From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-07-22 22:09:21
Jon Freer’s Reviews 21st July 2005.
Singles:
Blackbeard – Holding On (Uptown Safari)
V/A – Credit To The Edit Sampler Two (Tirk)
Six Cups Of Rebel – Arp She Said (Feedelity)
Thievery Corporation – Revolution Solution (Remixes) (White)
Kenneth Graham – Premonition EP (Magnified)
Leo Mendez Group – Lasal (Swag Remix) (Love Monk)
Community Housin’ – The Names For Steph EP (Flygaric Tracks)
Deepswing & Redsoul spotlight Donna Washington – Celebrate (Generate Music)
DJ Love – All The Way (Air)
Redcarsgofaster – Sanctuary (High Voltage Sounds)
Thanks to Blackbeard, Greg Wilson, Scott at Tirk, Lindstrom, The Thievery Corp, Ben at Magnified, Spacey at Rude Movements, Steve at Flygaric, Deepswing, Alchemy PR, Paul Allen and Rich at High Voltage for these…
Blackbeard – Holding On (Uptown Safari)
Cat No: Jungle 01. Available Now.
After spending a couple of years releasing cheeky bootlegs and legitimate rehauls of other people’s records, the chisel-jawed swashbucklers famed for their foot dragging soul-soaked revisions finally get round to putting out their own compositions. “Holding On” as re-edited musical maestro Phil Asher is a strutting dancefloor banger, with swiping beats, darting brass and unsettling vocals. “Do What You Want” talks of the street, over juddering keys, nervous strings and an ever so woozy bass. “To Be Free” is an unapologetic number, where tasty jazz guitar flexings are joined by raw piano keys and rough-assed drums.
V/A – Credit To The Edit Sampler Two (Tirk)
Cat No: TIRK 012. Release Date: 8th August 2005.
Greg Wilson keeps up the re-edit pressure with another dose of cut-up, cut back and respliced mixes taken from the forthcoming CD only comp of the same name. Mr. Bloe gives us “Groovin’ With Mr. Bloe”, where a soaring harmonica and law laying down keys get down with Sir Bloe. There’s an awful lot of echo work on Greg’s version of “I Feel For You”, as Chaka Khan’s realisation making vocals go back and forward over a grooving sax and marching beats. The sinister bass on Yello’s fine “Lost Again” will disorientate even those with a good head for directions!
Six Cups Of Rebel – Arp She Said (Feedelity)
Cat No: Feed 005. Available Now.
Remixer de jour Lindstrom eases down the tempo for this slow-burning four piece, released on his esteemed Feedelity imprint. “Gentle As A Giant” sees a sullen bass and wise chords create grooves that stumbling keys pass over. “Temperert” sees a sick sounding bass and face screwing up synths line-up against effortlessly cool bass guitar touches. “Arp She Said” is a relaxed beauty with thoughtful acoustic guitars and gazing into the ether synths, whilst “Kontroll” sparkles courtesy of its radiant synths.
Thievery Corporation – Revolution Solution (Remixes) (White)
Cat No: REVMASH. Available Now.
Hot on the heels of the legal release, comes a pair of illegitimate overhauls from NY, released on a mysterious 7” white label. “Revolution Solution Vs Marmalade” is the A Side track, where non-secular organ keys, unflinching heavy drums and weird synths take control. The superior “Revolution Solution Vs Serge Gainsbourg” on the flip side sees dancing guitars and in line percussion support the pondering vocals.
Kenneth Graham – Premonition EP (Magnified)
Cat No: MAG 004. Available Now.
Graham takes it deeper on this technically spot on and rather touching EP for the Magnified imprint. “Prior Engagement” sees an undulating bass, heart-racing keys and clear-thinking drums hook up for a tasty musical date. “Premonition” gives a taste of the future, courtesy of some bright-eyed keys and wind-swept whistling synths. “Black Magic” is a slow-stepping number, with string led intrigue, echoing dub-type keys and focused beats.
Leo Mendez Group – Lasal (Swag Remix) (Love Monk)
Cat No: LMNKV11. Available Now.
The Leo Mendez Group get a much needed kick up the posterior from Sheffield House gods Swag. Acknowledged as miracle working groove reconstructors, Brown and Duckenfield don’t disappoint with the surgery they’ve peformed on the Leo Mendez Group. Stunted beats, coarse synths, a sleazy bass and fluctuating keys hook up on the Steel City duo’s fine reinterpretation.
Community Housin’ – The Names For Steph EP (Flygaric Tracks)
DOWNLOAD ONLY RELEASE. Available from www.stompy.com
Conry vents his anger for an untrustworthy and robbing ex on this bitterly titled straightforward four tracker, which he has put together with his Community Housin’ partners. “Liar” is a downward focussing keyed up number, whilst the wrathful bass on “Thief” will singe many a pair of feet on the dancefloor. “Bitch” pits an upturned bass against falling keys as “Evil” rounds off the EP with some industrial synth action and rough assed beats.
Deepswing & Redsoul spotlight Donna Washington – Celebrate
(Generate Music). Cat No: GM 018. Promo.
Gospelly tuned vocalist Donna Washington is back to give more praise with the spirit-lifting “Celebrate”. The original places a frothing bass and snazzy keys under the large-lunged Ms. Washington’s positive vocals. Airex’s ‘Classic Piano Mix’ is a slightly more refined version, with pounding beats, dreaming keys and rejoicing flutes. Redsoul’s ‘Cellar Dub’ filters the edges of the beats, before friendly keys and a madcap organ take over the party.
DJ Love – All The Way (Air)
Cat No: airfix 003. Available Now.
Holding out a candle for both B Boy posturing Hip Hop and powering nu-skool breakbeat, DJ Love’s tunes occupy a niche that lies midway between both. “All The Way” sees athletic beats battle it out with mischievous synths and an intimidating bass. “Underground Funk (Original 1999 Mix)” lets a stealthy bass do its thing alongside measured breaks.
Redcarsgofaster – Sanctuary (High Voltage Sounds)
Cat No: HV07 004. Available Now.
Whether this fact has been scientifically proven or not remains to be seen, but this Leicester based five-piece are most certainly on the up, regardless of the automobile they’re driving. “Sanctuary” sees Redcarsgofaster’s vocalist attempt to come to terms with the loss of his safe haven, over well to do strings, angered guitars and running drums. The guitar-driven furore on “Without Measure” threatens to engulf both the battered drums and vexed vocals on this record.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Mo'soul Publicity: Variety of services offered:
contact for further details.
*Freelance journalist.
Publications include -
Keep On Magazine
Blues & Soul Magazine
XLR8R Magazine
City Life Magazine
Inner Loop Magazine
littleplanet.net
pitchadjust.com
beyondjazz.net
deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!