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Not according to Dean Driscoll (see links below) and I’d tend to agree with him on this one as you can cherry pick you’re way through this collection, either by favourite tracks (obviously ‘It’s The Beat’ and ‘Hustler’) or favourite remixers (Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve and Joakim).

But before that, I first came across James Ford in his former life as the “4th member” of the Test Icicles with the formative 7” ‘Boa Vs. Python’; who would have thought that it would be Ford (with James Shaw) that would get the big hit album? And by coincidence, Lightspeed Champion (aka Devonte Hynes, formerly DevMetal of Test Icicles and mixtape expert) was spotted in Soho record shops on Thursday in his distinctive head gear. Equally odd Simian Mobile Disco went on to tour supporting the Klaxons last year. I must admit that when I saw them at Southampton, I thought SMD stole the show with their phallic tower of hardware with knobs on plus dry ice as they equally appeal to the nu-raver techno heads and old acid ravers that are still able to go out.

Anyway, back to Sample And Hold, and talking of rave, one of the best tracks is the Oscillation remix of ‘Tits And Acid’ which is not surprising for anyone Out Of Phase. We last came across Joakim on the Life Beyond Mars - Bowie Covered with his cover of ‘A New Career In A New Town’ and he does a fine job on ‘Hustler’ without being too adventurous. And you could say the same about ‘It’s The Beat’ and ‘Hotdog’ but the one I was looking forward to was ‘Love’ by Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve.

You’ll recall that Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve are Richard Norris (a founding member of The Grid) and Erol Alkan who did the brilliant remix Roscoe’s ‘Midlake’ (as found on LateNightTales : Groove Armada) and they don’t disappoint with a love-in bongo trip.

Others to look out for are Simon Baker’s ‘Sleep Deprivation’ and the Silver Apples. The mysterious Silver Apples are inspiration for SMD as they first made an underground name for themselves with “nine audio oscillators and eighty-six manual controls…The lead and rhythm oscillators are played with the hands, elbows and knees and the bass oscillators are played with the feet.” You get the idea and if you’re into experimental psychedelic rock (like Biggabush/Lightning Head), the remix of ‘Scott’ is worth getting this album alone. Also look out for reissues of Silver Apples (1968) and Contact (1969) albums on CD for the full experience.

I wonder why no remixes from label mates Conor Oberst or Bloc Party? Anyway, in this ipod age of cherry picking, this is a highly recommended mixed affair and a good warm-up for their This Is Not London night.

Reviewed: Simian Mobile Disco - Sample And Hold (Attack Decay Sustain Release Remixed) (Wichita) Cat. No. WEBB174CD Release date: July 2008
Tracklisting:
1 Sleep Deprivation (Simon Baker Remix) (10:18)
2 I Got This Down (Invisible Conga People Remix) (4:43)
3 It’s The Beat (Shit Robot Remix) (8:13)
4 Hustler (Joakim Remix) (8:03)
5 Tits And Acid (Oscillation Remix) (5:27)
6 I Believe (Pinch’s ‘I Believe In Bassline Therapy’ Remix) (5:09)
7 Hotdog (Cosmo Vitelli Remix) (7:08)
8 Wooden (Danton Eeprom Remix) (5:56)
9 Love (Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve Remix) (6:10)
10 Scott (Silver Apples Remix) (4:08)

Links
www.simianmobiledisco.co.uk
www.myspace.com/simianmobiledisco
www.wichita-recordings.com
www.myspace.com/beyondthewizardssleeve
www.myspace.com/simonbakerinfantrecords
www.silverapples.com
Loud And Quiet, Vol2, Issue 2. p28 Dean Driscoll “Remix albums are always a tricky proposition to pull off as an overall listenening experience, give the nature of such compilations the results are always bound to be - quite literally - a mixed affair”. www.loudandquiet.com
21.08.08 - Simian Mobile Disco curate ‘This Is Not London’ at O2 Arena
SMD have announced they’ll be curating one of the first shows at ‘Matter’ - the new venue at the O2 Arena. The night runs from 10pm-6am and the line up is as follows:
SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO (DJ SET), LINDSTROM (LIVE), DUSTY KID (LIVE), SHIT ROBOT (LIVE), EMPEROR MACHINE (LIVE), RITON, NADIA KSABIA, FOAMO, ADVENTURES CLOSE TO HOME & MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED For more details go to…www.matterlondon.com