Keoki
Jealousy
Moonshine
Despite the notoriety that is often attached to his DJ sets and lifestyle, the self-proclaimed “superstar” DJ Keoki has found the time to record the follow-up to his 1997 debut full-length, Ego Trip. The reception was iffy for that record. But the opening, Daft Punk-ish title track on his latest sees Keoki adhering to the same rave aesthetics that he helped propel in the 1990s. But alas, it is the 21st century, and with derivative, happy-scrappy house cuts like “Smile” and “This Ain’t No Disco” recalling the vibe of years past, Jealousy often lacks the innovation that would garner him more respect.
But, alas, it is Keoki’s party that we are subjected to, and for just ten tracks, it is quite a long one. As with his DJ mixes, Keoki’s original productions are much more suited to the club environment. Still, he finds the time to drop in a few pleasant surprises so you’ll stick around a bit longer, as evident on the electro-funk bump of “Rush” and the ’80s breaking throwback “Veronica.” But signing off with an uninspired cover of “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood might have sealed this record’s fate. Jealousy does have its moments, but in a field where so many talents exist, this emotion could be Keoki’s way of responding to his own creative inabilities.
Moonshine Records, 8525 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, http://www.moonshine.com
