Phases and Stages

D:FUSE

People 3: Both Sides of the Picture.Live (Moist Music)

Whither electronica or wither electronica? That's the question, and to his credit, Austin's D:Fuse manages to answer both questions and one other: Why buy live DJ compilations instead of simply heading out to the club? Not much reason, actually. D:Fuse, now quite admirably mixing live percussion into his already excellent deep-house output, is in full funky fettle here, minus the necessary club trappings of swarms of sweaty betties and hazy dancefloor lustings. It's a lonely experience listening to this in your living room with only the dog giving you the eye. Disc One, recorded at Club Might in San Francisco and subtitled "People Clubbing," is the more hyperactive of the two, going so far as to mix in some old-school My Life With the Thrill Kill Cult track ("Days of Swine and Roses") – not surprising since D:Fuse started out in the industrial outfit Culture Industry back in the day. It's disc two, "People Chilling," recorded at Austin's Lift Club, that's most memorable, though. Smooth and creamy beats as thick as sun-warmed toffee swirl alongside more animated tracks like J-Punch's ethereal "Red Blood" and Pasha's sensual uptempo closer "Island Breeze." Is it live or is it Memorex? Ask the dog. At least she's dancing.