_____________________________________________________________________
THE MIGHTY BOP - La Vague Sensorielle LP (Yellow Productions, France)
The word 'jazz' in the context of electronic dance music has caused a lot
of problems for some listeners. Where the classic concept of 'jazz' emphasised
musicianship and improvisation as skills, this new electronic 'jazz' only seems
to possess the skill of syncing the correct sampled loops together. However,
when you view the electronic music world and the acoustic music world as two
separate entities, things make more sense. Jazz was always the renegade side of
acoustic music, blending the elements of all that came before into a quirky,
freeform mix. So, in electronics, one could say that this new 'jazz' is to the
usual, unalterable dance and compositional formula as acoustic jazz is to rock
n' roll. 'Electronic jazz' is the "anything goes" of electronics... it is a
melting pot of many styles. There are no rules besides the necessary presence of
groove.
France's The Mighty Bop laid down this concept in the title of his first
EP, Les Jazz Electronique. Now, with the debut LP La Vague Sensorielle, The
Mighty Bop proves his case beyond all doubt. Electronic manipulation of sampled
sounds and loops mixed with synthesized instruments create a jazz that is both
challenging and accessible. The ten songs here are experimental realisations of
an abstract dance beat, much better than what most of the Mo'Wax crew has tried
in that same vein. Check out "Le Voyage" with its insistent hip hop swing and
housey synthesized tones... strategically placed vocal samples add soul where
you would think there should be none. "Vibrations Mystiques" appears here in a
remixed form, "old school" beats replace but are used in a way much too subtle
for the average beathead. But the effect is indeed a "mysterious vibe". Amazing!
Rapped vocals appear on "Freestyle Linguistique" care of EJM. His raps are fully
in the 'French Noveau' style, but in mostly in English to add a touch of
internationality. The human element amidst the electronic rhythms adds more to
the Mighty Bop's style... he creates music ('jazz') of the future, a cyborg of
humanity and machine energy fused together. Hooray to the Mighty Bop. This is
most certainly a stunning first album.
-Michael Donaldson
______________________________________________________________________
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Mixin' EP (Revco Records, UK)
One label, four bands, and four different flavors for the earholes. Rudiment is
up first with a very pleasing mid-tempo instrumental jazz jam. Horns, organ, far
away ethnic-ish vocals, and a flute play around an insistent bass and drum line.
A nice breakdown throws in a bit of the dub for good measure. Ultravibes drop a
faster, Latin-tinged cut. Almost on the Japanese/Latin tip, but with enough live
instruments thrown in for a free-for-all feel. Danish hip hop producer Jacob
Salmon delivers with his project Salmon Man. Catching a bit of the abstract,
this has a slow, almost Krush- like beat and a gentle saxophone line. The choice
of the litter. Lefroy are last, giving a feast of UK funk and beatnik rap.
Probably the weakest of the tracks, Lefroy's "No Present Like The Time" is thin
in production and contains a relatively uninteresting rap. These tracks are
supposedly coming from a future compilation CD also called Mixin'. Judging from
this sampler, the compilation should be incredibly diverse and a solid listen.
Check this for the new 'tude.
-Q-Burn
______________________________________________________________________
FUNKI PORCINI "It's a Long Road"/"Poseathon" 12" (Ninja Tune)
LONDON FUNK ALLSTARS EP 12" (Ninja Tune)
Being veteren scientists of studio groovology doesn't seem easy, but it
must come as old hat to Coldcut and the Ninja Tune crew. A slew of releases, a
licensing deal in the US with Instinct Records, an innovative regular radio
spot, and a foray into the world of computer networking all keep these folks
busy. But the quality has not been anything but top notch with nary an
exception. These latest two twelve inches (with tracks coming off the mind
blowing Ninja Tune compilation Jazzfunktrickology) are outstanding examples of
what has been the Ninja-norm. Funki Procini's "It's a Long Road" is one of the
dreamiest jazz hop tracks I've heard in a while. Far out there vocal drops, a
trancey (as in 'dream-like') keyboard line, saxophone from heaven, and a "cool
man!" bass mix together to dazzling perfection. "Poseathon" is the DJ's choice.
Clocking it at 100 BPM, it is heavy, dancable, and contains some dialogue about
naked models. What more could you ask for? London Funk Allstars give the
impression of a collective working the Ninja Tune formula into a 70's-style funk
jam. "Funky Sweater" is the standout. Vocal shouts, saxophones, and dubbed out
drums keep the listener guessing just what is real and what is sampled. Hip hop
production techniques only enhance the dancefloor feeling. As Ninja Tune has
been averaging about a release a week lately, this standard level of quality is
admirable. I'm tempted to tell you to grab anything with their stamp on it. If
you're not that adventurous, hit these two twelves with your wallet... you will
not be dissapointed.
-Michael Donaldson
______________________________________________________________________
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Pussyfoot 004 12" (Pussyfoot UK)
A phat new twelve from Pussyfoot giving us a look at three acts operating
on the Howie B. plane. Sie, engineer for Mr. Bernstein, strikes first as Sie and
N:M Ratio. The agenda is electronic funk on "Deep Blue". Flowing lush strings
and science fiction atmosphere give way to a driving headnodding dub fest.
Vintage synthesis and underwater echoes put the tune into heavenly overdrive.
Beautiful. No Apology are the closest to the jazz hop realm satisfying all the
heads with the meatiest of the beatiest. Dig the stand up bass line and the
bubbling percussion... messin with the massive! Howie B. himself materializes
for the explicit "Groove Hard Sex". This is explicit as how the title gives
meaning to this low down n' dirty funk stomper. In a perfect world, this would
be the preferred jeep beat soundtrack. But, as imperfect as our enviornment is,
we still have Howie and the Pussyfoot crew hitting us with these stunning 'left
foot' gems. Kickin' the abstract, y'all!
-Q-Burn
______________________________________________________________________
Reminiscence Quartet
'Ritmo Brasilieiro'
Yellow Productions (France)
A pleasant little spot of wax, I must say. DJ Desmond K. filters his
bossa and samba loops through hip-hop bouncing off the buildings outside,
Kurtis' acoustic and electric guitars breeze through the curtains every now and
then, nonsense jazz-scat vocals pop in to say hello for a bit, Mario Jauregui
adds just enough percussion to make Tito Puente order another tequila, S.
Jalier and F. Poulet paint the walls with some nice pastel Rhodes and horn work,
and somewhere in the back M. Figuereira nails the bass boards to keep the room
airtight. Pop this on the next time someone special is coming over for drinks
or you can't make it to Rio this weekend
-Pimp Daddy Nash
______________________________________________________________________
SCHKOONK! - Apres La Pluie EP (Plug It! Records, France)
Another French hip-hop group delivering rhymes on the Eiffel tip!
Unfortunately, to these English-comprehending ears, the raps really don't stand
out unlike familar Frenchmen Solaar or Menelik. The music is the bright point,
care of DJ Kurser on turntables and sampler. Check the title track which floats
into funky ambience at the tail end. "Les Amants De M-J" has one cool piano line
and some beats o' phatness. When the instrumental cut "La Revolte Du K.", hits,
you know this Kurser guy's a talent. Some abstract motion going down and a
totally funkin' flute from Human Spirit's Malik. If you're into the French
scene, check this for sure. Be prepared, though, for the music to bowl ya over,
not the foreign raps.
-Q-Burn
____________________________________________________________________
SOUL POWER MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 1909
Orlando FL 32802
PH: (407) 420-4669
FX: (407) 246-0580