Critic's Review
Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
If you happen to be a house fan who's attempted in vain to turn someone on to the form with failing results, a couple spins of this just might do the trick. This 2000 release through Warner dance subsidiary F-111 ties up some of the big green man's more accessible tracks throughout the years, and due to its wide-open distribution channels, it's the easiest to find. To the average electronica fan -- the one who's been limited to the likes of big beat and trip-hop, at least -- the most distinctive aspect of Green Velvet's tracks would be his monologues and skit-type happenings. His production skills have always been highly regarded, but it's the always hilarious goings-on through the likes of "Flash," "Answering Machine," "Water Molecule," and "Abduction" that reel in the house-phobes.
Musically, the tracks are just as satisfying, if not more. His production frequently gains positive comparisons to the mid-to-late '80s mind-emptying/machinist jack tracks, but Green Velvet also dips into the electronic side of late '70s/early '80s post punk and early Prince. The driving, perverse nature of "Red Light" fits comfortably between the Normal's "Warm Leatherette" and Soft Cell's "Sex Dwarf," and musically sits in the company of Suicide's second album. The programmed percussion on "Thoughts" is straight out of Purple Rain-era Prince, and "Destination Unknown"'s opening throbs are an update on the ones heard on "Dirty Mind." These highlights hardly scratch the surface -- the compilation is an endless barrage of slick spots, surely enough to entertain and convert and definitely a concise way to please the already informed. Most definitely the renaissance Superman of the house scene, Green Velvet is deserving of any Chemicals worshipper or Moby-phile. Don't let the yellow feather Mohawk intimidate you.
Musically, the tracks are just as satisfying, if not more. His production frequently gains positive comparisons to the mid-to-late '80s mind-emptying/machinist jack tracks, but Green Velvet also dips into the electronic side of late '70s/early '80s post punk and early Prince. The driving, perverse nature of "Red Light" fits comfortably between the Normal's "Warm Leatherette" and Soft Cell's "Sex Dwarf," and musically sits in the company of Suicide's second album. The programmed percussion on "Thoughts" is straight out of Purple Rain-era Prince, and "Destination Unknown"'s opening throbs are an update on the ones heard on "Dirty Mind." These highlights hardly scratch the surface -- the compilation is an endless barrage of slick spots, surely enough to entertain and convert and definitely a concise way to please the already informed. Most definitely the renaissance Superman of the house scene, Green Velvet is deserving of any Chemicals worshipper or Moby-phile. Don't let the yellow feather Mohawk intimidate you.
