House Music Meets the New Millennium

By Nick Dang

Compiled and Mixed by Satoshi Tomiie & Hector Romero
Undulation 1
[Saw Recordings, Oct. 2003]

A word to the wise: DJs Satoshi Tomiie and Hector Romero's latest electronic offering, an in-the-mix compilation on Saw Recordings called "Undulation 1", is not for the commercially inclined dance music fan. In this DJ mix, the New York City duo forgo the sweepingly melodic conventions of cheesy trance music in place of a driving progressive-house record that is as enveloping as it is avant garde. Compiled and mixed by the label bosses themselves, "Undulation" is a showcase of Saw Recordings' most crowning releases and a testament to their consistent quality.

Launched in 2001 by New York-based, Japan native, Tomiie, the label has since been an up and coming force in the world of underground house music. Legendary British DJ, John Digweed, featured four of Saw's tracks in his recent "Global Underground: Los Angeles" compilation, giving Saw and Tomiie a huge lift out of relative obscurity. Not that Tomiie needed the help. His first original production album, "Full Lick", was already generating huge buzz throughout the dance scene. Since Saw's launch, Tomiie's DJ career has been a blur of rave reviews, globe-trotting, and party hopping. In 2002, Tommie released his own Global Underground mix-CD, "Nubreed 6," marking the first appearance by an Asian DJ on the renowned record label. Past Global Underground alumni include Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, and as noted, John Digweed.

Tomiie is joined on "Undulation" by label manager, and DJ pioneer, Hector Romero. A DJ for the last twenty-years, Romero is a New York City icon and has played at such hot spots as Pacha in Ibiza, Crobar in Miami, and the Roxy in New York. On Undulation, he brings his years of experience on the decks in helping to mix a refreshingly unique dance compilation.

The CD opens with a haunting tech-house number from progressive mainstays Medway and Sean Cusick, called "Sketch." Featuring moody, ambient synths over a deep, driving beat, the track conjures images of ancient Arabia in drawing listeners into the 67 minute mix. Tomiie and Romero follow with a heavy, progressive trance track called "Rumble Funk/Paranoize," a chilling trip into the deeper trenches of melodic house music that will hypnotize. The duo then change up the mood with a production by Italian dance outfit Missy Zeze & Presslaboys, called "EFX." Call it pure, electro-inspired future-funk.

Next, Tommie and Romero offer up a pumping, psychedelic trip with Cass's "Kenjin," featuring an unstoppably groovy hook dovetailed with thumping kicks, and an array of enveloping sound effects. The mix then progresses into a dark and heavy tribal affair with such tracks as "Tribes of Khan Gala" and multiples remixes of Lexicon Avenue's "Why R U Here?" Tommie and Romero wrap up the CD with Tommie's own original production, "Scandal in New York," a twisted and schizophrenic peak, clubbing hours track, along with Rob Rives' "Let Yourself Go," and a light, vocal, tech-house joint called "Cure," from the Echomen. All twelve tracks are mixed seamlessly, delivering an orgy of electronic beats.

With "Undulation," Tomiie and Romero succeed in pushing the sounds of the underground with their dark and driving brand of house music. But be forewarned: this record will not sit well with fans of "hands-in-the-air," anthemic, bubble-gum trance; no rolling bass lines and cheesy vocal performances here. Adventurous music aficionados, on the other hand, are encouraged to nab this seamless, musical tapestry for the digital age.

satoshitomiie.com
sawrecordings.com
globalunderground.co.uk

December 12, 2003