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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Full Frame
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Photo gallery - Accessible via DVD-ROM
  • Booklet - History of UK Garage & dossiers on the featured MCs

The UK Garage Project

Eagle Vision/Warner Vision . R4 . COLOR . 169 mins . G . PAL

  Feature
Contract

A spin-off from House music, the Garage movement was born in 1994 and incorporated into itself several musical genres, including hip-hop, rap and funk. Originally hailing from the United States where it was known, appropriately enough, as US Garage, this new sub-genre soon emigrated to the shores of the United Kingdom, where it found a small, but dedicated, collective of talented DJs and MCs; however, as it was a fledgling musical style situated outside the realm of the commercial mainstream, UK Garage’s appeal was limited. It was not until 1995 and 1996 that UK Garage achieved a wider audience, aided to no end by the ardent support of numerous UK pirate radio stations.

DJs such as Norris “Da Boss” Windross, Karl “Tuff Enuff” Brown, Timmi Magic, Ray Hurley and Pied Piper, elevated the status of UK Garage and provided the benchmark for the DJs and MCs which were to follow them; they proved to be the vanguard who brought its radical sound to London’s clubs and raves. Also instrumental in the promotion and awareness of this new sub-genre were several prominent events: “La Cosa Nostra,” “Mum’s the Word,” “Horny,” and “The Arches.” The movement rose to greater heights in 1998, becoming the one of the most influential and popular styles within the cultural underground, contesting Happy Hardcore and Drum N Bass for supremacy.

In 1999, UK Garage reached its pinnacle, breaking the confines of its subterranean roots and into the commercial charts with a succession of Garage-influenced hit singles, most notably Shanks & Bigfoot’s “Sweet Like Chocolate” and Da Click’s “Good Rhymes.” Its rise, assisted with the introduction of over 50 new pirate radio stations - of which one of the most respected was Delight FM - heralded the gradual erosion of Drum N Bass’ dominance over the underground music scene. However, UK Garage’s new-found popularity has not been well received by everyone.

Critics within the movement have expressed concern at the prospect of their counterculture becoming just another marketable commodity. Yet with its infectious appeal and major artists such as the Artful Dodger, Wookie, and DJ Luck & MC Neat, UK Garage’s future seems assured, now being referred to in some corners of the music industry as the “new British soul,” and becoming a prominent voice for 21st century youth.

Those expecting The UK Garage Project to be the definitive documentary on the origins and history of this musical genre will be sorely disappointed; rather, it is an elongated music video, containing a montage of suburban landscapes, crowded nightclubs, nubile young women, dubious camera angles, and psychedelic third-generation computer graphics. A hard beast to categorize, this title defies classification as to whether or not it wishes to be a valid document on the rave scene, or a cheap, exploitive effort in soft porn.

Either way, the music’s repetitiveness and tribal rhythms produce a hypnotic effect on the viewer, making it a somewhat compulsive experience. But The UK Garage Project is nothing more than an ultimately disposable curio; if you wish to relish the experience of an underground rave first-hand, you will be better served by actually attending a venue, instead of watching people - most of whom have no sense of rhythm - making unashamed plays towards the intrusive hand-held cameras.

The UK Garage Project is divided into two distinct parts. The first contains mixes from one of the rising stars of the new generation of the UK Garage movement, Masterstepz, who has been associated with premier events such as “Garage Nation” and the Zoo promotion “Twice As Nice,” while the second focuses on DJ brothers Bobby & Steve, champions of US Garage music and the creators of Zoo Entertainment; hosts of Kiss FM, the duo were nominated for the 1997 MOBO award for their production of Overjoyd’s “Follow The Vibe.”

It should be noted that although the DVD cover slick alludes to the impression that this program runs for 169 minutes, in actuality, it is 95 minutes and 48 seconds. However, with the inclusion of the CD audio component, The UK Garage Project’s duration is indeed 169 minutes; technically, there is no discrepancy.

Masterstepz DVD Component Part I Track Listing / Running Time (1:08:30)

  1. Got To Get Mine / Booker T featuring Aaron Soul
  2. Enough Is Enough / Y Tribe
  3. Walk On Bye / S Gurley
  4. Sho Me / Andrea Mendez
  5. Feel It / London’s Unique 3
  6. Do You Want Some More / SL featuring Lifford David
  7. First Time / Noodles
  8. Sunshine Lover / Francis James DJ Face featuring Fahan
  9. Spirit Of The Sun / Lenny Fontanna
  10. You Got The Love / DJ D. Foster & Co. featuring MC DT/Rachel John
  11. I Will Always Be Your Friend / L.I.K.
  12. Say The Word / Spreadlove Project
  13. Liferide / N ‘n G featuring Rose Windross and Creed
  14. Get Me / SIA (Groove Chronicles remix)
  15. You’re Mine / Suburban Lick
  16. Feel My Love / Matt “Jam” Lamont presents The Jam Experience
  17. Jealousy / Nicola Hurley and London’s Unique 3
  18. God Made Me Phunky / Mike Dunn featuring MD X-Press
Bobby & Steve DVD Component Part II Track Listing / Running Time (27:18)
  1. Be Right There / Brother of Soul
  2. Midnight Sky / Jazz ‘n’ Groove
  3. Do You Love what You Feel / Joey Negro
  4. Whenever You Want Me / Breakpoint featuring John Banfield
  5. Savanna’s Groove / Starpoint

  Video
Contract

The UK Garage Project is presented in a non-anamorphic screen aspect ratio of 1.33:1 and is, therefore, full frame.

