Posted on 08/27/2008
Electronic music, aside from creating pulsing dance rhythms, is supposed to also evoke some kind of emotion, or create an atmosphere of sorts, depending upon how good the producer is with sounds. Popular Paris DJ Don Rimini does a pretty good job on his new EP, Kick’N Run.

With only four songs, Rimini only provides a slight taste of what’s to come, hopefully on the full-length album. But he does use the music to create a certain “feel,” almost like a soundtrack.

A prime example of this imagery evocation is on “Nervous Breakdown,” a song infused with several different vocal sound bytes, bringing forth a musical schizophrenia, laced by a driving synth bass and kick drum (which we all know can drive anyone crazy after awhile.)

“Rave On,” a song that begins with an expletive phrase about fighting, definitely makes me want to grab a pole and take it to the streets. The song just screams a hundred hooligans walking through a neighborhood looking for trouble.

The only downfall of this short EP is the wasted intro and interlude. The intro, by Sly Johnson, is a lo-fi, Michael Buffer rip, which is downright terrible and useless. And right when the music starts getting good, Rimini throws an interlude in there, of which I believe to be outtakes. At least I hope so.

Don Rimini, a mainstay in the Paris rave scene since he was a teenager, delivers his electronic soundtrack, Kick’N Run, successfully. I, and every rave across the world look forward to the LP. But forget the arbitrary stuff, Rimini. We already know who you are. There’s no need to try so hard.

- Jason Reynolds