From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-03-29 13:06:38
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 27th March 2004.
Thanks to Nik Weston, Sarah at Favouritizm, Tammy at Magnum PR, Cosmo, Lofty at Chillifunk and Tash at Exceptional for these…
12” selection.
Lonesome Echo Production feat Mutabaruka – Spirit Of Drums (Sumo Remixes) (Disorient). Release Date: 26th April 2004.
Sumo employ their trademark Afro-housed vibe on this pair of dancefloor enthralling re-rubs for the mighty Lonesome Echo outfit. The ‘Afro Bounce’ version sees a fanfared afro-brassed intro make way for hi-speed guitar strums and slaps, Africanism style intricate drumming and commanding vocals. The ‘Rebounce’ places a strutting guitar over tension-building percussion and a subbed-up bounding bassline.
Stash – Fools Good (Bitches Brew)
Cat No: BITCH008. Promo.
Stash show that you can make guitar based electronic music in a modern feel that can give a nod to Balearic idealism, but can still cut it on the dancefloor. The original is a fuzzy synth-addled affair, with a kind bass guitar and kit-based percussion. Justin Robertson’s Revtone Mix gives the beats a little more urgency, enhances the glow of the synths and adds some nasty bass crashes.
Ultra Naté – Feel Love (Chillifunk/BluFire)
Cat No: 12CF066. Release Date: 19th April 2004.
After a notable absence, the majestic Ultra Naté returns with a stunning slice of East West Connection produced future soul. The original sees gorgeous grooving keys line up alongside a silky guitar and Ultra’s idyllic romanticising vocals. Blaze’s ‘Shrine Vocal Mix’ is twisted jazzy synth based version, with sprightly beats, key sweeps and simple bass groovement. Lofty’s ‘No Tenshun’ remix is the pick of the uptempo versions, where a low-down bass partners delicate percussion and electrifying keys. The final mix, by Liquid People, is based around some attention holding keys.
Da Lata – Can It Be? (Palm Beats)
Release Date: 19th April 2004.
Easily the highlight of their multiculturally conscious second artist album, “Can It Be” may not quite have the hip-shaking appeal of the single “Serious”, but it is more likely to make a lasting impression. The ‘Album Version’ lets barely believing vocals and soothing guitars ride sticky fractured percussion. Hot production outfit Spiritual South’s ‘Future Boogie Mix’ is the version for the dancefloor, courtesy of some banged out beats, compressed synths and some psychedelic keys. Da Lata’s own ‘Shelly Mix’ is not a tribute to a sometime Reel People vocalist, but named after a miniscule string instrument that contributes jumping strums to this wobbly synth-addled version.
RIS – Love N Music (Relish)
Cat No: FOR10616. Release Date: 12th April 2004.
Originally an early 80’s discoid stormer, this cut has been updated and spruced up by Relish label boss Manhead. His version sits an expertly manipulated guitar on top of carefully treading percussion and a pressurising bass. The ‘Bad Neighbourhood’ interpretation is for the more conventional DJs, who prefer well-presented beats, wide-eyed synths and beaming retro keys. The original is also included, with its hypnotic keys, shaky guitar and theatrical vocals.
Plej – Blue (Exceptional Records)
Cat No: EXEC 38. Release Date: 29th March 2004.
Sitting at the leftfield end of the deep house table, Plej get the once over here from a perfectly suited electronic music visionary, Akufen. His ‘A Different Shade Of Blue’ mix sees dazed keys hook up with metallic percussion and bass rustlings. The original is a pillow-soft breathy number, with weightless percussion, shapely keys and crooned vox.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
reviewer and writer for the following
websites and magazines: Blues & Soul Magazine,
FACT Magazine,littleplanet.net, City Life Magazine,
XLR8R Magazine, Keep On Magazine, Exposed Magazine,
pitchadjust.com,
beyondjazz.net, Store Records(Sheffield),
cratertechnology.com,
deephousenetwork.com, offitsface.com, Sandman mag,
funk-me.com,
Vanguard online, quadrastate.co.uk,
beats.to,
universalsource.co.uk,
Inner Loop Magazine, housemuziq.com, undergroundhouse.net, worlddj.com,
mosoul.co.uk, discotribe.net, flygarictracks.com,
skansen.no, nwdnb.co.uk
planetsoulnetwork.com
allaboutdj.com
mundovibes.com
clubbity.com
audioharvest.org...
Testpress-Announce Yahoo Group
Deepness Yahoo-Group
Housemuziq Private Yahoo Group
Writer for:
Brique Rouge, Exceptional Records,
Foreplay Recordings,
Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
Spiritual Life Music and more...
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