Making a decent acid jazz/funk track is one thing, making a whole album of the stuff is quite the other. Many acts over the years have tried and failed to create the perfect party album. In order to get it right you need plenty of big tunes, really big tunes. Danny Massure's debut album release on Spring Strut, "What It Is" has some massive tunes.

1. Sweet Miss Rae
2. Mama Didn't Lie
3. Four Wheel Slide
4. Rewind
5. Corkscrew
6. Como Voce (inst.)
7. Hotchacha
8. Tell Your Boss
9. Rock the Afro
10. Sunbreak
11. Soledad
12. Hotchacha (Valique remix)
13. Soledad (Ben Dean remix)

Both "Rewind" and "Hotchacha" have already been released as singles and frankly, no self respecting DJ should be without these two beauties. The Valique remix of "Hotchaha" is also included in here too and is essential listening.

The Seattle-based DJ, programmer and all-round mastermind has some equally powerful grooves buried on this CD. "Mama Didn't Lie" could be the biggest song on this release. It's damn funky and as catchy as hell. "Rock The Afro" is a serious contender for the dance hall killer track of the year and is so funky, it hurts.

But watch out for some of the slower, more Latinesque tracks. Songs like "Sunbreak" and "Four Wheel Slide" have a more soulful vibe. There's also time for some serious Hammond with "Sweet Miss Rae" recreating the glory days of JTQ and the Brand New Heavies.

If you are serious about funky, jazzy grooves, Danny Massure's work has to be on your wishlist.

~ Jamie Hailstone

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Please note that the release date shown is tentative

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