Louie DeVito

DJ's like Louie DeVito get shorted when it comes to recognition. Paul Oakenfold might get superstar attention for spinning his Euro-based trance, but folks like Louie DeVito weave together the American mainstream's equivalent without much notice. NYC Underground Party, Vol. 5's poor packaging and generic title won't do much to correct this, but DeVito's talent is on display throughout. This isn't the underground where the techno fringe or the drum and bass-faithful dwell. DeVito's underground refers to the sweaty clubs where disco holdouts still live, and labels like Strictly Rhythm and Subliminal rule. Mainstream names like Amber show up, but so do the tasteful Deep Dish. There's a moment during Rhythm Gangsta's "The Crowd Song" where a woman tells the story of being at a club but remembering nothing but "a song that goes like this." Her comment is followed by ten seconds of static that builds anticipation before a gargantuan hooky beat comes in. It works, and it's a moment that's equaled elsewhere, and definitely a moment missed by the hipster electronica crowd that avoids DeVito's work like a Michael Jackson Thriller jacket. There are bonus tracks that mix all the songs together in under five minutes. Skip those silly additions and enjoy the rest of DeVito's lighthearted party. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide