Various Artists - Geology: A Subjective Study of Planet E, Vol. 2 (CD)

All Music Guide

A compilation sequel that actually trumps the original, Geology, Vol. 2 hosts a greater variety of sounds and puts them together in much better fashion (the latter thanks to mixer Mike "Agent X" Clark) than the first volume. From the snare breakbeats and parade of echoing test-tones on the opener, Russ Gabriel's remix of "At Les" (originally by label-head Carl Craig), to the tough machine-soul of Alton Miller's "Extasol" and Mike Clark's own "In the Morning," the collection hosts a set of grooving productions that reference funk, hip-hop, astral jazz, synth-pop, disco, and broken beat -- basically, all the styles Planet E has staked its increasingly enormous reputation on since 1991. Culling tracks with the dancefloor in mind, Clark ropes in the immediately recognizable -- to Planet E fans, at least -- beats from "Steam" by Paperclip People a full three minutes before he actually plays the track out. Later, he spins directly from Moodymann's Kenny Dixon Jr. playing Philly soul engineer... on a remix of "People Make the World Go Round" by Innerzone Orchestra into Recloose's "Can't Take It," an irresistible beatbox anthem. - John Bush, All Music Guide Read more Less