From: Wesley (wesleyc_at_cox.net)
Date: 2003-04-11 09:03:49
Reviews :: Calm, Choro Azul, Little Tempo, Aflex Combo, Take Me
Aosis,...Mondo Grosso
Calm has a new album (and a 4 EP series)--release is being kicked off
with an exhibition showing of the album's art work which was done by
Fuji Tajiro. other big jazz names are involved in the record: Double
Famous, Nozaki Ryota, Sleepwalker,...
if you're not famliar with a few of the names below, you probably know
some of their related work: Little Tempo worked in the studio with UA on
at least one occassion, and countless other respected acts; Aflex Combo
is actually Watusi, one-half of Japan's trip-trop noir Coldfeet. and i
previously posted a Metropolis review of Choro Azul's album.
and did you know Osawa Shinichi (Mondo Grosso) did Nakashima Mika's new
single!? an improbable collaboration. suddenly a carbon copy
mainstream star is now sounding amazing--a truly swinging, bouyant gem
backed by a wonderful jazz ensemble and lush stringwork... sounds like
Koop or Orange Pekoe kicked up several notches. (the single also
features a remix by Fukutomi Yukihiro.)
-Wesley
-- source: Dusty Groove Calm featuring Moonage Electric Ensemble -- Ancient Future . . . CD Lastrum (Japan), 2003 Gentle magic from Calm -- one of the group's most sophisticated albums to date, and a wonderful blend of sounds, shapes, tones, and colors! The album's got a really naturalistic feel, one that's as evocative as it's title -- and which seems to draw music up from the soil in a journey towards cosmic wisdom and knowledge. There's not only a host of jazz and world music influences at play, but also a clear line back towards some of the more space-oriented musical improvisers of past decades. Packaged in a really lovely way, too -- and featuring the tracks "Under The Midnight Sun", "Still Dreaming", "Space Debris", "Light Years", "Peace", and "The Teachings Of Nature". http://www.dustygroove.com/newgroovescd.htm#68783 Choro Azul -- 2 Dois . . . CD, LP Vinylsoyuz/Chordlary (Japan), 2003 A bit Brazilian, a bit jazz vocals -- put together with a spare sound and an acoustic finish -- making for a nice album of gentle pop songs that reminds us of the best of the jazz-influenced British underground of the early 80s. That's not saying that the sound here is retro, but just kind of takes us back to a time when groups like this could express themselves simply, without showing off, or feeling that they needed to totally master a genre. There's a bit of Tracey Thorn in the singer's style -- or maybe even a bit of Ann Quigley, from Kalima, if that's not putting too fine of a reference on it! Titles include "Let Me Be The One", "Yaffa 1110", "Deep Forest", "Somebody Else's Guy", "I Don't Mind Getting Wet", and "A Girl In The Cage". http://www.dustygroove.com/newgrooveslp.htm#69333 Little Tempo -- Musical Brain Food/Children Of The Night (10 inch single) . . . 12-inch Speedstar (Japan), 2003 Dubby wonderfulness from Japan's Little Tempo -- a mix of bassy beats, echoey production, and these cool little keyboard touches that almost have a whistling feel. There's also some mad strings and steel drums to clunk things together and make for a nice noisy edge -- and a good take on the "The Good The Bad & The Ugly" theme! "Children" is slower -- and dubbier! http://www.dustygroove.com/prip/7/7/61877i.htm Aflex Combo -- Dazzling/Deep Within You/Latin Thing (orig, Watusi rmx) . . . 12-inch Perfect Toy (Germany), 2003 The first single on Perfect Toy -- and a wonderful bit of jazzy beats! The single has the freshness of some of the first Compost records we ever heard -- a warm blend of classic jazz influences with modern abstract production. All tracks sport some really nice keyboard work -- electric and acoustic -- with a solid jazz-based solo approach that makes the tunes dance along with a heck of a lot of soul. "Latin Thing" is our favorite -- and the cut's got the heavy soul jazz feel of a classic Ramsey Lewis/Richard Evans single! http://www.dustygroove.com/prip/8/2/68528i.htm Various -- Take Me Aosis -- A Nite Out In London Compiled By Nik Weston . . . CD Aosis (Japan), 2003 A great collection of modern tracks playing big on the London scene -- put together by Nik Weston, one of the city's current tastemakers! The range of grooves here is really wonderful -- with a lot more jazz and soul influences than you'd expect, especially hearing some of the broken beat and electronic work coming out of the city lately. There's actually also a lot of work by Japanese artists as well -- showing how the bridge between Tokyo and London is stronger than ever, allowing some truly great underground acts to reach expression on global proportions! Titles include "Speed Of Love" by Seikou Nagaoka, "Salty Or Sweet" by Jazoulster, "Descarga Pa'ti" by Ken Morimura, "Shi Wa Zu" by Rie Akagi, "After The Dance" by Yukhoh Kusunoki, "Leiloca" by Pamela Driggs, "Saturday (inst)" by Paris Match, "New Steps" by Res, and "You Don't Know What Love Is" by Osamu Koike. http://www.dustygroove.com/newgroovescd2.htm#70205 -- The Eclectic Sounds of Japan [Sound :: Lounge] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoundLounge