Ursula 1000 Albums (7)
'Undressed ...Remixed'
Release Date 1/1/2007
Tracks 10
Label ESL Music
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What The Critics Say
All of the tracks on this collection are previously unreleased remixes of songs from Ursula 1000's 2005 release Here Comes Tomorrow, except for the dancehall-flavored "Step Back," which is a new song written for this album and is presented in two different mixes (though in reality it's not completely new -- you can hear a slightly different version on Tayo's contribution to the Fabriclive DJ-mix series). The remixers who took on this project constitute an all-star cast of names that will likely be familiar to Ursula 1000's international fan base, including Skeewiff, Fort Knox Five, Ladytron, and Jstar, among others, and all of them manage to bring something new to the table while keeping Ursula 1000's fun-loving vibe intact: Fort Knox Five gives "Electric Boogie" a gritty, old-school mix that slyly incorporates vintage vocoder sounds and faux horns; Robosonic's take on "Hello! Let's Go to a Disco" is both funny and funky, while All Good Funk Alliance's mix of "Kaboom" is even funnier, funkier, and weirdly sexy to boot. Product.01 outdoes Fort Knox Five with their remix of "Electric Boogie" (by, among other things, making more creative use of the vocal samples). But the two versions of "Step Back" are the real stars of this program: Deekline and Ed Solo turn it into a raucous slab of trashy electroclash, while Jstar twists it into sharp, funky modern electro-roots reggae. There's not a dull moment to be found here, and this album should work perfectly as a stopgap to keep Ursula 1000's fans patiently waiting for the next platter of fresh cuts. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When it comes to funky kitsch electronica, the line between charming and cloying is a very, very thin one. It's a mark of Alex Gimeno's genius that he's able to negotiate that line with such consistently good (if not always absolutely perfect) judgment. His third album continues his exploration of vintage rock and disco sounds, Latin dance music, early electronica, psychedelic goofiness, and ethnic exotica. Every track teeters precariously on the brink of precious over-cuteness, but none of them actually falls over, and the tension of waiting for that to happen only adds to the fun. The best thing about the album, though, is its incredible variety of sounds. You've got your T. Rex tribute (on the stomping "Hello! Let's Go to a Disco," featuring Dougie Dimensional from the Gentle People), your Austin Powers-on-ecstasy go-go workout ("Kaboom!"), your blues-mambo-bhangra mash-up ("Got Cha"), your token pseudo-mystical Indian track ("Ragnarock"), your organ-based weirdo funk ("Mirkin the Mystic"), your straight-up old-school electro-funk ("Electrik Boogie"), and even a celebration of the 2 Tone ska revival ("Two Tone Rocka"). And bongos, baby -- lots of bongos. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
DJ Ursula 1000 has quite the ear for tunes, and knows how to mix 'em -- the extragroovy mix album Ursadelica is the proof. The first quarter of Ursadelica could be mistaken for an album of the DJ's own sampadelic and tres chic productions. Not a problem, but not surprising enough for the nonbelievers. Things get tricky right around Kraak en Smaak's "One of These Days," with tracks getting loopier and fading in and out, most likely due to the DJ's twiddling. It's the gateway to what most makes the album worth hearing -- Ursula's love of cheeky, smiley disco. Swirling around the room -- or maybe headphones -- Frank de Jojo's "Come Home Baby" is a tasty disco-house treat while Nasty Tales revives the campy chestnut "Come on a My House" with a light breakbeat. Great stuff, and Ursula points it out with his tension-building mix, but why the drab Mexicali jazz afterward? Tinkling pianos with bongos should be trying the nerves of even the ESL Records faithful by now, and luckily Ursula gets off it pretty quickly. Faux rare groove, electro-influenced lounge, and some truly unclassifiable dance music brings the party to a close. It's been four years since Ursula 1000 released his last mix -- All Systems Are Go-Go -- and he's learned a lot since then. The riskier moments are as innovative-sounding as this DJ has ever been, but giving the listener one or two tracks they'll likely skip nearly blows it. Everything else is glitter and gold, so time your bathroom break right, because Ursadelica is an almost triumph. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Loungecore DJ/producer Ursula 1000 fashions himself the post-millennial Esquivel, populating his second production album with 14 groovy, pleasant, slightly hip throwaways that leave few stylistic stones unturned in their quest for attention. "Beatbox Cha Cha" merges Rob Base and Pérez Prado, with a little finesse and a pumping bridge, while the opening title track makes its bid for Austin Powers-style immortality with an infectious little mover featuring all the requisite touches: go-go bassline, female vocalist, sleazy guitar, and swirling Hammond organ (the latter comes courtesy of Combustible Edison's Brother Cleve). Alex Gimeno, the man behind Ursula 1000, certainly knows his musical history; he's able to quote styles ranging from bossa nova to Bollywood to blaxploitation to breakbeat hip-hop. It's not especially subtle, but Kinda' Kinky is well produced and certainly fun. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'All Systems Are Go Go'
Release Date 7/11/2000
Tracks 18
Label ESL Music
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What The Critics Say
Loungecore DJ Ursula 1000 mixes a set of fun, though rather formulaic, collection of tracks for 18th Street Lounge. Over mid-tempo breaks and house rhythms, his tracks recycle the meatier parts of orchestral pop, easy listening, and instructional records for a post-ironic generation of musical horticulturists. Perhaps realizing how lightweight these grooves are, Ursula doesn't stick with the lounge sound throughout; in fact, parts of the album are surprisingly close to a turntablist record, with a bit of scratching as well as frequent breaks in the mix. Though the sound isn't as consciously "important" as more respected forms of music (like techno), All Systems Are Go-Go is a great mix album, thanks largely to great inclusions from producers all over the world: "Direct Drive" by ECD, "Margret Evening Fashion" by Le Hammond Inferno, and "Mr. Bongo" by Lemon are just three of the highlights. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'The Now Sound of Ursula 1000'
Release Date 7/20/1999
Tracks 13
Label ESL Music
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What The Critics Say
After the deluge of faceless downtempo collectives, there didn't seem to be much room for musicians who didn't want to reconstruct Massive Attack's Blue Lines, as Ursula 1000 illustrates: big Wall of Sound woofer-tickling, inventive samples laced without an overbearing sense of quirkiness, and exclusively refined breaks spun with the gravitas of a bloodshot junglist. But the spliffed-out elite's loss is our gain. The supple, mascara-lined loungecore retains a sense of humor as it boots its way into the grooves and only an idiot would write off the funky francophilia of "Mambo 1000" as it mimics Dr. No's "Jump Up" remixed by Fatboy Slim. A black sheep, but a black sheep to keep an eye on. ~ Dean Carlson, All Music Guide
