BnB Review: Sounds Like Alola Vol. 1 & 2 By Omid 16B & Demi

Written by Youri Jozee

Alola Records celebrates 17 years of deepness by releasing their entire re-mastered catalog through all digital stores through 2011. The first two instalments of Alola’s past, present and future have been carefully handpicked and mixed by label boss Omid 16B and Demi respectively...





“When I started ALOLA back in 1993 with £500 I’d borrowed from my dad, it was an outlet to release my own music and slowly, music by like-minded artists whom I admired… After 17 years it’s time for the past, present and future to fall in sync.” Fact is that Alola has churned out a myriad of hot tunage over these past 17 years, all of which are now going to make it to the digital format along with previously unreleased tracks. Omid 16B himself takes care of the first instalment, followed up by friends and SOS co-member Demi.

Omid 16B Presents Sounds Like Alola Volume 1
The first edition consists mostly out of new and unreleased tracks by Omid himself, mixed with a handful of older tunes. It has become a subtle journey through the deeper side of house music, a very consistent flow of grooves, dubby bass, bit of tribal percussion here and there and a warm, almost mellow vibe. highlights in the mix include the Anthony Teasdale 1999s Santa Monica, Omid 16B - Re-Arranged (new and unreleased 2011) and SexOnSubstance - Leads To Love (new and unreleased 2011). All in all, a very credible mix from beginning till end.

Rating: 7.5/10

Tracklist:
01. Omid 16B - The Boy That Never Sleeps (new and unreleased 2011)
02. Pete Moss - Give You Love (back cat. 2003)
03. Eli Nissan - Uplifting Blues (back cat. 2001)
04. Omid 16B - Sky As A (new and unreleased 2011)
05. Omid 16B - Evo Lustation (new and unreleased 2011)
06. Anthony Teasdale - Santa Monica (back cat. 1999)
07. Omid 16B - It Doesn't Have To End (new unreleased mix)
08. Omid 16B - Re-Arranged (new and unreleased 2011)
09. Omid 16B - Jungle Home (new and unreleased 2011)
10. Omid 16B - 3am (new and unreleased 2011)
11. SexOnSubstance - Leads To Love (new and unreleased 2011)
12. Omid 16B - Who Are You? (new and unreleased 2011)
13. Omid 16B - At Night (new and unreleased 2011)

Demi Presents Sounds Like Alola Volume 2
Demi's mix, that spans the era between 1996 and now, is a much more diverse affair in terms of artists and genres. The mix opens nicely with House of 909's warm Blandford Superfly track and them moves on to break-based tunes, proggy electronica and throbbng house beats. Among the highlights here are 16B - Secrets (Late Night Mix), Watson - Beneath The Sound (Powder Beats) and Eli Nissan - Uplifting Blues. A very adventurous mix with plenty of twists to keep you hooked to your speakers till the end.

Rating: 8.2/10

Tracklist:
01. House of 909 - Blandford Superfly (back cat. 2002)
02. Pete Moss - Strive to Live (Omid 16B Mix) (back cat. 2003)
03. 16B - Secrets (Late Night Mix) (back cat. 1999)
04. Remote Control - Tranquility Base (back cat. 2003)
05. The Novak Project - Testament (back cat. 1997)
06. Marco Da Mata & Matthew - Dancing With Elephants (new and unreleased
2011)
07. Vince Watson - Beneath The Sound (Powder Beats) (back cat. 2001)
08. Remote Control - 4pm In Frisco (back cat. 2003)
09. Remote Control - Reflexions (back cat. 2003)
10. 16B - 2 Cold (back cat. 2003)
11. NAV - Space Chase (Demi's Back To The Future Edit) (back cat. 1996)
12. Trevor Loveys - The Live Track (unreleased 2011)
13. YMC - Jazzamatic (back cat. 2000)
14. Eli Nissan - Uplifting Blues (back cat. 2001)
15. Vince Watson - Mystical Rhythm (Omid 16B Rmx vs Original Mix) (back cat.
1999)
16. SexOnSubstance - Cactus (new and unreleased 2011)

Our verdict:
These first two editions form a great kick-off to what could become one of the funkiest and warmest compilation series of 2011. Omid 16B is a hypnotzing blend of proggy and deep house cuts, while Demi's contribution is a more broader palette of label highlights and genres too.

Sounds Like Alola - Volume 1 & 2
Released worldwide 29th March 2011 (Beatport exclusive 1st March 2011) on Alola Records

BnB recommends: classic Alola albums available digitally for the first time:  
Trevor Loveys presents 2nd Nature - Era
Pete Moss - In Your Dreams
Omid 16B - Everything All Of Them Every Year
Omid 16B - How To Live 100 Years
Omid 16B - Sounds From Another Room
Various Artists - More Space To Dance

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