From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-04-11 18:26:04
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 11th April 2004.
Thanks to Nik Weston, Tammy at Magnum PR, Bozz, Them Toerags, Caroline at Soma and Filip at Wallys Groove World…
12” Action
Gerardo Frisina blends Sabu Martinez & Sahib Shihab (Schema)
Cat No: SCEP 381. Release Date: 17th May 2004.
Italian nu-jazz don Gerardo Frisina pays his dues to a pair of inspirational Jazz heroes on this 12”, which is ideal for both the dancefloor and the sitting room. “African Seeds” sees energetic chants and shouts bring excitement, over a backdrop of ear-catching raw horns, cymbal taps and a free-flowing sax. “Latin Seeds” places crashing drums under dueting brass that provide a question and answer display.
V/A – Freedom Jazz Dance Sampler (Schema)
Cat No: SCEP 364. Release Date: 17th May 2004.
Putting the true Jazz sound back into the nu-er end of the market, Nicola and Gerardo come correct with a couple of melodic cuts that might be too smooth for lovers of rougher broken material. Nicola Conte’s “Nefertiti” is a glamorous swinging track, with carefree vocals, a displaying trombone and a frantic sax. Gerardo Frisina gives us “Gica’s Dance”, where a smiling vibraphone partners hi-spirited keys, and a happy sax provides further merriment.
Jacob London – Brown Alert (Classic)
Cat No: CMC18. Release Date: 19th April 2004.
Very crazy and bound to work well in the less conservative of dancing establishments, Jacob London have put the fun back in a sub-genre dominated by conventional arrangements. “The Bull Cow’s Gonna Smack Ya (In Da But)” wins title of the year and cut of this EP, courtesy of biting rhythmic beats, demented voccodered vox and ecstatic chords. “Pinecone’s Are Complicated” assesses the wonders of nature, as key slivers collide with stupid brass and synth-led nonsense. “Shake Yer Pancreas” will batter your insides, with its trembling bass and wonky synths.
Freaks – The Creeps (You’re Giving Me) (Music For Freaks)
Cat No: MFF12036. Release Date: 19th April 2004.
After spending longer than is reasonably necessary underground, that Freakish pair rise from the sewers, accompanied by their ghoulish vocalist mates. “The Creeps” is the soundtrack to the horror/comedy flick they never made, and their ‘Old Street Dub’ is the most creative version, with Dracula style organs and shivering Doctor Who keys. Their ‘Hoxton Re-rub’ is disappointingly conventional by comparison, as smooth percussion joins a malevolent synth and a jabbing bassline. The ‘No Assembly Required Remix’ sees beats that are light on their feet yet still show conviction link up with a pressurizing bass and disturbing vocals. For the weirdly inclined, there’s also an echoey ‘Creepapella’.
Bozzwell & Myers – Kitchen Funk (Kitchenwork)
Cat No: KW 001. Promo.
It could be quite awkward having a studio that doubles as a kitchen, but not so for Sheffield based Bozzwell and Myers. Despite the danger of flowing water near their mixer board, the pair has managed to avoid spillages and have come up with this fine EP. “Kitchen Funk” gets its name from its guitar-led live bass groove that is accompanied by bright keys and messed up vocals. “Encore” sees a honey-toned vocalist rabbit on in French, probably asking to be thanked, as sturdy keys ride a rock-solid bassline. “It’s A Good Thing” is an eccentric track in the Classic mould, with scorched chords and highly-strung synths.
Them Toe Rags – Boozy Funk EP 1 (Boozy Funk Records)
Cat No: BF01. Contact: themtoerags_at_hotmail.com.
On the whole, this mysterious outing from those drunken buccaneers of South Yorkshire is stronger than their 2nd EP. In the same vein as that outing, a host of big named vocalists get their vocals carefully transplanted to complementary musical backgrounds. “Like A Feather” is dominated by a funked out reverbing guitar and a mean bass, whilst “I Am” is another guitar laced re-rub. “Work It” sees a certain angelic toned vocalist reminisce about a past love over a strange yet endearing g-funk synthed and ragga-bassed backing. “Listen To The Music” is a summery synth-floated gem that should lift everyone’s spirits and “A Long Walk” is a romantic stroll, with cash register keys and stripped back guitar backing. “Breathe” is a well-behaved brass steeped revision of a frustrated yet loving recent chart hit. Worth searching out…
Common Factor – In Between (Soma)
Cat No: SOMA 145. Release Date: 17th April 2004.
One of the most skilled programmers in the game, Nick ‘Common Factor’ Calingaert makes music that you can feel is his. “In Between” sees disjointed percussion join beautiful keys and touching synthetics on a space inspired ride. Daniel Ibbotson’s Remix is a funny swing-styled rhythmic re-take, with skyward looking keys, fuzzy synths and an almost Fingers esque sinister bassline. “In Trouble’s Arms” brings forth a kaleidoscope of mesmerising keys, as a mellow bass links with FX fizzes underneath.
Arsenal – Longee (Wha? Roots)
Cat No: WHA?022. Promo.
Essentially a guitar-based composition with a twist, this cut from Arsenal should appeal to the indie kids as well as open-minded electronic fans. The ‘Album Version’ lets melodic vocals sit atop relaxed lead guitars and a rough-edged bass. Fresh 4t4’s Club Mix is a plodding synth addled mover, with bass nastiness, and their Dub is a Balearic flavoured slow burner, with lovely sighing string overtones.
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
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audioharvest.org...
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Writer for:
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