To pass the time during my daily commute, I’m digging through my neglected CD collection and listening to some of my past favorites. Today I selected a DJ mix by Dan Bell (DBX) titled “The Button Down Mind of Daniel Bell,” released by Tresor in 2000. I picked up this disc back in the day when one of my primary ways of discovering new artists was through mix CDs. This album did not disappoint, and it was in constant rotation with me for a good two years. It introduced me to Matthew Herbert as well as Farben, and it also helped me to realize that Thomas Brinkmann was more than a German dude with a gimmicky two tone-armed turntable.
Thomas Brinkmann – Karin (mp3)
Nick Holder – Feelin’ Sad (mp3)
Shake – Detroit State of Mind (mp3)
The disc opens up with a mid-tempo track by Farben, and it carries this minimal tone throughout. Some of the standout tracks are “Karin” by Thomas Brinkman, featuring overlaid dialogue from a movie I can’t place; “Feelin Sad” by Nick Holder; and “Detroit State of Mind” by Anthony “Shake” Shakir.
While many tech-house mixes of this era tend–in my mind–to run a little too repetitive and monotonous, Dan Bell manages to select tracks that drive forward to a steady beat, but also feature subtle melodies that sustain my interest. Just at the point where I begin to tire of it, he switches up the tempo with the closing track by Shake, ending things on a Costanza high note.
So how does it stand up to the test of time? Surprisingly well. I think most listeners would be surprised that this mix dates back to 2000.
