From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-06-12 16:28:40
Jon Freer’s Reviews 12th June 2003.
Thanks to Nik Weston, Steve at Timewarp, Paul Nickerson, Joaquin Claussell and Jake at Counterpoint for these...
Max Sedgley – Happy (Irma On Canvas)
Cat No: IC 209. Release Date: 30th June 2003.
Incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist Max dons his production hat and gets down for some soulful jazz-styled grooves on Italy’s coveted Irma On Canvas imprint. “Happy” is an eager to please number, with lofty toned looped up vocals, nudging strings, funked-out show-off bass and hornet-like buzzing trumpet. “Two Way” sees cosmic synths explore, fractured percussion clap to the beat and incredulous lovestruck vocals pay tribute.
Forss – Soulhack (Sonar Kollektiv)
Cat No: SK006CD. Available Now.
Forss prefers his beats more fragmented than most, and this debut full-length offering demonstrates his love of touching textures and feeling-laden grooves as well as a weakeness for b-boy styled broken percussiveness. Raw inventive sampling, a short attention span and an ear for superior beats makes this a rewarding yet frustrating offering from Forss. “Funk For Nerds” sees traditional piano keys line up alongside a poking guitar, varied smash and grab percussion, trumpeted blasts and a purring subby bass. “Using Splashes” makes its own waves courtesy of low slung percussion, an unapproachable bass, amazed smiling keys, cutting guitar and propelled taut synth. “Characteristics” is one scatchaholics, with its kind-hearted keys, trumpet parps, frowning beats, and mind-bending scratches. A unique journey fusing computerised electronics and souled vibes.
3 Generations Walking - 3 Generations Walking (Spiritual Life Music)
Cat No: SLM CD 362. Available Now.
Linking together the past, present and future, MKL and Soy Sos present us with a thought-provoking full-length offering. Visiting a variety of tempos and styles, this self-titled album pays respect to the rich tapestry of life. “Skin” is a gorgeous intricate housey number, with jagged layered percussion, embracing strings, melancholic keys and an eloquent electric guitar. “To Live” sees an excited trumpet and flugel horn duo show their worth alongside a spirited guitar, mournful strings and gentle keys. “Feed” is a craving vocal number, whose nourishment comes in the form of a ghostly bass and wandering strings. Organic life giving goodness from the heart.
The Baker Brothers – Ten Paces (Arse Records)
Cat No: BIGARSE 001. Available Now.
Whether they own a bakery or not remains to be seen, but they certainly cook up a satisfying funkified meal. Talking a slightly more retro stance and amusing approach than Quantic’s QSO project, “Ten Paces” is eleven strides of Robin Hood title inspired grooves. “Little Suns” is radiant little number, with beaming keys, demonstrative strings, contemplative guitar and appreciative scratched in vocal cuts. “Barrington’s Groove” sees a mad sax sit atop live bongoed percussion, dependable brass and catchy guitar licks. “Breathing In” is a more relaxed number, where pouting beats, melting keys, flawless strings and manipulative bass movements combine. Straight up retro future funk business!
Fertile Ground – Remixed (Counterpoint)
Cat No: CRCD019. Release Date: Next Week.
The full collection of retouches has been in the pipeline for a while, and the series of limited 12’s has shown people an idea of what this collection will offer. Giving Fertile Ground a more dancefloor orientated make-over, the talented producers involved in this project have managed not to remove the life-giving soul touching goodness that is so important to the Baltimore based collective. Gucciman uses gorgeous keys, understated fragile percussion, cool guitar additions and glamorous brass to create a commendable re-jig of the nature embracing “Let The Wind Blow”. “The Moment” is revisited by Seiji, who gives the collective a West London rub-down, courtesy of an acid dipped bass, insistent breaks, flash keys and stretched brass. New Zealand’s Ebb overhauls “Star People”, as those filled with wonder vocals anticipate alongside peaceful strings, a partly visible bass and hoping keys. This is a collection to transport Fertile Ground from the bars and chill out sessions t
o the more discerning dancefloors of the world.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_housemuzak.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...
Writer for:
Brique Rouge, Foreplay Recordings,
Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
Spiritual Life Music and more...
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