LTJ Bukem: Progression sessions 10 – Cd review

dj sheik-mon · Joined: Jan 06, 2005 Posts: 42 Location: NYC

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Well, I’m a big fan of Bukem and Conrad so I was really excited for this cd. It’s live in Germany and it was released about a month ago. This first thing I notice is that there is no opening tune. After introductions the mix cuts in midset, and midsong. To me a mix is like a good book, there should be some sort of opening and if you have the time some sort of closing. The track markers start when the second record starts playing, not when the actual mix occurs. I know many local Dj’s do the same thing to showcase their mixing I think that’s cool, but I don’t understand why LTJ did it this way.
For the most part the cd is tight. If you know LTJ that you know what to expect, hot tunes if you dig the good looking melodic, kinda liquid sound. His mixing to me has always been good yet somewhat boring. When he is on, he is on, but LTJ gets lazy a few times here.
Highlights for me include: Golden Girl by Mc Conrad and Makoto. Great tune, but it is unnecessary to hear Conrad mc over himself. Of course he calls for a rewind on his own tune…Lame... That’s another problem with this mix, too many rewinds. Maybe it works well live, but does the third track deserve a rewind on the mix? How about building the set up to the point that the crowd demands a rewind not just because it’s a hot tune…There are 3 rewinds on this cd which I find annoying.
MC Conrad is my favorite MC next to Armani, I think. I have always enjoyed his flow and lyrics but he is not at his best here. His timing is off once or twice and it is noticeable. His lyrics have also suffered as of late, I miss the days when he would be all like “backs up against the wall we set the pace, progression sessions 5 is live, drum and bass.”…. Nice…. He is still the man, just not as tight as in the past.
Other highlights include shootout by Ill logic and Raf. Cool tune. Also the mathematics vs. tactile tune ‘rub a dub’ is my favorite on the mix. Those guys are just fantastic, and mathematics will be rocking Direct Drive on the 26 the (cheap plug… Smile

).

If you like LTJ, you will likely dig this mix, but it’s a long way from the first 5 progression sessions, which in my opinion are fantastic. My biggest problem with this mix is that the flow that I usually associate with BUKEM is not there. Too many rewinds and no PROGESSION of tempo and intensity, which to me is essential. In the end, if you like BUKEM I do recommend this cd. Smile

Thank for reading this, I know it’s long.

_Dave
Dj Sheik-mon
www.electronicdiversity.com

mosc · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:34 pm Post subject:

Cool article, Dave. It's interesting to see your approach to music. Thanks...

Dichotomy · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: LTJ Bukem

I have Progression Sessions on CD and is one of the best albums he did. MC Konrad is ok, but I like the fact that there is an instramental version as well. Comes in handy when you dont want to hear any of it, thats for sure!

His stuff after PS changed drastically. He had one of his B-Day parties at a club in FL where I am from.

I didnt go, but a friend did (who's sister owns/ed the club and got to hang out with him afterwards for a while. Said he was very genuine.

I can't believe he performed PS in 2004. Oh well.

zynthetix · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:48 pm Post subject:

cool review. I don't listen to a lot of DJ's but from what I understand, LTJ is up at the top. I got to see LTJ a few years ago as an opening act. I had seen his name, but never heard his music before or since then. Are his albums good representations of his live acts, or should I expect a different beast coming from the studio?