Mark Grant

Moving quickly through 16 diverse tracks on Sound Design, Vol. 2 for Om Records, Mark Grant drops an incredibly broad range of house tracks, everything from Latin house to the more jazzy style he's perhaps best known for. And even though he surprisingly strays from the Om catalog, you really can't complain since there aren't any dull moments in this set; he draws from an eclectic array of labels and producers -- some well-known (Masters at Work, Mood II Swing, Kerri Chandler, Eddie Amador), but most relatively unknown. It's partly this sense of the unknown that makes this mix so adventurous and thrilling, especially on the initial listen; even the most seasoned listeners will travel through this set blindly, since many of these tracks are relatively obscure. Successive listens are just as delightful, though, even without the sense of surprise, and that's because of Grant's mixing, which is just as amazing as his track selection. He moves from one style of house to the next without any delay or difficulty, showcasing just how much of a masterful DJ he truly is. And he shows off a little bit too, like any great DJ should, dropping an a cappella of Amador's "Rise" early in the set and then changing gears at the conclusion with some Latin house. So forget your presumptions about this mix. Sure, it may be commissioned by Om, but it's definitely not your typical mix from the label. And don't expect this to be your typical Chicago house set either; Grant's roots may lie in Chicago, but this mix proves just how far he's come since the early '90s as a DJ, not confining himself to one sound or style. However, as diverse as this mix may be, there is one constant; every track here is stunning, particularly Kerri Chandler and Jerome Sydenham's "Deconstructed House (Phase 1)" and the album-concluding Masters at Work remix of the Pasadenas' "Round and Round." So, even if this mix isn't what you'd perhaps expect from Grant, it's partly the sense of surprise that makes is such a worthwhile listen. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide