-waving neophytes, but there also is no Prada and Dolce and Gabbana requirement at the door. Genuine people have the freedom to be however they feel, and patrons grace the dance floor with a true understanding of the music. Basics quickly became one of the top club nights in England, and Beers has always been discerning in his DJ choices, from Carl Cox, to Felix da Housecat, to Derrick Carter. Danny only played the night one time, but when the club decided to “brand” their own recordings, he was their first choice. The open airiness of his house sound is a perfect embodiment of a great night at the club.
Tenaglia starts out the recording with a very vocal-driven, uplifting soulful house sound. Immediately most listeners will feel at ease because the first track uses a vocal line from the soul classic “Goin’ Down” that Mary J. Blige re-made just a few years ago. “Do it Now” from Dubtribe Sound System slips into the mix and curls lips into a smile of contentment; it is the standout track on the CD. After a bit more of this straight-up house vibe, things begin to go a more progressive route, with fewer vocals and more rhythmic drive. The genius of it all is that the listener is not unceremoniously dumped into the new sound, because the tribal mid-range percussion from the original records continues. The entire progression is tied together.
On “Afro Groove/Afro Moog,” Tenaglia actually modifies a record that was originally released in the early '80s, by adding bass drum and synth effects to enhance the vocal. This modernizes the record slightly, and also gives it enough texture to fit perfectly in the mix with the newer records that surround it. Danny uses this “modification” approach on the harder-edged tracks that end Disc 1 as well. The technique separates him from other house DJs because he’s giving several records bits of his own distinct sound.
Tenaglia is really being himself on this disc, playing the different house styles that he is a master of and doing an excellent job capturing a dance-floor vibe on record. The Back To Basics feel is expertly manifested here, letting everyone on this side of the pond imagine what a night at the club might be like.
Isabelle Rajotte lends vocals to “ Stop Foolin Around,” an arresting track overlaid with aboriginal rhythms that starts off CD 2. This “world” sound has a nice effect of drawing the listener back in after the intermission. The pace continues to get intense quite quickly with the throaty bass growl of Breeder’s Carnival XIII, one of the best records of last year. A much more serious, progressive sound is being showcased on this disc, and such a quick start leaves Danny little room to elevate intensity. This causes several abrupt style changes from one mix to another, and breaks up the continuity of the mix. Tenaglia once again tries to show us several different aspects of the genre, but with trance and progressive this is much more difficult than with house. It is very important that this style be seamless in its mix, and have a clear buildup and direction throughout, similar to the plot structure of a good book. The listener should be taken on a journey, and although the record choices here are excellent, the “plot” is lost a few times due to the abrupt changes.
Danny is not a bad progressive DJ by any means, he just doesn’t construct a set as well in this format as he does with house music. Since progressive music is often more densely layered with different sounds, Tenaglia’s trademark “pre-producing” of the tracks cannot be utilized to enhance the music. Kudos to him for not giving the “second verse, same as the first” second disc that many DJs are feeding the public right now. Tenaglia tries to stretch out and explore a different tone, which helps keep the release fresh.
Danny Tenaglia is one of the few DJs who is over 40 and still carries out a full performing and producing schedule with great enthusiasm. The great thing about Danny’s age is that he experienced Paradise Garage when Larry Levan gave birth to NY house, and uses his club pedigree as an asset in his music making. He can take an 1980s release, modernize it a touch in his home studio to have a true retro vibe, follow it with a record someone handed him 2 days ago, and make it all work. Instantly, a signature sound is created, different styles mix more easily, and clubbers are getting a bit of “back to the future” experience in music. As good as he is at what he does, Teneglia is always taking chances by trying to excite a crowd about something he has found that is new and different. It may not always come off quite as well as his beloved house sound, but admirers come in droves because they are led around a corner to something previously unexperienced every time. This positions Danny Tenaglia as both “The DJ’s DJ,”and “The People's DJ.”
WILL MONROE |