Artist: Erick E
Title: Make U Smile
Label: Little Mountain Recordings
By: Simon Jones | 8 July 2004
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Dr Kucho Mix

Erick E "Make U Smile"

Erick E has without a doubt played a major role in taking dance music forward in Holland. As as DJ, he won the Dutch DMC Championships early in his career and subsequently went on to represent Holland in the World Championships, and from there had a residency and weekly night at the famous and now sadly non existent Roxy nightclub in Amsterdam, not to mention appearances at many major European festivals and also international clubs. As a producer, he's enjoyed just as much success with several solo projects and collaborations with Olav Basoski on the seminal Work imprint throughout the 90s. From there he set up his own label OneStar, where he teamed up with a then unknown Matthew Dekay to produce several tracks, and now he returns with his latest solo offering, a new single for Sander Kleinenberg's Little Mountain imprint entitled 'Make U Smile'.

The 'Original Mix' is a catchy percussive number that has already caught the attention of one Pete Tong who has been supporting it heavily on his Essential Selection show. Deep bass and shaking beats vibrate at the heart of the groove, with the added vocal resonating soundly over the top of the funky and hypnotic kicks, building to a big room style breakdown before spinning back down to a minimalist outro that will set up nicely for the next record but keep the party jumping nevertheless.

On the flip, leaving Wally Lopez behind for once, 'Dr Kucho' flies solo and turns in his own version of 'Make U Smile'. Not changing the percussive lead of the original too much, Kucho adds his own trademark elements, with acid hooks being used to great effect, cutting through the quirky sounds, as the rippling groove bubbles away rather nicely indeed.

A fairly decent release from Erick E, which doesn't quite hit the mark like his earlier productions never failed to do, but is a solid track for those who like to party. Throw in a surprise cracker from Dr Kucho and you have a single that's worth checking out if you get the time to.