Diplo

This disc was originally set to include the jewels in Diplo's glittering crown: MIA's "Paper Planes," Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" -- collabos along that line. So it's not as spectacular an entry into the world of Diplo as it could have been, but it's still a rollicking look at a producer who rarely lets his nomadic musical tastes overtake his ear for a danceable groove. Here he is, remixing Philly comrade Spank Rock; there he is, producing for Brazilian favela funksters Bonde Do Role. Turn around and he's cozying up to garage rockers Black Lips. Promiscuous? Yes. And a lot of fun.

After years of finger-on-the-pulse underground work, Philadelphia DJ Wesley "Diplo" Pentz
just picked up a Grammy nomination for producing M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." That song shows
up on this retrospective compilation — in remixed form, natch — along with a load of
original electronica and rejiggerings of Spank Rock and other indie acts. You can quibble
with the track list: Some arty blip-and-glitch drags things down a bit, and there's... More >