Personally, I've been on Spinna's musical jock for a few years now. He is easily one of hip-hop's most inventive producers, pushing the envelope with crisp beats and melodic arrangements that have a futuristic edge, but remain accessible and deeply funky. His work with groups like Polyrhythm Addicts and The Jigmastas, and on his own artist projects, is some of the best that hip-hop has to offer. Having said all that, Raiding The Crates on first glance has nothing to do with hip-hop. This album introduces us instead, to Spinna's discerning taste in deep house. But throughout the 24 blissful tracks of this mix it is possible to fancy an insight into his musical mind, and speculate on where he gets some of his musical flourishes. Spinna takes the listener through the jazzy, soulful and uplifting realms of deep house that take in the emotive New Orleans jazz of Joe Claussell & Chuck Perkins' masterful "Jazz Funeral" alongside the airy, soulful funk of Brother of Soul's "Be Right There". The deep, organic bass of Red Hook Project's "Reflection", coupled with its bittersweet horn arrangements is another highlight. Raiding The Crates is a superior collection providing a blueprint of enthralling deep house and displaying the melodic ear and discerning taste that permeates Spinna's own production work. Damn near classic.

Courtesy of BPM magazine / DJMixed.com