The first Electro Swing album was a great compilation which introduced me to a fusion I had not heard before. Old school swing with a subtle shot of electronic music. I was especially taken by the french band Caravan Palace. Not just samples from old records with beats, but an actual swing band, with a DJ adding a tasty electro edge. A perfectly balanced mix of old and new...
There are some cheesy tracks or less subtle ones on the compilation too, but most tracks I find fresh and exciting.
The same goes for "Electro Swing 2." More of the same in a good way, which means more new innovative sounds and sophisticated dance grooves. Highlights include a remix of Ella Fitzgeralds "Air Mail Special," the hiphop style "Et De Clarinette" by Palov & Miskhin and Parov Stellars "Catgroove" which is as powerful as a solid house track, but with so much more depth and detail then the bulk of boring stuff that gets made for the dancefloor today.
That's exactly whats so appealing about Electro Swing. It has the kick ass beats of modern dance music. But instead of the fast food emptiness that characterises a lot of this music, the space is filled up with the cheerful energy and intelligent melodies of classic swing.
What a treat, after Balkan Beats this could well be the next big thing!
