Duck Sauce – Quack (Album Review)

Since platforms and discoballs NYC has been hustling the globe with latest and greatest party grooves. Firstly DISCO was lovingly clasped within its iconic concrete fingers with clubs like the ‘The Loft’ and ‘Paradise Garage’ cosy-ing up to its debauched sexual liberation and beats. As DISCO went worldwide NYC regrouped and campaigned for the liberation of disco loops and 808 beats, before long the revolution was in full swing as looped up grooves spread faster than Hot Dog and Bagel stands. DJs became superstars and one half of Duck Sauce was right in the middle of it all.

So with all that in mind is Duck Sauce’s tongue in cheek debut LP ‘Quack’ peking awesome or musical fowl play?…..

Opener ‘Chariots Of The Gods’ sets the tone with its french touch type groove tipping its hat in the direction of Scott Grooves –

Mothership Reconnection and Sebastian’s –

Ross Ross Ross whilst Bjorn & Benny aka Abba apply the finishing touches. The volume is already creeping up as an impromptu house party starts to take form……dont forget the red cups!

Lights are being dimmed, parents are away for the weekend and the punch is already being spiked by some local miscreants, when in steps Charlie Chazz & Rappin Ralf. The thinly veiled smoke filled lounge stills as the DJ shuffles through his records and prepares to drop his opening tune. As the beat sneaks in like a teenager out past his bedtime we are fighting for the right to party all over again as early Hip-Hop tussles with a sprightly Thomas Bangalter.

‘Its You’ sounds like a Moby tune from his ‘Play’ days, only pitched up and possessed by an EDM squeal. ‘Goody Two Shoes’ pummels you into submission like a seasoned pro as its unrelenting combo of vocal looping and french touch filtering draw an 8 count before ‘Radio Stereo’ pumps you back up Rocky style. Fist pumping, anything is possible now, the American dream is alive as sharply cut trumpet blasts and slap bass instantly remind you of a time where adversity could always be overcome with a coming of age adventure and the right girl.

‘Anyway’ marks the half way point and reminds us that despite 5 years on from its original release that Duck Sauce were onto something. NRG shreds into view, before being stopped sharply in its tracks for an Eric Prydz, Armand Van Helden face off as ‘Call On Me’ meets ‘

My My My‘. ‘Everyone’ may as well be a Chromeo track as David Macklovitch, one half of Chromeo, unleashes his typical croon about Girls and their bittersweet taste. ‘Ring Me’ complete with ringing phone sample expertly pastiches late 90′s chart dance, think

Mousse T, whilst the now familiar groove is as incessant as your Ma when you haven’t done your homework. ‘Barbara Streisand’ is still a peak time party monster whilst its follower ‘Spandex’ is quickly forgotten as album highlight and closer ’Time Waits For No One’ subtly changes the pace; encouraging one last attempt to sweep THE girl off her feet with the last dance of the night.

The lights snap on, the music is hastily switched off, friends scarpering in all directions…….parents are home. Party is over.

Rating 8.5/10