ScumFrog - Simmer (2004)

[DudeAsInCool]

Scumfrog - Simmer

www.thescumfrog.com

from Isaac McCalla

"Simmer" is The Scumfrog's debut solo album, featuring new songs from Scumfrog the Artist instead of Scumfrog the remixer. The Scumfrog (aka Jesse Houk) made his first ripples in the underground scene with "The Watersong" and blast onto the airwaves with Kylie Minogue's "Love at First Sight" remix, which got everyone's attention with its powerful beat and unique structure. From that point on, The Scumfrog was known as a fresh purveyor of deep, dark and funky house music. Since Jesse's conquered the realm of remixing, he's gone on to explore his more artistic, original side.

True to form, Scumfrog's production on this CD strikes the right balance between grunge and clean techno, a magic trick that The Scumfrog does particularly well. With "Simmer," he's created a hybrid of progressive house and 70s glam rock, that makes the songs approachable for a wide range of music fans, who will no doubt enjoy the re-interpretation of classic rock 'n roll attitude. It seems like Jesse is familiar with acts like The New York Dolls and Hedwig, because a lot of the same sensibilities are here. Lyrics like "My pants are leather, my boots are pink, bet your boyfriend don't know what to think" enter that androgynous zone that glam rockers.

You can read more here:

http://dancemusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/...frogSimmerR.htm

***

Overall, the music has an rocking sound and is full of attitude. The guitar work is scorching, live and groovy, creating a live energy unheard of in most house music these days- excepting the current trend of bringing rock into house music. "Simmer" exemplifies that trend, being a prime example of live rock elements finding their way into dance music.

Starting with the opening track "Set It Off" you'll hear gentle, electric keys over a serene bed of strings build into an arena-sized wall of guitars as Scumfrog screams "set it off…set it off" like a true rocker. The second track, "Come On," is my favorite vocal track on the album; the structure is classic, the music borders on punk, the groove is irresistible, and Jesse's vocals sound spot on like a young Mick Jagger.

track#

song name

track time

1

Set It Off

(6:16)

 

 

2

Come On

(3:08)

 

 

3

Simmer

(3:58)

 

 

4

Domino

(4:48)

 

 

5

Bacon

(7:02)

 

 

6

8 Days, 7 Hours

(4:25)

 

 

7

F Karma

(6:28)

 

 

8

One Thing

(7:23)

 

 

9

Music Revolution

(3:14)

 

 

10

Beauty

(6:51)

 

 

11

Come On (New York Mix)(*)

(7:38)

 

 

12 (CD 2)

You, Me & The Music (the Scumfrog's Vocal Mix)

(6:38)

 

 

13 (CD 2)

Learning to Fly (Dub

(5:41)

 

 

14 (CD 2)

I Like the Way You Touch Me (the Scumfrog Remix)

(5:28)

 

 

15 (CD 2)

Free as the Morning Sun (the Scumfrog's Remix)

(5:57)

 

 

16 (CD 2)

Loving the Alien

(7:41)

 

 

17 (CD 2)

Switch (the Scumfrog's Deep Miami Dub)

(6:11)

 

 

18 (CD 2)

Days Go By (the Scumfrog's Vocal Mix)

(7:15)

 

 

19 (CD 2)

Jungle of Mirror (the Scumfrog's Remix)

(5:39)

 

 

20 (CD 2)

Sunshine (the Scumfrog's Remix)

(5:54)

 

 

21 (CD 2)

Music Revolution

(6:05)

 

 

22 (CD 3)

Deep Sleep Dub

(6:43)

 

 

23 (CD 3)

You're Not Alone (the Scumfrog's Dub)

(7:06)

 

 

24 (CD 3)

In the Beginning (the Scumfrog's Remix)

(6:58)

 

 

25 (CD 3)

Andante (the Scumfrog's FF Tusson d'Or Mix)

(5:53)

 

 

26 (CD 3)

We Love You

(8:34)

 

 

27 (CD 3)

Love at First Sight (the Scumfrog's Beauty and the Beast Vocal Mix)

(6:37)

 

 

28 (CD 3)

On the Floor

(5:38)

 

 

29 (CD 3)

Feel Alive (the Scumfrog's Remix)

(7:32)

 

 

30 (CD 3)

Keep Control (the Scumfrog's Remix)

(5:23)

 

 

31 (CD 3)

Never Enough (the Scumfrog's Antidote Dub)

(4:40)Amsterdam native Scumfrog (born Jesse Houk) is a successful progressive house producer and remixer who had three of his productions simultaneously in the Top Ten of the Billboard club chart. After numerous DJ sets in his homeland, Scumfrog moved to New York City in 1997 and recorded his debut single, "The Watersong." Three years later he was touring with superstar DJRoger Sanchez while his version of the Rolling Stones' "We Love You" was on top of the U.K. charts. Soon Annie Lennox, Missy Elliot, and Kylie Minogue were hiring him for remixes, but it was his mix of David Bowie's "Loving the Alien" that brought the most attention. In 2003, Effin Records collected 20 of Houk's productions and remixes for the double CD Extended Engagement, while BBC Radio aired Scumfrog's first Essential Mix. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide.

http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/arti...3047535,00.html