From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-04-01 16:02:25
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 1st April 2004.
Thanks to Jeff Mills, Andrea at Freewheelin’ PR, Ian at Bosh, Sarah at Favouritizm, Tammy at Magnum PR, Nicky at Phuturetrax, Tanya at Salsoul, Ben Mynott and Racheal at Beechwood Music for these…
Long Players
Jeff Mills – Exhibitionist (React)
Cat No: REACTCD245. Available Now.
Famed for the explosive nature and raw energy of his sets, “Exhibitionist” captures the true spirit of a DJ set from Jeff Mills. As engaging as his previously well heralded Liquid Rooms CD selection, the speed at which he works is breathtaking. The occasional slip-up is actually welcomed, as it adds a level of reality, which is often missing from studio recorded mixes. Jeff contributes roughly half of the music on this mix, whilst the other suppliers hail from all corners of the globe. Using and abusing nearly a half century of records, this CD displays the versatility of Techno. Oscar Mulero’s ‘“B2” from CR007’ is a deeper than deep outing, with a comatose bass, submerged percussion and wavy keys. John Arnold’s “Respectful” is a gorgeous flute-centric outing, where beautiful Latin keys and neat percussion back the vivid flutatious warbling. Jeff’s own “The Bells” tolls louder than many of his other cuts, as irresistible keys, a cold-hearted bass and jacked beats meet!
. Put together as an audio-visual documentation of the whole DJing experience, the accompanying DVD sheds a great deal more light on how Jeff operates.
Various – In-House Perspectives 02 (Inspirit Music)
Cat No: INH002CD. Available Now.
This 2nd volume from Andy Caldwell contains a stronger selection of music than the first of this series from Inspirit, one of the few UK imprints championing vocal laced deeper House. Combining favourites from the label alongside other key recent releases, this set shows that Deep House is still alive and thriving. The Martin Solveig Remix of ‘Madan’ by Salif Keita is a joyously melodic afro houser, with strength giving percussion, nicely touched up chanting vox and cool guitar flexings. “Make It Mellow” by Demarkus Lewis combines swaying keys, lovely strings and dependable percussion in an irresistible manner. The Beard feat Amma’s “Keep Hoping” is a wonderful vocal spirit-lifter, and here, Andy’s own mix adds a pert analogue bass and understated string loveliness. A first rate mix compilation.
Various – Loveslapped 3 (Loveslap)
Available Now.
One of the most productive names in the business, Jay J takes time out from laying down beats at Moulton Studios, to round up some of his recent faves. Similar to “In-House Perspectives 02” on Inspirit, fellow San Franciscan Jay-J serves up a choice selection of recent House grooves. Llorca’s ‘NYC Late Walk Mix’ of Miss Mee feat Jiney & Mizzey’s “Surprise Me” is first rate vocal House for the 21st centaury, with passion instilling keys and dueting vocals that declare their love. The Soul Planet Jazz Ensemble’s “Sugar. Baby, Darling”, in ‘Jazzstrumental Mix’ form, is a smooth honeyed journey, where rising keys meet a heavenward looking flute and a slightly too nice sax. The Beard’s “Keep Hoping”, here in original form, wishes for a better future, as a casual guitar links up with believing keys. Perhaps not quite as brilliant as volume 2, this is still another quality compilation, nonetheless.
Various - Salsoul Pres. Disco Funk Flavours (Salsoul)
Cat No: SALSA 005CD. Available Now.
Whether ‘disco-funk’ is actually a definable genre or not, is probably not of a great concern to the compilers or prospective buyers of this compilation. Whilst there are a few questionable inclusions, there are also some tip-top retro funked out cuts here. Skyy’s “First Time Around” is a seductive mover, with firework-type FX, blurred keys and shrieking synths. Loleatta Holloway’s “All About The Papers” remixed by Bobby ‘DJ’ Guitardo reminds kids to stay in school, over opulent guitars and glamorous strings. “Take Some Time Out For Love” by the Salsoul’s mighty Orchestra demands that the issue of love should be addressed even in a hectic lifestyle, alongside frustrated guitars and pleading brass. Not quite in the same league as ‘My Salsoul’ selected by Danny Krivit, or the compilation of Larry Levan remixes, this CD set still shows the breadth of musical excellence the label has to offer.
Fragile State – Voices From The Dust Bowl (Bar De Lune)
Cat No: LUNECD32.
Their first long player was a horizontal display of warming downtempo grooves and whilst this one sees them move in a slightly more vertical direction, they’re still not standing up by any means. This time they’ve gone for more emphasis on the percussion alongside orchestral conscious melodics. “600 Bliss” moves along lazily, courtesy of stumbling keys and demonstrative strings. “At Last” pits fragmented chords and simple keys against troubled strings and medieval flutes. “Train Time” waits at the station for fuzzy strings and tuneful keys to carry them to their destination. This is another relaxing selection for lovers of un-offensive grooves. I’m not sure about the sponsorship on the stylish packaging, though!
12” action.
Notenshun feat. Sandy Mill – Soul Music (Chillifunk)
Cat No: CF065. Available Now.
The luxurious vocal tones of Sandy Mill provide a perfect complimentary constituent to the sweet ear-bathing production aesthetics of Chillifunk’s towering label boss, Lofty. The ‘Danism Remix’ is a silky outing, with faultless keys, praising strings and a delightful bass groove. The ‘Back In The Day Mix’ is retro toned, but not backward looking, as lovers keys ride alongside smiley strings and a heaving bass. The real treat is the ‘Listen Now Deepness’ version, where ever so soft percussion, cascading keys almost whispered vox combine on an ocean-bottom reaching journey.
Magik Johnson – Dirty (Bosh)
Cat No: BOSH 1231. Release Date: April 2004.
Not to be confused with the similarly named Basketball star of the 80’s or a D&B artist who made his name in the 90’s, this is a sensible floor moving outing from a New Zealand based former Manc. “Dirty” isn’t particularly unclean or risqué, with its slightly comical horns, apocalyptic brass and warped keys. The ‘Jazz Mix’ of “In The Loop” sees key mumbles partner a looped up and live dabbling sax, over ripping synths. The original is a simple roller, where attention seeking keys meet a shallow bass and horn touches.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
reviewer and writer for the following
websites and magazines: Blues & Soul Magazine,
FACT Magazine,littleplanet.net, City Life Magazine,
XLR8R Magazine, Keep On Magazine, Exposed Magazine,
pitchadjust.com,
beyondjazz.net, Store Records(Sheffield),
cratertechnology.com,
deephousenetwork.com, offitsface.com, Sandman mag,
funk-me.com,
Vanguard online, quadrastate.co.uk,
beats.to,
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
clubbity.com
audioharvest.org...
Testpress-Announce Yahoo Group
Deepness Yahoo-Group
Housemuziq Private Yahoo Group
Writer for:
Brique Rouge, Exceptional Records,
Foreplay Recordings,
Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
Spiritual Life Music and more...
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