Dj Scissorkicks Live Mix

Scissorkicks is synonymous for breakbeat. The big man from Essex, UK, has been around since the sub genres' inception. The British press has had a consistent and never ending love affair with the eclectic wunderkind, dubbing him 'the air to Fat Boy Slim' (Jockey Slut) and bestowing embarrassingly good reviews on his debut album, 'Video Computer System' (2wars). His vinyl releases have been no less successful. His 'Everyday Thing' EP (Plastic Raygun) was rated in the top ten for 2001, and his 'Red Skull' remix for 2wars is arguably one of the top breaks releases of 2002.

When 2wars offered Scissorkicks, AKA Anthony Chapman, the opportunity to record a live set anywhere in the world, he didn't hesitate for a second. 'I wanted to do it in Montreal, no questions asked', says Anthony. 'The energy at The Grill is second to none. I couldn't have pictured doing it anywhere else'. Those lucky enough to beat the line-up and catch Scissorkick's first ever set at The Grill, in April 2001, were treated to an amazing experience. The heat and energy were so intense that a cloud of condensation developed above the 200 revelers packed into the small club. 'I was stunned', says the tour hardened DJ. 'Hundreds of venues, all over the world, and I'd never experienced anything like it.'

So the Grill was a natural choice for the breakbeat ubermeister to strut his considerable stuff. The mandate was to get as much unreleased material and develop a live set with no touch ups, no second chances and no extraneous mixing. 'I'd be lying if I wasn't feeling the pressure', says Chapman. 'A hardcore case of red light fever.' And the nervousness was warranted. Towards the end of the set, six of Montreal's finest filed into the packed club, intent on stopping the set. 'A classic case of club harassment', says Chapman bitterly. 'Like there wasn't something really terrible going on somewhere in the city at 2 a.m.!' Like the pro he is, Scissorkicks finished the set with four flashlights aimed squarely at the DJ booth, and the cops didn't manage to foil an incredible set.

Drawing on his considerable contacts, Chapman cherry picked some of the finest breakbeat on the market, long before it hit the shelves of the local vinyl emporium. Dan F's 'Chinese Whispers' is a classic nu-skool breaks masterpiece, and sets the tone for the stomping tracks to follow. Up coming stars D-Pimp, Ian Davy and Vandal make appearances, and Scissorkicks side project Kicks & Rock also debuts on the CD. 'Seoul Warfare' is set to be an electro breaks classic, and won't be released until early 2003.