When he started, he was known as Diplodocus and was DJ Shadow inspired like the Epistemology Suite that was released on Big Dada in 2003. After that, Wes Pentz morphed into Diplo and even though he’s from Philadelphia, summer 2004 saw the release of his Florida album. And ever since, the musical sun has not stopped shining on him.

No surprise that tracks featured on Well Deep: Ten Years Of Big Dada Recordings compilation but since his success with Florida he seems to have been concentrating on his DJing and remixing career. Decent Work For Decent Pay is made up of loads of the best works by Diplo as he mashes up countless dancefloor trends from all over the place (with a particular affection for Brazilian influences).

Starting with classic tracks, out-takes from Florida and his production work on M.I.A’s huge record of last year ‘Paper Planes’ (the Diplo remix here, which is better than the original if you ask me). And it’s a track that probably saw Diplo, Switch & M.I.A get the Gilles Peterson Radio 1 Takeover gig late last year.

It’s all excellent and stand out tracks seem to change on each listen but always good is Kano’s ‘Reload It’ that’s still sounding fresh along with Spank Rock, Bloc Party and ‘Solta O Frango’ from Bonde Do Role’s first album for Domino, With Lasers.

Talking of Brazil, CSS’s ‘Lets Make Love..’ seems to have dated very quickly but of the four Diplo originals included, ‘Way More Brazil’ is the best whilst I’m not keen on ‘Smash A Kangaroo’ (even if its Australia Day soon).

Good to see he doesn’t stick to the obvious as I’ve not heard his Black Lips, Samim or Claude Von Stroke’s remixes before. That’s because he’s so productive! The only moan is where are our old favourite Dilpo remixes? Daedelus’ ‘Sundown’ or Roots Manuva’s ‘Seat Yourself’ or TTC’s ‘De Pauvres Riches’? No doubt these will turn up on future releases as Vol 2 is sure to follow.

And just to keep you going, also included are mp3 files of the individual tunes recorded for the ‘Diplo Rhythm’, the Johnny Blaze remix of ‘Way More’, the video for ‘Percao’ and Diplo’s remix of Spoon’s ‘Don’t You Evah’.

Diplo spent last NYE DJing with Jesse Rose (he of Hot Chip’s Joe’s best mate, see Forget My Name EP) - possibly another remix for Diplo then? So whether he is on tour or at his club night, Hollertronix, in the studio remixing or on his own production, Diplo is now a major global music player and Decent Work For Decent Pay proves it. Next up, an album with Switch - can’t wait.

Reviewed: V/A - Decent Work For Decent Pay: Selected Works Volume 1 (Big Dada) Cat. No. Release date: 26th January, 2009
Tracklisting
1. Diplo feat. Sandra Melody - Newsflash (3:03)
2. M.I.A. - Paper Planes (Diplo Remix) (3:24)
3. Spank Rock - Put That Pussy On Me (Diplo Tonite Remix) (3:42)
4. Kano - Reload It (3:47)
5. Diplo - 200 (2:25)
6. Bloc Party - Where Is Home? (Diplo Remix) (6:26)
7. C.S.S. - Lets Make Love….. (Diplo Remix) (4:16)
8. Bonde do Role - Solta O Frango (2:16)
9. Samim - Heater (Diplo Extended Edit) (4:31)
10. Hot Chip - Shake A Fist (Diplo Remix) (4:05)
11. Diplo - Way More Brazil (3:20)
12. Black Lips - Veni Vidi Vici (Diplo Remix) (3:42)
13. Claude Von Stroke - The Whistlerz (Diplo Remix) (4:17)
14. Diplo - Smash a Kangaroo (3:27)
15. Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (Diplo Youngest Folks Remix) (6:08)

Links
www.formdiplo.com
www.bigdada.com
www.myspace.com/diplo
www.bigdada.com
Gilles Peterson :: 11th September 2008 :: Diplo, Switch & M.I.A Takeover
Don’t forget Diplo Remix of Sundown (mush) as can be heard on RBMA’s Fireside Chat