Now in their sixth year of Secretsundaze, their reputation as the leading ‘destination club’ has seen them on the move around town from 93 Feet East to Lovebox and the recent TDK Cross Central.

This 2CD compilaton is totally different in character to Shir Khan’s Maximize! as it’s far smoother (like a sundae) but just as tasty.

Now I know I get some jibes about the relevance of house/techno here on Fly, but from the very start of the Giles Smith CD, with the “sublime and idyllic” Monne Automne’s ‘Automne’, you know this music comes from the roots of the tribal drum. OK, by the end it’s got all big house with the legendary Larry Heard, but it’s a great selection.

Probably more the better for being mixed at home in his bedroom using mostly vinyl, there’s a classic from Ian Pooley and a bit of X-Press 2 (Beedle, Rocky & Diesel) fiddling with ‘Love And Happiness’; but not in the typical altogether now join in with India as loud as you can, “LOVE AND HAPPINESS”.

Priestly’s CD certainly starts off with more of an outdoor feel with a Afro-dubby ‘Piece Together’ by Reverso 68 and smell that sea air with Todd Terje’s Beach House mix of ‘Life’s A Beach’. Best of the lot is Priestly’s dub remix of Kissogram’s ‘My Friend Is A Seahorse’ with his production partner Dan Berkson; he also includes their own track, ‘Chariots’ before he ends up on Secretsundaze favourite, Doctor’s Cat!

Also listen out for a old favourite Franck Roger, Sonar Kollecktiv’s Future Beat Investigators, a Greg Wilson edit of a Yello (remember them?) and Henrik Schwarz getting deep into Alton Miller via Deeper Soul Recordings.

The CD comes out the day after their last SS party of the year on the Terrace at Canvas (30th September) with Steve Bug (Poker Flat) and a live performance by Sten (Dial). I couldn’t wait that long so I went the extra mile to catch Giles at CK Family this week. Sods law meant I just missed his set but, even so, thanks to Diego CK for a bangin’ closing session; definitely one for the hedonists that one.

Whether you’ve been to Secretsundaze or not, you’ll want to get this CD and the limited vinyl release of ‘My Friend is a Seahorse’ (I am told October 8th for that one).

Reviewed: Various - Secretsundaze : Volume 1 (Giles Smith & James Priestly) (Secretsundaze) Cat. No. SSCD001 Release date: 1st October 2007

Links:
www.secretsundaze.net
www.myspace.com/secretsundaze
www.myspace.com/gilessmithmusic
www.myspace.com/jamespriestley
www.canvaslondon.net “This is a unique outdoor terrace space which is being developed particularly for 4 exclusive secretsundaze parties this summer. The existing terrace will be hugely expanded and decorated in true secretsundaze style”.
CK Family in “Deesfactory”: Enzo Tedesky, MB, Giles Smith (Secretsundaze), Diego CK 1am — 9am Factory Club, 65 Goding Street, SE11 5AW £ 4 before 3:00 am, £ 6 later
(more without flyer) www.ckfamily.co.uk
“Lazy daze of summer” www.metro.co.uk Thursday, August 30
TDK Cross Central — August 25/26 York Way, N1 Sat. Ben Watt, Mr Scruff (8 hour set) Sun: Secretsundaze (Tobi Neumann), Need2Soul (Theo Parrish), Club Azuli (Tiefschwarz) [2007: the last on this site due to Kings Cross redevelopment]
www.myspace.com/crosscentral