Search - Masters at Work :: Masters at Work Part two 1996-2000

Solid gold!!!

Rafael Cova | Caracas, Venezuela | 01/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"MATERS AT WORK: The Tenth Anniversary Collection
PART ONE: 1990-1995 (4 cd's) `silver box'
PART TWO: 1996-2000 (4 cd's) `gold box'
The Definitive Remixes and Original Productions.If you love the "Sweet-House" you must have this collection. It's a "PRECIOUS" work. This box is a treasure that I keep in my heart and my ears too. Solid gold. Sober gold and silver finishes for a collection of gems with the stamp of two heavyweights of New York's house scene: Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez and 'Little' Louie Vega, i.e. Masters At Work. Two lusciously presented box sets, which each contain jewels for the enjoyment of modern music lovers. In this exhaustive tenth anniversary recompilation a large part of their work is brought together, both their own compositions and their remixes 'to order'. The first box features their work under the alias Nuyorican Soul, one of the outstanding examples of the fusion of jazz, Latin sounds and House, with classics such as 'The Nervous Track'. With regard to their work as remixers, the list of artists favoured with the MAW touch has no end. Highlights include their reworks for Daft Punk, Chic, Roni Size Reprazent, Karen Ramirez, Ultra Nate, Jerald Daemyon, Tony Touch, Mel B. and many more... Real House, Latin Style, Jazz and other delights. The amazing track "Dancing in Outer space - Atmosfear" it's a great remix and the beautiful "Runaway - Nuyorican Soul feat. India" and "MAW Expensive - Masters At Work" is incredible the most excellent track. This collection (Part One & Part Two) contains the essential house music that makes you relax and dance. Masters At Work are "SOLID GOLD".The Masters also deserve to be compared with Larry Levan, the most influential dance music practitioner of the eighties. Vega's four-and-a-half year residency at the Sound Factory Bar provided the dance music underground with a crucial lifeline given that the Shelter was about to close and Body & Soul had yet to open. And in terms of remixing and production, MAW's efforts in the nineties have surpassed those of Levan in the eighties. Like Levan, they have survived the cutthroat climate of the studio for a long ten years. Like Levan, they have moved from the world of remixing to the universe of production. And like Levan, they have revolutionized the way people listen to music, introducing a series of sounds that have become so entrenched in the dance psyche that it's hard to remember that night-world didn't always sound like this.Most importantly, 'Little Louie 'Vega and Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez have maintained an elaborate and unswerving eclecticism at the heart of their work. As with Levan, this hybridity has nothing in common with the superficial skimming of multicultural tourists, whose level of engagement begins and ends with the casual flick of a download button. No, MAW's diversity is grounded in a set of serious musical roots, and it has evolved in conjunction with the kaleidoscopic populations of New York's night network. The Loft, The Gallery, The Paradise Garage, The Shelter, The Sound Factory Bar, Body & Soul and Dance Ritual lie at the heart of this practice, and, more than any other remixing and production team, Masters at Work have provided this creative cultural community with a relentlessly varied soundtrack. Kenny and Louie have demonstrated that we can still dance together, even if today's increasingly factional market demands otherwise, and the wonderful music on this compilation embodies that vision. The first ten years have been `extra`MAW'dinary', and we look forward to the next ten with huge anticipation."

Will last

Sagan Lazar | In yo monitor | 05/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are many fine compilations out there that are a pleasure to listen to. But there aren't many that will stand the test of time. This is one that will. This collection testifies to the mystery of ART and artworks whose life-span is determined by the aura of that which has no name. Some call it 'orginality'. Some call it 'authenticity'. Some call it 'a voice'. Whatever. Kenny and Lil Louie must love, I mean LOVE, what they do to a level not matched by others in the business. The collection packaged here is more than a sampler of what-has-been. In their inimitable way, K and L have bent time to bring back that which never left. Who'd have thunk of doing a George Benson to House without any of that trademark Housebeat, nice tho' that is, and still make great Housemuzik? It is the mark of a great artist, made great by the love he has for his medium, to throw in the unexpected and make it sound like it was the most natural thing in the world. (It is only the lesser ones who are obsessed with "experimentation" and end up botching what would have been a passably palatable product.) It is somewhat ironic that the art that is most democratic in form and appeal should be given an aspect of perfection by two artists who are so thoroughly ARISTOCRATIC in taste. Taste is, in the end, everything."

Pure house!

S. Johansen | Norway | 04/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who hasnt experienced these two puerto ricans.. you are making a big mistake. MAW consists of Little Louie Vega and Kenny"dope"Gonzales. For the house genre, MAW has ment alot, and they have kept The "nostalgic" house alive by remixing pop and other house music to their and our deliberate taste. They have worked with many many artist from the old times like George Benson and the great timbal percussionist Tito puente (R.I.P) and many others. People who has house genre as fave should not miss MAW. theire essential for house! These cd`s delivers pure nostalgic house. By listening to it, it reminds you of the old era of soul music, with new generation music like daft punk, mel-B and Eternal. It also contain lots of music from Little Louie`s own Nyorican Soul project that some of you may have bumped in to. so this is pure house running with rythmic elements of acoustic sound. House lover must fetch this essential reproduction and remixes. Its allready a milestone for my world of music! Its MAW, and its The best house ever remixed! All respect to little louie and Kenny Dope. you take house seriously and make it real!"