Various Artists BUZZIN’ FLY VOLUME ONE (Buzzin’ Fly/Astralwerks)

During the spring of 1998, Ben Watt (the male half of Everything But the Girl) unveiled "Lazy Dog," a weekly nightclub event at the Notting Hill Arts Gallery in West London. Six successful years and two groove-packed compilations later, Watt has started his own underground imprint, Buzzin’ Fly. This debut compilation expands the Lazy Dog formula without altering its essence. Brimming with nostalgic gestures from ’70s AM-radio disco and ultra-melodic ambient soul, it proves Watt can be trusted behind a turntable and in front of a console.

Watt gravitates toward percussive, heavily syncopated rhythms that incorporate Latino sensibilities and sophisticated, jazz-tinted grooves; the disc is most appropriate when spun late at night. Drawing from a blend of exclusive 12-inch releases and a handful of favorites, he begins with the irresistible attitude of French-Portuguese production trio Rodamaal’s "Musica Feliz" and follows with the Solveig vocal dub of Soldiers of Twilight’s "Believe," both huge English club hits. Disguised as Sananda Maitreya, Terence Trent D’Arby heads up "A Stronger Man" with sexy saxophone phrases and a hearty vocal showing. Watt saves the best for last with Cue’s "Dreaming of You" (featuring deliciously layered crooning from Lisa Marie Bonilla built over an infectious wah-wah pedal loop) and his own ultra-serene "Night Flight" remix of Low’s "Tonight," with the carefree sentiment of Deep House Soldiers’ "This Is Why We Dance" nestled between.