Benny Benassi

Using jackin’ sounds to create aurally fresh beats, the tracks on Benny Benassi’s Cooking for Pump-Kin succeed. A bumpin’, emotional record, repeated listens make you want to mumble "wicked” more than just once — hear Luciana’s badass raw vocals in Bodyrox’s "Yeah yeah.” This mix, produced by Benassi’s Pump-Kin Music, opens with Oliver Huntemann & Stephan Bodzin’s jarringly cool tech-house version of Depeche Mode’s "Everything Counts.” Never losing his cool, Benassi progressively mixes a journey of the dirty electro-house, which he is famous for — recall the maddeningly popular 2003 track "Satisfaction.” Chris Lake’s "Changes” (featuring Laura V) offers sweet, soulful vocal flavours mixed with dirty tech-noise. Fedde le Grand’s "Put Your Hands up for Detroit” will have your hands in the air. The compilation closes with a track by Benassi, a 2007 remix of "Love is Gonna Save Us.” Benassi has been known more widely for production in the past; he’s remixed tracks by Goldfrapp, Outkast, Felix da Housecat, Fischerspooner, and Moby. Still, this album (recorded in honour of touring Canada by bus) shows that Italy’s Benassi is not only a skilled producer but a kick-ass DJ as well.