[acid-jazz] Reviews

From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-06-09 17:05:24

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    Hi to all on the list. I'm Jon Freer, from Manchester, UK, and I am a freelance jounrlist, DJ and biology student! This is my first post, and by why of introduction, I thought I'd send a few of my recent reviews. I will send all my future jazz-related reviews to the list. See signature at bottom of this email for a list of who I write for.

    regards,

    Jon

    PS If anyone out there has anythnig they'd like me to review, please get in touch.

    Ellen Mcilwaine & Yukihiro Fukutomi – Born Under A
    Bad Sign (Routine)
    Cat No: 001. Release Date: 16th June 2003.
    Japanese broken jazz master Mr. Fukutomi hooks up
    with distinguished vocalist Ellen Mcilwane for some fast
    and furious cosmic fractured jazz step business. Ellen’s
    thankful vocals take center stage over happy sunflower
    keys, optimistic string and beauty space synths on the
    vocal version. For those not keen on her folky tones,
    there’s also an instrumental included, where idealistic
    strings, bumping bass guitar and positive outlook keys
    meet.

    Interns featuring Snowboy - It’s About Time (Chilli Funk)
    Cat No: CF 056. Out Now.
    Soulful DJing icon Bob Jones gets down for a Jazz
    dance with the fervent Latin master Snowboy, and the
    results are staggering. The original version takes
    upfront drums, cool as ice yet gorgeously wild keys, a
    blasting high trumpet and twisting into knots sax to
    create a rip-roaring modern jazz-house escapade. The
    ‘Stripped Down Version’ sees dressed down
    percussion, melting keys underpin an approachable
    dancing sax and frolicking trumpet. Snowboy’s
    ‘Alternative Take’ sees a swooning synth take over the
    show, as a trumpet roars, guitar bubbles and sax
    swings.

    Cosmo Presents Ch’i feat Billie Godfrey - Mistaken
    (Bitches Brew)
    Cat No: BITCH 005. Promo.
    This project may have sat around for a little while, but we
    must be thankful to Cosmo & Nikki Lucas’s multi-faceted
    concocting imprint for finally making it available to all.
    ‘Mistaken’ is a romantic tale of a love spurned, where
    Billie’s hurt vocals lie atop dramatic strings, relaxed
    stepping percussion and sultry keys. Alix Alvarez gives
    it the silky gliding house treatment, courtesy of reliable
    beats, devoted keys, flawless strings and Billie’s
    sorrowful vocals.

    Various - CS 12 Inches (Cosmic Sounds)
    Cat No: CS-30. Out Now.
    Cosmic Sounds is a wonderful London based imprint,
    who show that Nu and traditional Jazz have no problems
    being bed fellows. This compilation takes their
    wonderfully cutting edge 12” output and makes it
    available on CD for the first time. Da Vibez boys re-
    shape Archestra One & Nina Miranda’s “Train To Machu
    Pichu” and take it to a Brazilian carnival, where it shakes
    it out with the rest of them, courtesy of swaggering rolled
    percussion, upbeat whistles, a queasy synth and a full of
    life sax. So Hayashi links up with Nova Express on
    “Swing In Mediation”, where laidback textured
    percussion, gleaming keys, playful brass and
    heavenward reaching strings combine wonderfully.
    Label boss Zeljko Kerleta provides an awesome re-edit
    of Dusko Goykovich’s “Quo Vadis Samba”, whose
    inquiring saddened vocals, mammoth bass and
    spellbinding brass question and answer duet lift this
    above the rest. Stylish past, present and future jazz.

    Chosen 2 – Get On Up / To Be Free (Do Right!)
    Cat No: DR 004. Released this week.
    Jamiroquai’s lukewarm money driven jazz-funk
    butcherings were about as impressive as their lead
    singer Jay Kay’s posturing and stupid hats. However,
    their drummer Nick Van Gelder proves he has talent,
    with this awesome two-tracker of exuberant nu soul
    covers. “Get On Up” commands you to leave the bar
    and rush to the floor, courtesy of heavenward gazing
    synths, an ecstatic guitar, push up brass and a soft touch
    melting bass. “To Be Free” dreams of emancipation, as
    a driving bass propels a relaxed lead guitar and
    gorgeous brass slides all over the show.

    Hand Polished – So Sudden (Do Right!)
    Cat No: DR 005. Release Date: 2nd June 2003.
    Canadian imprint Do Right look closer to home for their
    fifth release, a delightful brokenfunk outing from
    Toronto’s Ray K. The original sees a bad tempered
    storming bass run things under squeezed synth slurps,
    forced keys and solemn brass. Quantic amazes as
    expected with his ‘New Soul Mix’, complete with
    crashing percussion, brass echoes, haunted flute and
    overbearing bass. Hand Polished’s own ‘Hand In Hand’
    revision is a happy go lucky varied percussive feast,
    where a crushing bass, fluorescent keys and a
    disappearing synth add extra flavour.

    Reel People – Second Guess (Papa Records)
    Cat No: PAPACD 001. Release Date: 7th July 2003.
    After chalking up a fine array of 12’s on the impressive
    imprint, Reel People combine those tracks and some
    more, for their debut long player. Bringing in a whole
    host of incredibly talented musicians and vocalists on
    board, Reel People represent the tangible face of
    ‘soulful’ house. “Can’t Stop” is an emotive display of
    amorous feelings, courtesy of affecting strings, a
    meandering bass groove, textured beats and touched
    brass. “Back 2 Base” is a slouchingly percussed
    number, with a funked up laying low guitar, sweet brass
    and enthralled vocals. “Butterflies” sees vocalist Dyanna
    honestly explain how she feels alongside vulnerable
    piano keys, building broken drums, tender synth and a
    romantic flute. Crossing tempos and genre lines ease,
    “Second Guess” is an infectious spirit lifting celebration
    of love and happiness.

    Bakura – Reach The Sky EP (Especial Records)
    Cat No: ESP 008. Release Date: 2nd June 2003.
    In demand beat constructor Domu hooks up here with
    skilled musician Marin for a samba inflicted Star Wars
    inspired cosmic outing. “Reach The Sky” heads for the
    stars and a meeting with Darth Vader, courtesy of lilting
    percussion, motivating vocals, a beaming guitar and
    some outer-planetary synth action. Domu’s own re-rub
    uses the force to create a rude little bass monster,
    whose reflective keys, solid breaks, waif-like strings and
    off balance FX gel perfectly. “Razzmatazz” is a shiny
    happy synth-string combo, where tingling keys use a
    light saber to ward off erupting breaks and a mysterious
    bass. “Love Of S.i.e.l.” is a b-boy infused sci-fi cut, with
    lurching beats, a starry-eyed synth, resonating cinematic
    strings and ripped up vocal appearances.

    Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_housemuzak.com)
    reviewer and writer for the following
    websites and magazines:
    littleplanet.net, vybemuzik.com, XLR8R Magazine,
    Keep On Magazine, pitchadjust.com, cratertechnology.com,
    City Life Magazine, 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...
    Writer for:
    Brique Rouge, Foreplay Recordings,
    Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
    Spiritual Life Music and more...

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