CD Reviews

Roger Sanchez

Release Yourself, Vol. 5 | Stealth

By MICHAEL FREEDBERG | September 11, 2006

3.5 Stars

Sanchez’s latest DJ mix spotlights his house-music talents. Just like Steve Lawler, whose Lights Out 3 established him as one of house’s premier DJs, Sanchez steps to the front as a song selector and sonic visionary on this two-disc set. If DJ Heather stands alone as an updater of classic Chicago house, Sanchez is the master integrator of house subgenres. On the “pre-party” first CD, a loungy version of Klement Bonelli & Dragonfly’s steamy “Nocturnal” meets a garage-style “Life Ain’t Easy” by Wayne Martin featuring a bear-like bass vocal by Pete Hope and a percussive, deep beat track that deepens as the segue continues. The “Party” second CD goes in a different direction, several directions actually, as Sanchez keeps the scene, attitude, and expression changing, just as he would a real-life party. There’s the Cube Guys’ loungy “There’s a Woman,” tough, Danny Tenaglia–style, main-line groove (Kid Massive’s “Get Down” and Max Graham’s “Crank”), off-the-wall spoken accompaniment (Adrian Martin & Santiago’s “My Friend”), trance hits (Red Carpet’s “Alright”), sexy slut songs (Starkillers’ “Discoteka”), and a marvelous introductory warm-techno track (Tom De Neef’s “Adobe”). Best of all, the “Party” closes with John Creamer & Stephane K’s “Something To Lose” sung by the diva of the moment, Nadia Ali, in harmony with Rosko. Quite an amazing song and a perfect ending to this set, with its line “Do I look to you like something to lose, or am I just something to use?”

Related: Roger Sanchez: Release Yourself, House at home, Miss Nine, More

Topics: CD Reviews , Danny Tenaglia, Roger Sanchez

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