You may not have heard of DJ Harry. The name is more evocative of someone you’d find spinning at the local bar on 2-for-1 margarita nite. But in the dance world, Harry’s shared tables & phones with the likes of Doc Martin, DJ Dan and Mark Farina, so you can say adios to those discount margaritas... Another thing about Harry- (and this is what elevates this DJ’s CD so far above those who come out with mix CDs that seem to scream "Let me show you what I’ve done with my record collection!!") He’s a producer, arranger writer AND musician. And, he’s based in Boulder, Colorado. ...Boulder?? Yep, you wouldn’t expect a progressive house album like this to come out of Boulder, Colorado; then again, you wouldn’t expect a house music DJ who’s prior claim to fame was "The String Cheese Remix Project" to come up with an album as sophisticated as "Collision". 2001’s String Cheese only hinted at where Harry was heading- the funkified monster of "Collision" shows what he’s truly capable of after absorbing as many influences as there are here. The album opens with the title track, a bass-poppin’ dance-a delic party favor that pours the funk on thick and saucy with all the right moves to keep it interesting. Sliding seamlessly into "Tragedy In Blue", there’s a hint of downtempo as electric piano and a haunting synth line take over. It wasn’t until the 3rd track, "Monkfish", that I realized the similarities to William Orbit here, both in style and production. Snippet guitar lines interplay with melodic percussive elements that seem to zip in and out of the nether-regions, all building to a jazz-jammy climax of sorts only to fade away. It’s not only house music, it’s head music too! The real blow-away track on "Collision" is the only real song with lyrics, "All My Life", sung by Lisette, who’s voice resembles a laid back jazzy Bjork with a hint of Beth Gibbons. The reason why the song works so well is that it flows beautifully and effortlessly. The hook washes over you before you even realize it. Haunting and memorable, it has all the potential of a Sneaker Pimps’ "Six Underground" to become one of those classic little numbers that make you stop and say "whoa, who’s that?" By the time the mode of the music changes, you’re well into the next track subtly ushered in on a cloud of vibes. Throughout the rest of "Collision" Harry keeps the party going with a jazz-funk infused stew of great musicianship- standout guitar playing, groovy rhythms and heady electronica that jams into the wee hours. Be warned- if you don’t care for funky jazz, and prefer music borne out of the darkness, then you might want to steer clear of Harry’s place. But if you can dig that funky vibe, then you must be on a Collision course with the most refreshing progressive house-electro jazz hybrid I’ve heard so far this year.