While 2007 may have been the year of Daft Punk, 1997 was when the seed was planted in our collective consciousness. The French duo dropped their stellar debut album, Homework, and spent the better part of the year on the Daftendirektour touring in support of it. Alive 1997 captures a performance from Birmingham's Que Club on November 8th of that year. The sense of energy and excitement in the crowd is palpable, and it gives you a sense of an the impact that Daft Punk had while on the tour. There are elements of "Daftendirekt," "Da Funk," "Rollin' & Scratchin'" and "Alive" from their Homework album, along with pieces of Armand Van Helden's "Ten Minutes Of Funk" remix of "Da Funk." You get a little taste of what would become "Short Circuit" from Discovery, as well. The whole thing is all mixed together into two continuous tracks for maximum impact. Whether you were there or not Alive 1997 will take you right back to where it all started.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes sticker sheet
• original release year: 2001
• music label: Daft Life 2022

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 1/2015