OK, let's be honest. Who the hell needs mix-CD's? And those listeners who get their kicks off them are hopeless cases anyway. Of course, there are a few exceptions to the rule, like me and Dixon. He mixes them and I listen to them. And just because each one is so perfect, I'm not ashamed of myself - an exploited and underpaid PR-slapper - to welcome you to the wonderful world of "Off Limits".

Over the last few years, Dixon's been the man for special missions, creating exceptionally deep remixes for the likes of Attica Blues, Atjazz, Femi Kuti and Jazzanova. And thank god that with all the DJ work he has to do (i.e. touring from Tokyo to Miami and back to East Berlin), he simply has no time to offer us any superfluous music.

We should give credit to Dixon for only ever releasing DJ mixes that have something new to say both in terms of new and exclusive tunes and general vibe. The time has come again to hear this man out. "Off Limits 3" is simply a new chapter in Dixon's musical diary. It reflects his return to the path of enlightenment, leaving the percussion-fusion hype behind and returning to "real house" with visits to both Detroit and the realm of 80's boogie.

Dixon wouldn't be Dixon if he only features the artist of the moment like Soha and Morgan Geist. The guy always digs deeper. He gives tunes a justified second chance, like "Coax" produced by the techno giants John Tejada and Titonton Duvante. He re-edits tracks with his Midas touch -- check "They Can't See Me" by J. Rawls. He also highlights stars of tomorrow like Âme and Ayro; and mixes French new-wave house by Chateau Flight's with an homage to Kraftwerk by Detroit hip-hop legend and A Tribe Called Quest producer Jay Dee.

It's all streamed into one unique, sensible flow that builds bridges, blows your mind, and gets to where every mix-CD should: the point.

It's all Off Limits, but not for you.

Cornelius Tittel