I'll cover Future Soul here:
This is a collection of progressive acid jazz. Most of the tracks feature
a nice smooth bass line plus some vocals.
Sugar Lump, Freakpower: This a respectable showing - I personally can't stop
thinking of the Housemartins ... mainly a percussion, bass loop with flute
and electronica over the top plus an occasional annoying voice-over.
The Plan, Outside: Outside are great. This is great. But you should get
the album and this is an album version. They should have included one of
the remixes that exist here. A happy song with a great melody. An example
of where a childrens choir really works. Food for the soul. (How wide
is the universe ... ?)
Survivor, Mr Fingers: I don't really know this group but this is a nice song.
A simple song, driven by a piano plus voice.
Ride, Nightmares on Wax: Nightmares on Wax are AMAZING. Everywhere they
show up they are the business. This is no exception. There is this infectious
bassline that hits the mark. I wish I could hear this with a real sound system
that pours out the bass. On top of it is this delicate female vocal
and undercurrents of melodies move in and out of view. Can't say enough good
about it.
Tidal Wave, Bomb the Bass: How can you follow that ... with this! I can't
point to a better lead in. It is simple - but that's the beauty of it,
before you know it the pounding bass is more insistent and the vocal
cleaner. And there it is - Tidal Wave. Love that tune.
Searching, Nobukazu Takemura with Dee C Lee: A change of mood comes with this
one. The guitar takes over and the bass softens but the melody is great.
More your bossa brava scene.
Summertime Breeze, Larry Heard: Why is this song 7:40 long? The first
3 minutes are muzak. There is no hiding this ... then suddenly the keyboards
sort themselves out and are joined by a bass line that makes you swing.
Not bad. I wish I program my cd player to jump to the good bit. (The only
thing about the first three mins is that they make the nexy bit seem great).
All I have (Original Musiquarium Mix), Young Disciples: What a great cut.
If you can't get the album, or the EP, you have to get this track. Carleen
Anderson's vocals are so honest and the rhythm great. Why is this song
only 10 minutes? I want it to last forever (almost!). As an aside, the Road
to Freedom is the classic acid jazz album. On the topic of UK rap, listen
to MC Mello on the last track. He covers me in goose pimples. Unrepentant,
raw, perfect delivery ... what an end to what must be a work of art.
Friendly Pressure (Paradise Revisited Mix), Jhelisa: A great remix of a
great song. Jhelisa has the voice as well - must be in the family.
The bass is tweaked up for the remix and the vocals have a reverb in places
the result is niiiice.
So as you can see, some weaker songs in amongst some classics. But one of
the better aj comps I have seen for a bit. I like what Quango have done
here - with the reservations above. (Sorry I took up so much space)
bijan