Vic Latino

Radio DJ Vic Latino is a fixture on New York City prime time radio, the celebrated compiler of 80s Now!, and he is slated to man the decks for several episodes of MTV Beach House during the summer of 2003. So there's no disputing the power of his brand -- the question is whether he can actually keep your interest over the course of two discs of continuously-mixed breakbeat and club tracks. And the answer is yes, for several reasons. The first reason is low expectations: a two-disc continuous mix of club music is supposed to be functional, not interesting, so when you encounter something as exquisitely lovely as PPK's "Resurrection," or DJ Jean's "Launch," or something as exquisitely cheesy as Agnelli & Nelson's "Everyday 2002," it feels like a surprise party. The second reason is that Vic Latino understands something that few club DJs do, and that is the fact that house music is most effective when it's scattered amongst funkier offerings, as it is here. Two hours of thudding house beats would have been a recipe for a summer headache; two hours of funky breaks interspersed with a few stretches of four-on-the-floor house rhythms makes for a perfect soundtrack to a long drive with the top down on a sunny stretch of oceanside highway. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide