Ian Pooley - Pooled 25 (A Review)

Germany born DJ and producer Ian Pooley is one of the old hands of the underground house music scene; starting his career back in 1993 and running his own label 'Pooled Music' since 2003, this man’s name is synonymous with music of superior quality. From a man who has spent almost 20 years in the business, 'Pooled 25'; his first and only compilation of releases from the label was highly anticipated from anyone in the know. Ian has released twenty five tracks from Pooled in the past seven years, reason enough to celebrate and treat listeners with a veritable chocolate box of tracks, mixed together for your aural pleasure. Upon listening, the hype and speculation did not disappoint. This album is a 63 minute reminder of why Ian Pooley has been at the top of his game for so long, and proof that quality really is better than quantity when it comes to releasing records. 



The mix kicks off with Osunlade's remix of Kemetic Just - 'Thank you', and the haunting vocals and slick bassline are the perfect way to ease into proceedings. Flowing beautifully into Pooley's dub of Zoo Brazil - 'Treat me'; this record maintains the blissed out deepness but keeps a cheeky bassline that would have the foot tapping of the most cynical listener. Once the Timewriter remix of Pooley's 'All nite' kicks in, you know you're in it for the duration; and the combination of crystal clear kick drum, high hat and rising synths have peak time club moment written all over them. Pooley's dub of M.V.I.P. – ‘Aviator’ brings the signature Pooled sound of intoxicating deepness back into the fore, taking you away to hazy summer days away from UK drizzle. Pooley's own track, 'Around here' requires no remixes as the textured rhythms and soulful sounds follow on perfectly from ‘Aviator’ and fit nicely into the mix in their organic form. The Juno mix of 'The Dark White' starts to pick up the tempo and the track demonstrates the techier edge to Pooley’s repertoire, with echoes of the tech sounds heard in Berlin basements and caves parties of Ibiza.

Then comes Derrick Carter's signature boompty sound, which is written all over his remix of 'What I got' with a welcome smattering of vocals and soul influences. When the previously unreleased Viet2 Remix of 'It's you' kicks in, it's obvious we are now in techno territory, but just to make sure you're all paying attention at the back, delicious disco shades and early daft punk-esque riffs from Phil&Dan - Brighter proceeds it. The melodic 'Searchin' rolls into Magik Johnson's in da House remix of 'Heat'; the penultimate track and quintessential feelgood record.

To finish is the exquisite My Kicks (Vincenzo&Lovebirds Remix); an amazing piece of electronica and the perfect way to bookend a near perfect hour of house music. 

Nothing less was expected of an artist with such a high quality collection of productions, but this mix really is a keeper. Each track rolls on perfectly, spanning influences of Jazz, Soul, Disco and techno and taking you on a trip through Detroit, Chicago, Berlin, Ibiza and everywhere in between.

To quote the Pooled Manifesto; 'Classic, timeless, but always innovative'… they have a point.

Pooled 25 is out on 9th April 2010.

1. Kemetic Just - Thank you (Osunlade Rmx)

2. Zoo Brazil - Treat me (Pooley Dub)

3. Ian Pooley - All nite (Timewriter Rmx)

4. M.V.I.P. - Aviator (Pooley's Dub)

5. Ian Pooley - Around here

6. Ian Pooley - The Dark White (Juno Mix)

7. Ian Pooley - What i got (Derrick Carter Rmx)

8. Ian Pooley - It's you (Viet2 Rmx) previously unreleased

9. Phil&Dan - Brighter

10. Ian Pooley - Searchin' (Pooley Dub)

11. Ian Pooley - Heat (Magik Johnson's in da House Rmx)

12. Ian Pooley - My Kicks (Vincenzo&Lovebirds Rmx)