HinweiseRemix albums are always a hit & miss bunch, because the songs require you to like the original artists' work and the reinterpretations by the mixer. Well hey, this is no different, with equal amounts of inspired pieces, take it or leave it tunes, and scramble for the skip button music. With Kid Loco, you get his hazy slow beats meets natural percussion sound (think instrumental hip hop for the prairie) on twelve different artists. Let's take the first track by The Pastels, "The Viaduct," for example; no amount of swirls, effects, and smooth drums can overcome the fact that this is the worst singer I've ever heard. You have a family or friend with a better voice than this. Skipping to track two you get a fine if somewhat bland instrumental by Uriel, then a stronger performance on "4-35 in the Morning," with St. Etienne's sweet-not cloying vocals met with Loco's downbeat Western backing. Highpoints are tracks by Talvin Singh and Badmarsh+Shri, their Eastern influences melding nicely with Kid Loco's style. Curious filler pops up in the French narrative "La Chambre" by Kat Onoma, but at least its listenable; Pulp's track is not. The CD ends with a series of instrumentals that would have been better off interspersed between the vocal tracks. Those looking to try Kid Loco's work should stick with his DJ Kicks album. Otherwise, get this if you don't mind a portion of tracks disagreeing with you. It's still better than most pop drek out there. Finally, be aware that the America n album release has a different cover; those buyers wanting nude women should look for the French import, with a layout that pays tribute to Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland.
Richard Diaz
www.amazon.com