From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-04-19 00:17:25
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 18th April 2004.
Thanks to Nick at Altered Vibes, Filip at Wally’s Groove World, Tammy at Magnum PR, Crispin J Glover, Regis at NEWS, Jafar at Kwaito, Luke at Nordic Trax and Sam for these…
Hundred Strong feat Joseph Malik – All Ain’t The Same
(Altered Vibes/Battersea Park Music). Cat No: AV012/BPM 010.
Release Date: May 2004.
Scottish soul master turned Compost contributor Joseph Malik turns up on Altered Vibes and lays has bittersweet tones over a slice of retro-toned soul-hop. The original is the version to go for, where a funk-minded organ and explosive kit percussion meet under Joseph’s reflective vocals. The ‘Instrumental’ sees agonising keys join a grooving guitar and bold percussion. David Donnelly’s ‘Lap Dance Remix’ is a suggestive rubdown, with refined strings, scruffy guitars and sawn-off beats. David’s instrumental version lets the raw guitar reach its full potential and strings slide drunkenly.
Marino Berardi – Expressions in E Dub pt 3 / Mental Massage
(Metronomic Beatz). Cat No’s: MB8004/5. Release Dates: Spring 2004.
Luxembourg’s finest drops a couple of 12’s that blur the lines between teched-up House and straight-laced Techno, on one of Wally’s clutch of imprints. “Expressions…” is dominated by messy synths that cavort over malleable percussion and dub-style keys. “Locked In” hammers away relentlessly, courtesy of plinky plonky clean keys, no-nonsense beats and floated synths. The other record is the finer of the two, containing the risqué “Mental Massage”, with its possessed bass and incredible melodramatic strings. “How Fast” runs at a breakneck pace, courtesy of a churned up bass, acidic keys and unforgiving percussion.
Zoo Brazil feat Shawndark – Lose Control (Music For Freaks)
Cat No: MFF12037. Release date: 3rd May 2004.
Less brutal than some of their most recent outings, “Lose Control” feels like it was tailor made for Justin & Luke’s crazy imprint. The original is a jigsaw-puzzle type track, where subbed bass pushes, banged percussion, strutting synths and cool keys just about fit together. The Freaks ‘Undertoneredo’ is a day-glo keyed revision that feels a little restrained, as melodic watery synths and wound up vox combine. Their ‘Undertoneredub’ should hold the attention for a little longer, courtesy of a confused siren-type bass, funny keys and heavily FXed vocals. There’s nothing wrong with this release, but you kinda get the feeling you’ve heard it all before…
Crispin J Glover feat Mary – It’s Over (True)
Cat No: TRUE 005. Promo.
Not quite sure where Crispin’s been hiding, but he’s back in the thick of the action with this release for a sincere Belgian imprint. “It’s Over” sees a teary-eyed vocal performance from Mary fit snugly over a magnetic crooked synth and Detroit key addled groove. The ‘South Central Systems Dub’ is a garage/breaks hybrid, where disjointed percussion meets wavering synths and a deep below bass. Kenny Hawkes provides a vocal version with irresistible keys and expertly manipulated melodic vox, whilst his instrumental seats a silky synth alongside yearned vocal whispers.
Rare Unit Collective – Hydrophonics EP (Kwaito)
Cat No: KWAITO 001. Release Date: April 2004.
Hardly a week seems to go by without the launch of a new imprint, but this one deserves your time more than most. The debut release from the Rare Unit Collective forges a new path for the broken-soul fraternity, with “I Want It Back” being the standout. Here, Osa complaining about the loss of a lover, to a backing of slippery keys and sufficiently splintered percussion. “Hydro” sees a swirling synth cover guitar flexes and polluted analogue bass drops in a coating of hazy smoke.
Demarkus Lewis – Parallels EP (Nordic Trax)
Cat No: NT037. Release Date: May 17th 2004.
Demarkus shows he’s a more versatile producer than many people imagine, with this tidy little 3-tracker on Nordic Trax. In original format, “Parallels” is classic Demarkus, with steady beats, irresistible chords and mumbled geographically focussed vocals. The ‘Spanish Harlem Mix’ is a ridiculously more attractive proposition, courtesy of a carrying live bass, bright-eyed strings and deliciously warm keys. “Come On (Bop)” invites you to the floor for a dance to glam guitar twangs, a bumping bass and rocking percussion.
Island – It’s Only Just Begun (CD-R)
Since making their first demo, Island have gone from strength to strength, getting gigs in all the right places. This second offering is set to open further doors for the Manc based outfit. Their guitar-driven melodic tracks possess an undeniable honesty, which gives them an edge over many of their contemporaries. The most innovative track here is “I’ve Got To Get Away For A While”, with its unrefined keys, mournful trombone and vocals that find it difficult to cope. “Lights Go Out” is a sensible, if slightly run-of-the-mill affair, with a moody bass, bouncing along lead guitar and hi-pitched vocals. “It’s Only Just Begun” looks forward to the future, courtesy of an introspective guitar, softened drums and a sturdy bass.
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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