George Is On

2005 could well be Deep Dish's most successful year yet. The Grammy Award winners belatedly following Junk Science, their acclaimed 1998 debut, with a collection of songs that owe much to dance music's current obsession with rocky guitar riffs. Although, to be fair, Ali 'Dubfire' Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi, the uncompromising Iranian duo, are pretty much responsible for that trend following their breakout pop smash "Flashdance".

"Say Hello", with vocalist Anousheh Khalili's ethereal delivery is set against a backdrop of classical piano chords has further fuelled their chart statue, while the forthcoming re-issue of their top 10 production of De'Lacy's "Hide Away" will further stoke their coffers.

Despite initially being pigeonholed as deep-house producers, the Washington-based duo have never allowed their music to be dictated by fads or trends; their sound now encompassing a multitude of genres similarly reflecting their varied multi-faceted tastes.

From the rocky "Sacramento" with Richard Morel, via the electro fuelled "Everybody's Wearing My Head" to the twisted house of "Dub Shepherd" complete with the Celeda-esque charms of Janis Leahy. There's even folksy beats ("Awake Enough"), melancholic interstellar ambience ("In Love With A Friend"), and cinematic soundscapes ("Sergio's Theme").

Elsewhere a timely guest appearance from Stevie Nicks on a stirring cover of "Dreams" - this album's Tracey Thorn and "Future Of The Future (Stay Gold)" - will appeal to Radio 2 listeners as much as ardent Ibiza clubbers.

While most of Dubfire and Sharam's productions have an epic, grandiose feeling, the duo's knack for tight programming and genre blending has carried them above many of their dance-chart compatriots. As with their debut, Deep Dish have made and succeeded in their conscious effort to move forward musically with a consistent album that's anything but a collection of club tunes. --Jack Smith

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The first new studio album from Deep Dish since 1998's release of Junk Science, George Is On features 14 new studio tracks including the amazing dancefloor filler "Flashdance". "Say Hello" is set to follow in its footsteps. The album also features an interpretation of "Dreams", which has been rerecorded with Stevie Nicks herself. There are also two tracks with long time collaborator Richard Morel, and further appearances from Anousheh Khalili - the vocalist on "Say Hello" and "Flashdance".

CLASSIC ALBUM