Worthless Reviews (long)


Jonathan Takagi (jtakagi@millennianet.com)
Wed, 26 May 1999 21:02:45 -0700



While counting the days till I can return
to a place not devoid of any cinematic initiative,
I listen to a few things, some better than others.
Just opinions, not necessarily correct...in fact,
I'd say they're pretty dubious.
 
V/A- Rootdown 99 (compiled by Rainer Trüby)
Any vinyl buyer not as ignorant as myself probably has
most of these tracks anyways, but if you don't, here's
a good chance to catch up. Tracklisting:
Extended Spirit- Solid Water (Rainer Trüby Trio mix)
Blaze- My Beat (Swag's Spiritual Mix)
Marcel- On the Beach (Chaser mix)
Rainer Trüby Trio- Galicia
Ian Pooley- What's Your Number? (Jazzanova Renumber)
Cujo- Apollo (Superstars of Rock Re-edit)
Jazzanova- Atabaque
Blofeld- Nexus
A good compilation of good old funky music, genres
thrown by the wayside, freely crossing boundaries.
The housier numbers are much more jazzy and palatable,
even the Blaze track (the original of which I find very
annoying) is pretty good. The entire album is quite strong.
Recommended.
 
Basement Jaxx- Remedy
Disappointing. Those that already know the old singles
will find that they fall a little short when it comes to
innovation and seem to rehash the same ideas to much lesser
effect. The newer singles, like "Rendez-vu", just seem
lack energy. The whole flamenco element seems tired and
the vocoder-ish vocals are just okay. "Yo-Yo" is alright,
again with the same type of processed vocals and nice big
bassline. The Monday Michiru track doesn't really take advantage
of her voice, and some of the more minimal tracks veer a
little too close to cheese territory. All in all, it's
competent, and fun to listen to in parts, but hardly worth all
the hype running around the UK (and which will surely also
arrive later this summer in the US). Definitely puts other hyped
albums (like the tedious Cassius LP) to shame but it's frustrating
knowing that they could have done so much better.
 
Miyazawa- The Afrosick EP
Disorient have pulled in people like Joe Claussel and Ashley
Beedle to do stuff before, to varying effects. The As One mix
of "Em Busca Da Alma Perdida" doesn't really go anywhere, but
will probably appeal to those who liked the organic sound of
"Planetary Folklore". The Rainer Trüby Trio mix of "Anjos
Irmaos" is nicely polished, happily percussive and generally
inoffensive. They could have done better. But this sense of
unfulfilled potential seems to be a running theme throughout
what I've heard of the Disorient catalog.
 
Talvin Singh- Vikram the Vampire
The Gus Gus (I think) mix is just plain annoying and the
François K. mix just boring. The understated beauty of
Singh's stuff has been dismantled by the remixers and it
just doesn't appeal to me.
 
Daniel Ibbotson- Inversions
The "Streamlines" album was disappointing in its mediocrity
but both the last 12" on Glasgow Underground ("Celebrate")
and this single are very fulfilling. This is very patient,
laidback music, more downtempo than his GU stuff, but has
a very majestic quality that massages its way out of the
speakers. Nice crisp beats ranging from smooth hip hop-ish
to latin-influenced, concise basslines and soaring strings.
Does it for me every time...very nice.
 
New Latinaires vol. 3
This must be old news to all of you, but this 12" slipped
past me. The Jazzanova mix is great, rolls along very smoothly,
juggling its funk effortlessly; I can't think of anyone who
wouldn't like this. Carl Craig's mixes are sometimes very
ordinary, especially the house ones, but this one is amazing.
It builds from a rumbling shuffle, adding the scats and strings
in such a leisurely way that you know you're in for some type
of tasty treat. The guitar comes in, the tension builds,
cools off and what could explode in a barrage of beats
is just as surprising and quite effective. Carl Craig has
expressed an interest in latin rhythms for a while now and
I like this idea. I can't wait for his new album, Talkin'
Loud seems to be really pushing it; you know, 5x10" and all.
 
Theo Parrish- Overyohead
For those familiar with his down and dirty house tracks,
closely related to Moodymann, this 12" is kind of a departure.
He changes time signatures on us and turns in a bass-heavy
headscratcher (is that 6/8?) and on the flipside gives us
some interesting piano work over a track that would have
been right at home back in the old (Chez) days of Prescription.
I like this.
 
Glen Scott- Heaven
The Joe Claussel/Jephté Guillaume mix is a perfect house
anthem, with Claussel's typical percussive background, a
touch of the old Guillaume guitar. It soars high, but
something is missing, it doesn't develop as far as it
should and loses steam along the way. 4Hero go all house
on us, with a stuttering, shifty beat that will liven up
a house set and honestly sounds better without the vocal.
The double pack is convenient for DJs, with instrumental
and vocal tracks on separate discs, so that you don't need
to buy two copies. A talented DJ could probably wreak
havoc with the 4Hero mixes, while the Claussel/Guillaume work
is probably too classy to cut up with the instrumental.
 
Femi Kuti- Truth Don Die
Very nice double pack with something for everyone. The
Jackson mix is filtered and slightly bland. The Kerri
Chandler mixes are nice and deep, would probably go well on
Spiritual Life-- if you like the Jephté Guillaume stuff
you'd like this. But the real treasure here are the
MAW mixes. The Nuyorican Soul version features the vocals
a lot more prominently, punctuated by nice saxophone stabs.
The Masters At Work mix is a little more floor friendly.
Overall this is a lovely package, excellence all around.

Ian O'Brien- Gigantic Days
*Excellent* album that explores the line between "live"
instruments and electronics. If you've heard any of his
previous stuff you know that he carries a strong Detroit
influence but really puts together interesting arrangements.
Whereas before I've found his music a little too plodding
and dark for my taste, this release is much more fresh,
melodic and sophisticated. If you thought stuff like Jimpster
was good, this is way better.

Labradford- E luxo so
Not really a-jazz related, but everyone should be able to
appreciate this. Finely textured and melancholic, music
for intimate and lonely moments.

V/A- Soundbombing 2
What can I say? This is selling like mad all across the nation,
even if it is playing everywhere you go, that can't be a bad
thing. While some of the artists still fall into hip hop clichés,
the big stars keep them coming...so nice to hear Bahamadia with
Talib Kweli, her track on the Lyricist's Lounge CD is great
except for the *ANNOYING* Jane Doe. Mos Def is seconds away
from world domination and the Beat Junkies do their thing...

Jonathan



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