Customer Reviews
FK Masterpiece - By: A. P. Huntley, 01 Apr 2008 
CD1 Average
CD2 Average
CD3 Understated
Always a risk working for the big record companys
Another Essential Mix... - By: Lee J. Garrington, 29 Feb 2008 
Francois K's `Essential Mix' double CD release from 2000 is the finest mix CD I own, so any new release from the man is always something to look forward to, especiallly one covering 3 CDs! So how does this mix compare to that classic? Well the two are very different. Essential Mix was a wildly eclectic freestyle mix covering everything from Dub Techno, to Funk, Afro-House to Hip-Hop. Masterpiece is essentiallly an in-depth exploration of House, Techno & the cross over between the two.
CD1 contains the big tunes, which are proven to work the floors across the world. However there is nothing obvious about the selection. Standouts include the ominous, skeletal Villalobos rework of Shakleton's `Blood on my hands', Dubfire's forceful Techno on `Ribcage' & deep electronic classic `Shrinkansen' by Tom Middleton. The only letdown is the Deadmau5 track, which to me sounds like generic Trance.
CD2 increases the pace with the finest Techno mix I have heard since John Selway's `Lightwave' mix from a few years ago. There is a perfect balance between harder tracks & a deeper Detroit flavoured approach as well as a good balance between forgotten classics & standout new releases. The move from Fumiya Tanaka's percussive minimalism into Joris Voorn's widescreen euphoric Techno shows a true master at work. Ben Simm's acid track leads into timeless Detroit gems from Kenny Larkin & Rob Hood. By the time you hear the classic `Time, Space, Transmat' refrain on `Nightdrive (thru Babylon), you know Techno does not get much better than this.
CD3 is the most varied of the three where we get something nearer to what Francois would play on one of his `anything goes' mixes. We start off with a quite experimental electronic sound & a great mix of `little fluffy clouds'. Some off-the-walll house gives way to deep house music with an increasingly afro-centric vibe & some deep & percussive tribal business. Finishing with some real-deal wild African street funk from Congo's finest Konono No 1. Personallly, I would have liked CD3 to be less House-oriented & to feature more Drum n Bass, Dub or Dubstep for example but hey this is a Ministry of Sound mix!
Overalll another superb selection from one of the worlds finest DJs...
Appropriately Titled Triple Mix CD - By: R. Mullaney, 19 Feb 2008 Finallly, it seems we may have a new triple mix CD to rival Tom Middleton's classic 'The Sound of the Cosmos.' New York based disco genius, Francois K was chosen by the Ministry of Sound to compile & mix 'Masterpiece' & they couldn't have picked a better man for the job. Listeners expectations would be high of any CD with a title this bold, so Francois pulled out alll the stops to deliver an amazing mix.
The mix is split into 3 different sounds, inspired by cities Francois loves & regularly plays in:
Disc 1: Napoli. This is the big room house CD. The ambient intro morphs into Dubfire's 'Ribcage' & sets the tone for the mix. Francois blends deep house, minimal techno, acid & peak time floorfillers to create an exciting but accessible mix that's not too underground but still doesn't tread old ground.
Disc 2: Manchester. Techno. Francois is just as happy dropping techno cuts from Len Faki, Airfrog & Joris Voorn. High tempo & high energy mix.
Disc 3: Tokyo. This is an interesting mix. Things start very slow & low & get a little more eclectic. There is still a house sense to proceedings but nodding towards slower funk & electronica.
Overalll, this is one hell of a listening experience. Sometimes the mixing can be a little urgent & there is the odd gallloping beat but Francois K is a master of creating a vibe through music & he certainly delivers a masterpiece.
Like this? Try: The Sound of the Cosmos - Tom Middleton
