Artist: DJ Food Album: The Search Engine

Year: 2011
Duration: 0:0-1

DJ Food's The Search Engine: A Critical Review

DJ Food, the alias of Kevin Foakes, is a London-based turntablist and producer known for his fusion of jazz, funk, and electronic music. In 2012, he released his fifth studio album, The Search Engine, as a follow-up to his previous releases that emphasized his love for food and hip hop. The album takes its name from a machine that DJ Food invented to pull sounds and samples from his vast record collection. In this blog post, we will be discussing a critical review of The Search Engine, along with a brief history of DJ Food, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critic of the album.

DJ Food's career spans over two decades, starting from his debut album, Jazz Brakes, released in 1990. He has collaborated with various artists and DJs, including Coldcut and Strictly Kev. He is also known for his audiovisual shows, which integrate video projections and 3-D animation with his music. In The Search Engine, he brings his signature style of eclectic mixing and scratching to a new level. The album features a wide range of soundscapes, from orchestral jazz to Sci-Fi soundtracks, making it hard to classify it under a single genre.

The Search Engine has a total of 12 tracks, each with a unique flavor. The album kicks off with All Covered In Darkness (Parts 1 & 2), a cinematic track that sets the mood for the rest of the album. Magpie Music is another standout track, featuring a jazzy piano loop blended with funky basslines and scratching. The Illectrik Hoax is a catchy tune that samples from '60s psychedelic rock. African Rhythms is a lively track that showcases DJ Food's ability to incorporate African percussions into his music.

One of the innovative parts of The Search Engine is its use of found sounds and field recordings. DJ Food uses sounds that range from trains passing by to communication between satellites to create unique soundscapes. The track Giant stands out in this regard, sampling sounds from a washing machine to create a funky beat. The sound collages juxtaposed with the beats create an immersive experience that takes the listener on a journey.

Although The Search Engine is a solid album, there are a few flaws. Some tracks might feel disjointed, and the inclusion of spoken word samples might not be everyone's cup of tea. The transition between tracks could be smoother, and some tracks could benefit from being shorter. Nonetheless, DJ Food's signature style of blending different genres and sounds is evident throughout the album.

In conclusion, The Search Engine is a testament to DJ Food's creativity and passion for music. The album offers a musical journey that blends different sounds and genres seamlessly. The use of found sounds and field recordings adds a unique flavor to the album, making it stand out from other electronic music releases. It is an album that requires a few listens to appreciate fully, and it might not be for everyone. However, if you are a fan of turntablism, jazz, or just looking for something different, it is worth a listen. DJ Food continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with electronic music, and we cannot wait to see where his music will take us next.