Released in the UK during the Summer of 2003 off the back of the deliriously popular big beat and footie-tastic ‘A Little Less Conversation’ (featuring Elvis Presley) ‘Radio JXL: A Broadcast From Computer Hell Cabin’ from Junkie JXL is ticklin’ the toes of those yanks all over again with this rainbow calibre dance-fest. And what a strange and carefree melting pot of styles it is too. From the big vibrant colours of the Saffron contributions (remember Republica?) to the shattering helter skelter of his Peter Tosh remix, JXL just about thwarts every expectation you could possibly throw at him. And with the second of the two discs taking the total to well over 2 hours it’s hardly a bolt out of the blue. The teases and curls, however, manage to keep things moving and it listens anything but dull.
Taking a diverse range of artists including Gary Numan, Robert Smith of the Cure, and Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode is one thing, but forcing them up against the likes of Elvis Presley and Peter Tosh is quite another. To do this successfully is weirder still.
It’s party music. But it’s quality all the same.