So Ibiza is havin' it not so large these days now that the Cyprus resort of Aiya Nápa is drawing in the gurning 18-30 club-hopping crowds. Of course, this means we can expect a whole new slew of compilations this year-- each will again offer the same tracks from such musically diverse artists as Moloko and ATB. The same big-name DJs will disavow all knowledge of being at Pacha or Manumission (well, at least till their revivals take off) and cry out that Aiya Nápa is the bangin'est scene since... well, ever!

Not every DJ is a moron, though. Some DJs don't give a gnat's chuff about which Mediterranean destination has the most scantily-clad disco dollies. In fact, some DJs love a style of music, and only wish to extol the virtues of their passion in reverberating dens. These DJs don't hop bandwagons. Richie Hawtin is one such passionate fellow. And as such, his spinning career looks to be overtaking his Plastikman/FUSE identity. But then again, when Hawtin spins, he doesn't just cue up one 12" after another. Each record he plays is, in effect, an instrument to be incorporated into the greater whole.

Decks, EFX, and 909 is a towering statement of Hawtin's ability to combine hard techno wax, effects pedals, and a Roland 909 drum machine. He utilizes the cream of the genre (Richard Harvey, Jeff Mills, Surgeon, Vladislav Delay) and creates an even more formidable futuresound than the source artists ever imagined. It's as though Hawtin's taking DJ Shadow's ...Endtroducing into new territory. A graph is even supplied with the disc to illustrate how Hawtin blends the album's 38 tracks together.

But be warned! Decks, EFX, and 909 is minimal and tough. However, if your tastes are more educated than the average sun-tanned gurner, and you wouldn't balk at a compilation devoid of arm-raising anthems, you're just the type of receptive head Hawtin wants to play to.

-Paul Cooper