DJ Sneak

Featuring efforts ranging from Little Louie Vega in his Groove Box guise to overseas deliveries via Junior Boys' Own and the Global Communications/Jedi Knights bunch, Buggin' transcends being "yet another moonshine mix disc" thanks to both Sneak's ear for good tracks and his solid DJ skills. As a snapshot of a house-inspired set from 1997, drawing on older and newer efforts of the time both, it's a fine listen through and through. The variation of styles throughout is welcome, whether it's the funk/salsa undertow of the mellow yet quick groove of "Stress Free" by Juice and Co. or the moody sci-fi opening from the Essentials with "Gimme Some Horns." Sneak never lets up the beat, as any DJ worth his salt should, but also has an ear to sequencing and flow, sometimes introducing subtle but effective pauses in the overall music while the beats continue, as at the start of "Strong Enough" by Manhattan People. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide