From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-09-17 15:01:38
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 13th September 2003.
Thanks to Nik Weston, Anton at Trailer
Media, Nic Conef, Nick Lawrence & Cosmo for these...
Sexophone – Beyond The Boundaries / Empty Papers (Music
Conception)
Cat No: MUCO 12 – 011. Release Date: 22nd September 2003.
A complete opposite to the sample heavy floor filling driven nu-
school sound, Sexophone’s breakbeat led compositions are driven
by an real appreciation of melody and spirituality. The real gem on
this release is “Empty Papers”, with its meditative vocals, hip not
hop percussion, melancholic tingling keys and whispering synth.
The other cut on this EP, “Beyond The Bounday”, with its lulling
chords and cluttered drum wobbles unfortunately lacks the life and
magnetism that “Empty Papers” possesses.
Slow Didi – Circle (Music Conception)
Cat No: MUCO 12-12. Release Date: 29th September 2003.
This 5 track debut EP from Slow Didi shows he has his fingers in
many pies. However, his true talents only become apparent on the
last recording of the EP, an unstoppable thrilling teched out House
cut. Named “Circle” (Single Version), the track is an absorbingly
passionate composition, with poking beats, flashing sirens,
shadowy bass, idyllic strings and a surprisingly effective electric
guitar solo.
Tantan – Dopesnotfunkae (Head To Toe)
Cat No: TOE 009. Release Date: 29th September 2003.
Head To Toe continue to build their reputation as one of Italy’s
finest forward thinking broken breaks driven imprints, with this
rough and ready release from Tantan. The original takes insolent
hammering beats, cold hearted keys and a dirtied analogue bass,
before heavenly chords hit two thirds of the way though, and show
the track’s kind-hearted side. Cuica’s remix is pallid by
comparison, as heavy limbed beats attempt to move, a building
guitar bubbles and chords attempt to appease throughout.
Hundred Strong – Gone Fishin EP (Altered Vibes / Battersea Park
Music)
Cat No: AV 009. Promo.
Def Harmonic rappers hook up with esteemed Bristol based
producer Ben Dubisson, and the results are impressive. “Brain
Busy” sees a trio of MC’s worry about the general populace getting
too bogged down in issues concerning their own life to notice the
bigger picture, over a bare live bass, expert scratching and raw live
percussion. The ‘Warsaw Ghetto Mix’ of “Sword Lies Broken” is a
fractured jazzed out gem, with moody chords, enthusiastic smoky
flute, eastern brass and an affecting bass.
S.U.M.O. – Ntujjo (Switch Bitch Remixes) (Bitches Brew)
Cat No: BITCH 006. Release Date: 26th September 2003.
Afro-inspired Housiness is the flavour here, on the Bitches remixes
for those plump Swedish wrestlers (well that’s one interpretation of
their name anyway!). The ‘Switch Bitch Afro-Tech Remix’ sees
Sammy Kasule’s light-toned vocals sit atop regal brass blasts, a
brewing bass and militant edged percussion. The Instrumental is a
stuttering percussed affair, with lofty brass and a sub-edged silky
bass. Not the strongest release so far, but a distinctive floor filler
all the same.
Mettle Music – Capture (Bar De Lune)
Cat No: 12LUNE09. Release Date: 13th October 2003.
One of the strongest cuts from their wonderful new “Moodswings”
LP gets the single release that it deserves. Chris Lum’s ‘Frisky
Mix’ takes plain hit chugging percussion, a thoughtful rich bass
groove, sweeping strings and a bouncing synth to produce a
slightly more dancefloor friendly revision. The original is divided
into two, with the first part offering the honest guitar and golden
shining keys alongside Virginia Barrett’s emotive vocals. Part 2
sees the beats get going, as cavernous bass action, pained violins
and flashing FX give the track an almost dubby feel.
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, knowtheledge.com,
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, nwdnb.co.uk
planetsoulnetwork.com
allaboutdj.com
mundovibes.com...
Writer for:
Brique Rouge, Exceptional Records,
Foreplay Recordings,
Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
Spiritual Life Music and more...
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