From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-04-23 22:25:39
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 23rd April 2004.
Thanks to Aaron at Ubiquity, Tammy at Magnum PR, The Rurals, Steve at Timewarp, Manuel at EBL and Anna at Nudgie Music for these…
Theo Parrish – Parallel Dimensions (Ubiquity Records)
Cat No: URCD/LP151. Release Date: 18th May, 2004.
Sometimes politicised (“Major Moments of Instant Insanity”), distressingly weird (“Dellwood II”) or intensely hypnotising (His re-rub of a neo soul damsel’s “Slowly, Surely”), Theo Parrish’s music sets him apart as a true maverick. Theo operates under his own rules, pushing the boundaries so far back on themselves that they snap. This outstanding collection, at home on the innovative Ubiquity label, got a super-limited outing on Mr. Parrish’s much fabled Sound Signature imprint, back in 2000. The tracks, which represent the less eccentric side of Theo’s repertoire, exude a timelessness characteristic of compositions from musical genii. “Serengeti Echoes” pays tribute to the plains of a natural beauty, courtesy of casually bounced afroid percussion, a shadowing bass and confident chords. “Reaction To Plastic” is a sickening yet strangely captivating bass rumbler, with jabbing synthetics that pollute your mind and vicious striking beats. “Summertime Is Here” encapsulates!
the spirit-lifting dawn of the warmest season, as angelic vocals exclaim, a beautiful brass section harmonizes as one and vivid keys twinkle. Mr. Parrish is a truly innovative producer in a modern electronic music scene whose strength is subdued by copycats, posers and fakers. Whilst some represent the exterior, tasteless crust of the musical pie, Theo is one of those who symbolize the nourishing meat.
The Classic Music Company presents…Business As Usual
(Mixed by Brett Johnson) (Classic).
Cat No: CMCCD109. Release Date: 24th May 2004.
As the imprint hurtles dangerously close towards their one hundredth single release and rumoured self-combustion, Brett reminds us why the label is held in such esteem. Splicing the oddities alongside their more straightforward dancefloor assaults of recent times “Business As Usual” is a fitting moniker. Brett’s own “Jiffy Pop” just about defines the sound of the imprint, with its ear-catching quirky keys, dancing beats and bass fuzz. Luke Solomon’s ‘Reedmix’ of Tiefschwarz’s “Nix” shows us what would have happened if the Freaks remixed the spiritual house set, as a spiritual flute gets cut to smithereens over a bad-tempered bass and sprayed beats. Pepe Bradock’s ‘Brad Peep’s Remix For Friends’ is still as hypnotising as the day it was first committed to dancefloor, courtesy of levitating keys, a crushing jazz-synth and human-made beats. Classic by name, Classic by nature!
The Rurals – Messages (Pêng)
Cat No: PENGCD6. Release Date: 24th May 2004.
Despite a cut back in the number of 12’s put out on Pêng year, the Rurals give us hope they’ve not given up on music completely, with this luscious longplayer. As usual, it emanates the soul-invigorating vibe we’ve come to expect from Devon’s deepest. “Do it For Love” a rough broken outing, with sultry keys, devoted vocals and bass loveliness. The vocals on “Rebel” display a feeling of alienation, whilst the rising keys and hard jacking beats show a more dancefloor conscious side the group’s output. “Mainbreak” is a gorgeous instrumental slice of pure deepness, with a submerged bass, Balearic guitars and a star gazing electric guitar. Another wonderful album from the duo, as expected!
Sandboy – Wanderlust (Hinterland Records)
Cat No: HINT 003CD. Available Now.
The personnel on this album encompass a wide variety of musicians and vocalists, who line up alongside the producer, a former member of Compost’s Beanfield. An upshot of the assorted workforce is a patchy album, with flashes of brilliance alongside equal moments of dreariness. “Viver” gives life from its serene strings, strong chords, pattering percussion and twinkling keys. The wonderful Nanar Vorperian from Break Reform guests on “Written In Leaves”, where her devoted vocals sit alongside heavy handed keys and a cool liquid bass. “Lua Nua” is a nice enough final cut, with vivid keys, thinking percussion and wonderful flugal horn. At least worth a listen…
Beatmaker – Album 01 (EBL/EFX/Beatmaker Entertainment)
Promo.
Hailing from France, Beatmaker are a Hip Hop collective who place as much emphasis on their drums and backing tracks as their rhymes. Thankfully, even for those who don’t speak the language, their supporting arrangements are sufficient to hold the attention. “Paris La Nuit” sees the capital in a different light, courtesy of wonderland-type keys, good natured FXed vox and golden key touches. The “Esthéte” interlude is worth a mention for its free feeling vocals, orchestral type strings and tight percussion. “Besoin d’amour” is another catchy track, with lovesick speeded vox, crazy guitar and roving strings. A confident debut.
TJ Rehmi – The Warm Chill (Dharma Moon/Real World Works)
Cat No: DHM0112. Available Now.
Brit based TJ Rehmi shows that slow-paced music can offer important messages. Fusing west with east and electronic with acoustic, “The Warm Chill” paints moving soundscapes, which have relevance to the lives of those based all over the world. “The Warm Chill” takes its strength from a beautiful acoustic guitar, which sits atop layered percussion, deeply concentrating keys. “Axis Of Ignorance” makes an important point, as a guitar and sitar battle it out, with neither triumphing in the end. “The Escape” hopes for the future, courtesy of a melting eastern flute, calm strings and echoed guitars. A thought-provoking and challenging album at a tempo more associated with easily digestible and bland compositions.
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,
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audioharvest.org...
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Writer for:
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