This mix is, at once, the second volume in the mix series from Frankfurt's Robert Johnson club (though it isn't numbered as such), a follow-up to Thomas' double-disc Cosmo Galactic Prism mix, and the prelude to Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas II, released later the same month. For anyone remotely familiar with Thomas as a DJ, the set won't surprise -- at least not in one respect -- as it's a smooth synthesis of spaced-out tracks with mostly relaxed tempos that span several styles and four decades. Even though he pulls out Closer Musik's dazzling shuffle "Maria," just as he did on Cosmo Galactic Prism, one can sense that Thomas could supply a high-quality mix as deftly paced and layered as this one on a monthly basis. More importantly, he is one of Optimo's few rivals when it comes to using unlikely ingredients. Most of the selections were released during the last few years, from Map of Africa's scraggly and demonic "Wyatt Urp" to Sebastien Tellier's prog-tronic mini-epic throwback "Sexual Sportswear." Highlights that don't just sound old but are old come from grunting/scatting French-Canadian weirdos Dogs of War ("Le Stress"), completely French disco crew Martin Circus ("Disco Circus," 100 percent delirious in any context), and synth-wielding biker-rockers Anarchic System ("Generation"), evidently inspired by some time spent bonding on the open road (and yes, they just happen to be French as well).
Live at Robert Johnson
Prins Thomas
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Live at Robert Johnson Review
by Andy Kellman