Shot on video via hand-held camera, the transfer exhibits a substantial amount of grain which is most noticeable during the nightclub scenes and other dimly-lit environments; for instance, shots of the bustling London streets at night and dusk. There are discernible MPEG artefacts, consisting of macro-blocking, featured throughout the presentation. Oversaturation and mild bleeding occur throughout the rave sequences, but are mercifully brief. When the kaleidoscopic lighting permits, flesh tones seem to alternate between pale and ruddy.

Although the camera tends to lose focus on occasions, details remain moderately sharp. Black levels alternate between high and low, sometimes appearing opaque. Aliasing is most prominent during the frequent examples of computer animation, though they are not too distracting; there are no real issues with moiré.

  Audio
Contract

Despite the indication that there are but two audio selections available on this disc, in reality, there are three: the English Dolby Digital 2.0, the English Dolby Digital 5.1, which features a mostly instrumental track, and another English Dolby Digital 5.1 selection which contains both the instrumental track and MC CKP’s improvised rap: “Uh huh, oh yeah... big shout going out to all the DJs on the circuit... maximum respect...” etc. It is recommended to disregard this third option as the over-glorified chant appears to be looped and has the ability to become tiresome rather quickly.

The Dolby Digital 2.0 is confined to the forward soundstage and, naturally, receives no support from the rear surrounds or the subwoofer; it seems quite compressed and exhibits limited fidelity on the high and low range, unless one is willing to increase the volume. However, the multi-directional 5.1 audio mix is excellent, displaying great clarity throughout the range spectrum and depth in the bass; while delivering great resonance, the subwoofer seems nicely balanced and is neither too weak or overpowering.

  Extras
Contract

The UK Garage Project is a two disc-set comprising not only of the DVD itself, but also an additional audio compact disc which includes 20 mixes from DJ/Producer Mike “Ruff Cut” Lloyd, an name held in high regard for his incomparable turntable skills and his stint with the pirate radio station, Choice FM. Running for 73 minutes and 48 seconds, the CD contains some stunning mixes of material from numerous esteemed Garage artists such as United Groove Collective, Noodles, Mills & Boom and Dub Syndicate Inc.

Also featured on the DVD are interviews with Garage DJs and an animated photo gallery which can be accessed via a DVD-ROM drive; a twelve page booklet, with a brief history on the UK Garage movement and dossiers on Masterstepz, Bobby & Steve, Mike “Ruff Cut” Lloyd and "The Specialist" MC CKP, is included.

CD Audio Component Track Listing / Running Time (73:48)

  1. Mike Lloyd Into 1 / Mick “Ruff Cut” Lloyd
  2. Millenium Funk / Noodles
  3. Nitrodust / Spitroasters presenting Robbie Craig
  4. This One / Jameson
  5. Down / Ruff Cut Bias featuring Nicky Prince
  6. Cheque One-Two / Sunship (Rockers Dub) featuring R.B.
  7. Break It Down / FRD featuring MC Pacco
  8. How I Fell / Red or Dred
  9. Hold Me Tight / DJ Lewi
  10. The Real Thing / Ray Hurley featuring Sugar Holmz
  11. Bring Me Down / Stanton Warriors
  12. U & I / David Howard featuring Jhay Palmer
  13. Glad U Came To Me / United Groove Collective
  14. Paradise 2000 / Dub Syndicate Inc.
  15. 1999 / Noodles
  16. Music Is The Key / Carl H & MC Neat
  17. Do You Better / Mills & Boom
  18. We R Family / Sunship featuring V.P.D.
  19. Flowers / Ray Hurley featuring Soul Dharma
  20. Taken For Granted / SIA

  Overall  
Contract

Expecting a comprehensive documentary on the UK Garage scene, this reviewer was disappointed and found the concept behind this title’s marketing somewhat perplexing; while I will concede that the main attraction behind The UK Garage Project will be the inclusion of its slickly produced CD, the DVD component is practically valueless, unless one wishes to regard it on its audio merits and use it as another CD. No doubt there is a market for titles such as this and its sister, Visions of Ibiza: Volume 1, but to reiterate what was said before: if you wish to indulge in the UK Garage experience, visit a dedicated nightclub.


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      And I quote...
    "Not a documentary, but an elongated music video featuring nubile women, dubious camera angles, and psychedelic computer imagery... "
    - Shaun Bennett
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Panasonic SC-HT80
    • TV:
          Panasonic TX-43P15 109cm Rear Projection
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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