Various Artists / Chris Read

In contrast to the many compilations of the rare or lesser heard to have emerged from the BBE stable, this release is all about shining a light on a contemporary sound that has been developing in its own small corner of the musical spectrum over the last decade or so. Compiler Chris Read takes up the story ‘I approach this compilation above all as a DJ. The musical journey that led me to the tracks featured here is not that of someone who grew up around Latin influenced music but that of a DJ and music fan who grew up listening to the early sample based music of the late 80s and early 90s, later exploring the many directions that music has travelled in. The music which appears on this compilation is the product of just one of those many avenues. The featured tracks come from a variety of sources but in many cases are theproduct of a generation of DJs and producers who similarly grew up listening to the sample rich hip hop, house and more of the 80s and 90s and have taken that influence and applied it to a particular sound, in this case the varied musical styles of the Latin diaspora. This is modern Latin music from a DJ / producer’s perspective – rhythm heavy, beat driven and infectious’ Chris Read, 2011 Featured tracks include Chris’ own “Disco Cumbia”, a summer hit in 2011 topping Fat City’s best sellers chart for all genres and formats over a 4 month period as well as an extended version of his Cumbia inspired dancefloor gem “Ritmos Colombianos”. Other featured artists include ambassador for a new generation of Latin inspired producers, Quantic with whom Chris shared various DJ residencies whilst living in the Midlands in the late 90s. Other notable tracks come courtesy Chris’ Breakin Bread label mates Color Climax, RSL who first performed at Chris’ Substance Live session a little less than 10 years ago and Wax Poetics affiliate DJ Monk One’s Greenwood Rhtythm Coalition. Also appearing are maveric beatsmith and man of the moment Oddisee, Push The Fader’s DJ Cent