From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2003-09-17 15:02:25
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 16th September 2003.
Thanks to Sarah at Favouritizm, Nathan Haines, Phil
Asher, Jake at Counterpoint, Dom Servini, Nik Weston,
Caroline at Soma/Fenetik, Steve at Timewarp and
Anton at Trailer for these...
Nathan Haines – Squire For Hire LP (Chillifunk)
Cat No: CFCD010. Available Now.
Less clubfloor orientated than his debut offering for
Chillifunk, “Squire For Hire” once again exposes
Nathan’s talent as a multi-instrumentalist and also shows
his roots as a Jazz musician. Under the watchful
guidance of Phil Asher, this LP is set to break further
boundaries, offering a little something for everyone. “O
Misterio” features the wonderful Guida de Palma, who
craves for a special someone, over string-led theatrics,
soft flute and good as gold keys. “Doot Dude” is without
doubt the standout dancefloor orientated cut, as Lyric L
gets all caught up in the chance meeting with a stranger,
while swooning keys, shifting beats and smudged
fattened bass provide the backdrop. “Let It Go” sees
Rich Medina come on like a Gill Scott Heron for the 21st
century, as his conscious soul-searching vocals link up
with a true sax, cajoling trumpet and percussion that
rocks back and forth. If you’re looking for an album full of
“Earth Is The Place” style floor fillers then just buy the
singles. This album is a mature genre-crossing
personal offering from Nathan.
Various - Jazz Bizniz 3 Reworks (Counterpoint)
Cat No: CRS019. Available Now.
After the success of the original “Jazz Bizniz 3” LP, it
seemed only right that a couple of the star cuts get re-
tooled by forward-thinking beat merchants. While every
‘super cool’ DJ and journo wets themselves over Yam
Who’s latest illegitimate R’n’B re-rub, this 12 shows they
can turn out an official reinterpretation in style, too. Their
remix of Dwayne Morgan’s “Everything” is an intense
spiritually aware escapade, with a crazy outer-space
sent synth, gorgeous steel band tinkerings, no nonsense
beats and enticing strings. While Raw Fusion’s Beat
Fanatic get to grips with Tata Vasquez’s “Suite
Guaracho” and bring us a carnival rump shaker, courtesy
of mesmeric Latin percussion, irresistible charming
keys, sax madness and a vocalist with their head in the
clouds.
Rosie Brown – Bliss (Wah Wah 45’s)
Promo.
Distinctive Jazzy vocalist Rosie Brown gets down for
some wondrous future-soul business on this release for
Dom Servini’s sought after Wah Wah 45’s imprint. The
original sees a guilty Rosie attempt to come to terms
with a night of hedonistic pleasure between the sheets,
backed by a strong yet malleable live bass, unflinching
breaks and deadly honest acoustic extra’s. Will
‘Quantic’ Holland sharpens the percussion and slips a
hardline live bass and grooving keys under Rosie’s
smitten tortured vocals.
Sidewinder – Resolution (Fenetik Music)
Cat No: TIKCD001. Release Date: 6th October 2003.
Alan Bryden aka Sidewinder doesn’t seem to really care
what category his impressive compositions fall into.
Combining a fine knowledge of how to get the most out
of electronic equipment with a bevy of talented vocalists
and musicians, “Resolution” is an assured an
impressive debut. “The Adventure” sees a lazy
strumming guitar, attention grabbing sax, ice cool vocals
and smiley keys debate the future. “Less Than
Effortless” puts in the work to create a classical/future-
jazz soundclash, courtesy of refined strings, heaven sent
synths, roughened breaks and energetic brass. “Plain
Song” is an emotional number, with teary-eyed keys,
fearful strings, a sliding bass and slow burning brass.
Soma’s stylish younger sibling comes up with the goods!
Various - Sun Ra Dedication (Kindred Spirits)
Cat No: KS 003. Release Date: 29th September 2003.
This mystical compilation of left of centre Jazziness
celebrates the life of Jazz genius Sun Ra. It features ear-
splitting numbers alongside some outstandingly beautiful
music. Recloose hooks up with key master Jonathan
Crayford on “Paepulsariki”, a cut of mind-numbing
beauty, with its crazy synth warbles, morphing bass,
clickety travelling beats and wind up music box type
keys. Alex Attias gives us a vision of Armageddon via
“Nuclear War”, as vocalist Mustang visualizes the
aftermath, over careless angry broken percussion,
smooth keys, a hard as nails bass and crashing gongs.
Offworld transports Vanessa Freeman to another world
on “Astro Black” where she reports of the beauty of her
surroundings, alongside buttery keys, a lingering bass
and FX sprinkles. The quality and diversity of artists
shows the extent of Sun Ra’s influence on modern day
producers and musicians.
Lotek HiFi – Percolator (Big Dada)
Cat No: BD059. Release Date: 22nd September 2003.
Ragga-2-step-Indian-Hop anyone? Lotek HiFi blast
away the competition with a wee 7” of massive
proportions. “Percolator” takes slightly Bollywood-
sounding blinding strings, 2-3 step percussion, warped
keys and a moody subtle bass, as MC’s praise the herb.
The ‘Percolator Refill’ with Wayne Paul and Aurelius is
an inviting party styled re-hash, with boastful strings, a
growling bass and dubbed up inebriated woodwind
action.
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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