Musical Alternatives

X- Press 2 release an outstanding double album of classics on October 11th.
X -Press 2 bring you what they consider to be their all time classic
tracks, The influences here are what created the DJ's, the DJ's themselves
have created these classics. Each member of X - Press 2 will be doing an
exclusive edit of their favourite tracks. Ashley Beadle will do an edit of
James Brown "there was a time"; the others will be announced around the
release date. The edits will be released on ltd edition one sided 12' and
the Choice CD.

X - Press 2 are the first non-American DJ's to be asked to compile the
compilation, previous compilers include the legendary Louie Vega, Danny
Tenaglia,Jeff Mills, Frankie Knuckles, Francois Kevorkian, and Derrick L.
Carter.

X-Press 2 first burst onto the international club scene in 1993 with the
demented sirens, typewriter-noise percussion and dance floor pyrotechnics
of 'Muzik Express'. The three DJs, Ashley Beedle, Rocky and Diesel all
from unfashionable suburbs of London, had each played leading roles in the
capital's cooler, more influential club scenes.

Their first studio session left them cold - they'd intended to sample an
old Cloud One track but that typewriter percussion noise was all that
survived. Everyone else disagreed. 'Muzik X-Press ' was an instant world-
wide club hit. DJs as influential as Pete Tong and New York's Junior
Vasquez - then in his Sound Factory prime - loved it. Clubbers around the
world declared it an instant anthem. Its follow up, the juddering, funky
London X-Press with its exhortation to "raise your hands!" was just as
monstrously successful, it was the daft dancefloor smash, 'Say What', that
came next. When their records began to get, as Ashley puts it, "more
oblique", the three were content to put X-Press 2 aside and move onto other
projects, and the three moved effortlessly into jazzier, funkier, more
downbeat arenas with their internationally respected Ballistic Brothers
team-up.

In April of 2000 X-Press 2 found themselves back together on the road and
in the studio. In 2001 they released the mighty AC/DC. The boys were back
in town. Into 2002 the singles Muzikizum and Lazy (more on that later)
followed before the lads dropped their debut album also titled Muzikizum,
the album was critically acclaimed and charted at number 15 in the national
charts. A massive success.

Lazy was a track that perfectly summed up the mood of the nation. Released
in April 2002 and charting at number 2 in the national. It became the
biggest airplay track of the year and won them the coverted Ivor Novello
award."I had contacted Beedle and co some five years ago after hearing
Ballistic Brothers, whom I loved," says Byrne, who offered them a slot on
his European tour, thinking they were a live band. He's glad the
collaboration finally happened. "I loved the contradiction of a pumping
dance track that is called Lazy".

With there dazzling six deck DJ performances that used effects-ridden mic
performances from Ashley, CD-players and basic samplers to send crowds
wild. "We like a bit of a challenge and it certainly creates something of
a potent atmosphere", says Rocky. "Its like a jam, really, its not
rehearsed, we're inspired continually by the shenanigans on the
dancefloor". Whoever's playing the tune coming out the speakers, the other
two can cut in effects, beats, and acappellas. It becomes like a wall of
sound."

CD1

James Brown - There Was A Time Jellybean - Spillin The Beans (Les Bean Mix)
Incognito - Jacobs Ladder - Maw Nu Yorican Dub Patti Smith - Piss Factory
Quartz - Beyond The Clouds The Cure - Pictures Of You (Strange Remix) Elkin
And Nelson - Jibaro (Enrolle Long Version) Jean Luc Ponty - In The Fast
Lane David Byrne - Big Business David Astri - Dancing Digits Jine - Take It
To The House Eric And The Good Good Feeling - Higer Than Heaven

CD2

Hi Voltage - Lets Get Horny Open House Feat Placid Angels - Aquatic Pacific
Blue - You Gotta Dance Brian Briggs - Aeo Parts 1 And 2 Art Of Noise -
Beatbox Div 1 Malcolm Mc Claren - First Couple Out Natural Experience -
Dont Leave Me Carl Craig - At Les The Rolling Stones - Too Much Blood
Voices Of East Harlem - Cashing In Badder Than Evil - Hot Wheels The Specials - A Message To You Rudy

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