DJ Soul Slinger

The most famous Brazilian in drum'n'bass until DJ Marky lit up the British charts in 2002, expat DJ Soul Slinger earned a place in the hearts of his countrymates by sponsoring Ecosystem 1.0 and 2.0, a pair of festivals held in Manaus, deep in the Amazon rainforest, that lured tens of thousands of participants. In anticipation of the third volume, Soul Slinger and Liquid Sky released Ecosystem: The Brazilian Joint, a refreshing mix album that illustrates Slinger's close ties to his home. All of the tracks are Brazilian productions, with a few names (Drumagick, Ramilson Maia) popping up multiple times. Drumagick's big, brassy production "Malandragem" is an excellent opener, while Maia's blend of bossa brashness and house elegance makes highlights of the Ivan Lins tune "Madalena" (with vocals from Debora Reis) and "Chuva" (with Janaina Lima). Soul Slinger's own live (as opposed to programmed) extravaganza "Na Noite Se Resolve" is one of the most successful experiments, a delightful fusion of acoustic guitar, late-night vibes, and live drumwork fading into pre-programmed beats with a bit of pulled-from-the-brink scratching from the man himself. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide