Ed Banger's "Ed Rec. Vol III" Bangs Hard

The third Ed Banger Records Compilation, "Ed Rec, Vol. III" has finally arrived, and it has been worth the wait. This is the most consistent of the three albums in this series. Overall, every artist on the label has contributed a track that shows a marked progression in their style or at least an improvement of their previously established skills.

After an introduction by Mr. Oizo, the album kicks off with the most hip hop influenced track from Busy P yet. It is a narrative featuring Murs, in which Busy P introduces the guest rapper to the L.A. dance club scene. Mr. Flash follows with an over the top ballad only fit for the most intense training montage from an 80's film. Sebastian's track, "Dog", comes next and may be one of the only low points in the album. This progressive DJ has pushed his rock-based sampling so far that this track sounds a lot like a thrashing metal song. It is the most hardcore track to come out of Ed Banger Records thus far. Uffie follows with a track in which she not only doesn't talk trash the whole time, but goes as far as to sing for the first third of the song. Justice provides a live version of "Stress" in which they deconstruct the song into its elements and build it back up for a dramatic finale. This is followed by Mr. Oizo's "Minuteman's Pulse." It is the smoothest and most club appropriate track to come from this highly experimental DJ. It may allow him to emerge to a more mainstream audience.

DJ Mehdi's "Pocket Piano" sounds very similar to his previous work, and is frankly a little repetitive and could use a bigger build up over the course of the track. This is followed by the best Krazy Baldhead track I've ever heard. His skills have progressed a lot over the last year or two, and he shows it off with crazy cut-up beats and vocals. Ed Banger newcomers, D.S.L. provide a French hip hop track with an English refrain that is extremely poppy and catchy. Feadz teams up with Spank Rock for his fastest and most hip hop oriented track to date. The compilation concludes with a track from new artist, So Me. With a head-banging beat and distorted synth, these newcomers provide a track in the classic style of Ed Banger records.

Overall this new compilation is amazing, and it really shows that Ed Banger Records is growing, changing, and innovating. Almost all of the artists on the label have picked up new influences including hip hop and metal and have improved both their musical skill as well as song writing capabilities. This is a must have album for electronic music fans.

Labels: ed banger records, ed rec, review, vol. iii

posted by John @ 4:14 PM