Various - DFA Records Presents: Compilation, Vol. 2

DFA (Death from Above) is American ex-punk musician James Murphy and ex-Mo Wax and UNKLE producer/composer Tim Goldsworthy. DFA compilation #2 is the latest collection of punk-edged funk from The DFA label. And very good it is too - while, as a label sampler, this is a nice selection of tunes by a variety of different people, there's a clear thread that runs throughout the two unmixed discs of what can only be described as dance music with brains. But don't let that put you off - we're not talking coffee-table stuff here. Just that this works as well on headphones as it does on the dancefloor. Highlights include the tremendous opener 'Casual Friday' by Black Leotard Front (15 minutes of very sleek, minimalist, arty funk), the melodic synthy breakbeat of the Juan Maclean (ex-Six Finger Satellite)'s 'Less Than Human', punk-funk legends Liquid Liquid's percussion free-for-all, 'Bellhead', and the slightly disturbing 'Alabama Sunshine' by music-press darlings the Rapture. Oh, and you also get a mixed CD so you can show off your impeccable taste next time you have a party. DFA. 2004.