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If you like techno with a feminine touch, check out Misstress "Miss Stress" Barbara's "Relentless Beats Vol. 1." A self-proclaimed dominatrix of the turn-tables, Barbara is no Streisand, although the CD insert does reveal a strikingly similar schnozz to Mrs. Yentl. Her beats are relentless in that addictive dance floor way, not in the Phillip Glass/Robert Wilson annoyingly eternal minimalistic way. This is because Misstress Barbara (real name: Barbara Brown) delivers tracks at the pace of a Dead Kennedys' EP. By the time we hit the 24th song on the disc, we've traversed a lifetime...or at least a nighttime. Coming from the underworld of international DJing, she's been as musically prolific as Bob Dylan, releasing twenty CDs of Saturday night Chicago swank line-at-the-door Rive Gauche trance beats, and still managing to look younger than a Road Rules cast member. And "Relentless Beats Vol. 1" is doubtlessly one of the best, perhaps due to the onslaught of talented cameos.
Don't get me wrong, this collection is as brainless as a freshman sorority chick on ex, but it's also as equally, hmmm, let's say--charming. A must-have for anyone that considers themselves a die-hard partier (not of the keg variety)--turn down the lights, crank the bass, and put on Jorge Zamacona's "Arms of My Filter" and let the inhibitions fade. Then plug in Umek's "Voltraren"; one never knew high heel shoes could be so sexy AND rhythmic. There's a slight nod to Stomp going on here, where the artifacts of quotidian life can serve as spontaneous drum tracks (see Bjork's brilliant "Dancer in the Dark" for more details).
Put on your tight pink Playboy cutoff shirt and crank this disc! (And I'm speaking to the guys with that last sentence.)
By Ron Riekki
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