From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-08-02 14:02:45
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 2nd August 2003.
Thanks to Tammy at Magnum PR, Rithma, Nik Weston, Sarah at Favouritzm, Lofty at Chillifunk, Tom at Lex, for these...
Alton Miller – Stories From Bohemia (Peacefrog)
Cat No: PFG044CD/LP. Release Date: 29th September 2003.
He doesn’t have a profile as high as Detroit innovators such as Derrick May and Carl Craig, however, this long player shows that Alton, a DJ of celebrated status, has forged his own distinct sound. “Songs From Bohemia” focuses on deeper grooves in a vein similar to that of the Moody one and fellow maverick emotion manipulator Theo Parrish. “Something For You” is a generous offering, with cymbal pointed live percussion, troubled synths, stunning keys and appeasing strings. “No Goodbyes” tearfully refuses to let go, as spine-chilling synths, inflexible beats and slanted brass wedges combine on an emotion-drenched number. “Take Some Time” sees Alton vocalize his intentions follow his dreams and urges you to do the same, over rhythmic percussion, spirit-lifting synths, perfect chords and a ghostly bass. The trouble with this collection is that many cuts are influenced by similar ideals and utilise similar instrumentation. However, when the compositions are gorgeous as these
“Songs From Bohemia”, it is not a major problem.
Rithma – Music Fiction (Om)
Available Now.
After building up an enviable discography via releasing 12’s for a varied selection of labels, “Music Fiction” finally drops. Demonstrating an impressive understanding of music and a refreshing sense of humour, Rithma’s debut is a wonderfully dazzling wide-ranging album. “Love & Music” displays a passion for all forms of music, courtesy of stepped beats, muted show-off trumpet, wobbling bell shaped keys and a touching acoustic guitar. “The Return” finds things have changed on the homecoming visit, courtesy of close-knit b boy fashioned percussion, a magical day brightening guitar, absorbed keys and bass shadows. “I Don’t Mind” reassures, as luxurious keys float and an expressive synth washes over all. This is a breathtaking unique album from one of California’s brightest stars.
Dois sampler 1 (Disorient)
Cat No: SUSHI 45. Release Date: 25th August 2003.
Folloowing on from last year’s “Ichi” (one in Japanese) compilation, the second volume of the worldwise series is understandably “Dois” (two in Portuguese). IG Culture contributes a roughly percussed remix of Monday Michiru’s “Chasing After The Sun”, with edgy business meaning strings, grandiose electric guitars, optimistic staccato vocals and bad tempered bass action. Social Material’s “Class” is an expressive key-led escapade, where varied percussion, a warped callous synth and stormy stretching bass provide the support.
T.Kolai – Congo (Chillifunk)
Cat No: CF 059. Release Date: 28th August 2003.
Taken from their wholesome “Teak All Eye” album project, comes “Congo”, an awesomely deeper than deep journey. The ‘Vocal’ sees melancholic vivid strings take centre stage, as afrocentric percussion, melodious faraway vocals and a winding guitar combine underneath. Fragile State’s ‘Main Mix’ gives “Congo” a polish so it loses a little of the emotiveness of the original, but nursery rhyme keys, waxed vocals, evocative strings and a heartfelt flute take it somewhere equally as enchanting.
Lexoleum (Lex)
Cat No: LEX 002. Available Now.
After dropping a series of three aesthetically and aurally pleasing 12’s over the period of a year and a third, the tracks in question have been collected for this CD only releasing on Warp’s younger sister imprint. Lex is a freethinking Hip Hop label that follows the path they’ve carved out for themselves, in a similar way that Warp do in relation to Electronica. Peaches & Mignon’s “Cassanova” offers fantasy inspired x-rated manic aural gratification, courtesy of waving strings, harsh bass thrusts, 80’s power pop synths and rolling keys. Madlib’s “Untitled” cut offers a snapshot of an unconventional church/cult, with unambiguous sitar twangs, distortion heavy crushing beats, good-as-gold strings and bass movements. Supersoul contributes “Sri”, an electro tinged stop-start percussive cut, with an amazingly rich guitar and effortlessly cool bass additions. This album shows where UK left-of-centre Hip Hop is at presently.
Jon Freer(jon-freer_at_excite.com)
reviewer and writer for the following
websites and magazines:
littleplanet.net, City Life Magazine, XLR8R Magazine,
Keep On Magazine, pitchadjust.com, beyondjazz.net
Store Records(Sheffield), cratertechnology.com,
vybemuzik.com, Steel Press, deephousenetwork.com,
offitsface.com, Sandman mag, breakevencrew.com,
overloadmedia.co.uk, funk-me.com, Vanguard online,
quadrastate.co.uk, spaced.co.uk, hotwatermusic.co.uk,
beats.to, housecollective.org, capitolvibes.com,
www.selekta.com, djriri.com, universalsource.co.uk,
Inner Loop Magazine, housemuziq.com, undergroundhouse.net, worlddj.com,
mosoul.co.uk, discotribe.net, flygarictracks.com,
skansen.no,
planetsoulnetwork.com
mundovibes.com
nwdnb.co.uk
allaboutdj.com...
Writer for:
Brique Rouge, Foreplay Recordings,
Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
Spiritual Life Music and more...
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