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