Carl Cox Albums (15)
What The Critics Say
Carl Cox's third artist album presents some new tracks from the much-loved producer, collects a handful of older ones, and blends it all together in a mix-CD fashion. On top of all this is the quirky guest list, which includes everyone from superstar producer Norman Cook to techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson. Save "Got What You Paid 4!" -- a tedious, screaming, Prodigy wannabe with singer Saffron -- the collaborations all feel natural and loose, as if every collaborator got a "do what you feel, keep it funky" debriefing. Since he's fluent in six or seven genres of dance and has a genre-hopping back catalog, it's surprising the album is so house, with Cox's own contributions ranging from house proper to tech-house. Saunderson brings the chilly Detroit techno to "Vibes of Energy," Norman Cook brings the over the top, big beat boom to "That's the Bass," and Roni Size brings the off-kilter nu-jazz to "Open Book." Cox's hypnotic loops and incredibly catchy contributions are the glue that holds the album together while the DJ mix construction of it all disguises the filler, not there's much to begin with. While the pounding techno lovers might be disappointed that the album sparkles so often, Second Sign is a well-constructed effort that's club worthy, headphone worthy, and rich enough to withstand many repeat listens. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
'F.A.C.T. Australia II: A Global Tour'
Release Date 11/25/2003
Tracks 37
Label Level Two
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Mixed Live 2nd Session'
Release Date 11/12/2002
Tracks 18
Label Moonshine Music
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What The Critics Say
Two years after recording his first Mixed Live session for Moonshine Records in the birthplace of house music, Chicago, Carl Cox returned to the American Midwest for his second session, appropriately recorded this time in the birthplace of techno, Detroit. The session may have not been recorded at a renowned Detroit techno establishment (instead recorded during the Area 2 tour), nor did it feature any of the city's music (instead featuring mostly Euro-techno), but it's nonetheless an incredibly representative sample of Cox's live performances. In fine form and quite enthusiastic, the British DJ works through a total of 18 tracks in just under 75 minutes, emphatically shouting out sudden rallying calls ("Come on Detroit! Let's see ya!") every few minutes to keep the clamorous crowd fervent. Roughly half of the tracks Cox throws down come from his own label, Intec, and these productions by such producers as Christian Smith, Bryan Zentz, and Renato Cohen tend to stand out as highlights, as do the "Smith & Selway Remix" of Slam's "Step Back" and the "Oxia Remix" of the Hacker's "Nothing Lasts." Cox moves from one track to the next gracefully, and the relentless tempo rarely offers any relief, slowly increasing in both intensity and pace as the mix rumbles on. If anything, the abundance of Intec releases lacks variety. If you don't favor this North European style of hard techno, you may find yourself longing for a good old-fashioned Detroit track every so often or perhaps some of the experimental quirkiness often associated with German productions. Regardless of your preference, though, Cox certainly puts on a show here, and the Detroit crowd at Area 2 certainly responds. After all, more than anything, Cox is a live performer, and Mixed Live, 2nd Session is the empirical testament to the fact. This release certainly tops his studio work and is as worthy as any of his other numerous mix albums, if not more so because of the live context. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
'Carl Cox Global'
Release Date 5/14/2002
Tracks 28
Label WEA International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Global, Carl Cox's oddly titled postcard from an American tour, doesn't have the sheer magnetism and personal force of Mixed Live, his last mix album. The sound is cleaner but also a bit more sterile, making headphone listening much more bland than actually witnessing one of Cox's marathon sets. Natural Born Grooves' "Kick Back" is a solid opener, but the second up (Angel Moraes' "Turn It Up") takes a long time to get going. Cox gets better after this, taking listeners through a spiralingly minimal mix with tracks from Oxia and DJ Disciple (the latter is the best track on the mix), then heading into dark territory with his own "Dirty Bass" (co-produced by Christian Smith) and Bryan Zentz's "Watch the Sun." There isn't any letup late in the mix, either, with the pounding "Simulation" by Tiga and Mateo. Bangin' sets like this one may have been the perfect antidote to empty dancefloors while he was on the road, but the relentless drive may leave the unfortunate home listener with a headache. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'F.A.C.T.: Future Alliance of Communication & Tecknology, Vol. 3'
Release Date 12/12/2000
Tracks 30
Label Zomba
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The first volume in a special Moonshine series inspired by the hotspot-trotting Global Underground mix label and developed by Coxy himself, Mixed Live was recorded at "Crobar" in Chicago (and released just two months later). With fully three-quarters of the available channels used to record audience reaction to his set, everybody's favorite DJ mashed it up to his heart's content, and the microphones dutifully recorded every scream from the crowd as he worked through peaks like the tribal funk of Andrew McLoughlin's "Love Story" and Aphrohead's insane party anthem "Cry Baby." A breathtaking balance of hard dancefloor techno and more soulful house (Cox was undoubtedly inspired by playing in the Windy City), Mixed Live is the best mix album Carl Cox has yet recorded. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'Phuture 2000'
Release Date 6/15/1999
Tracks 11
Label Moonshine Music
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Cox makes his bid for the music of the millennium with Phuture 2000, his second full production album and the first released in America. As could be expected from one of the world's most traveled DJs, it's an album of diverse styles and tempos, from the percussive energy of the previous year's dance smash "The Latin Theme" to harder techno on "Dr. Funk" and even a nod to the New York super-club on "Tribal Twilo Dance." Whereas many albums beginning with a producer's wish to prove his diversity end up a mixed bag of music that's far too varied to make for a solid listen, Cox knows better than anyone how to pace a set for ultimate entertainment. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
