From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-01-12 01:11:10
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 11th January 2004.
Thanks to Jonas at Kickin, Phil Asher, Nik Weston, Mark Jones, Nicky at Phuture Trax, David Duriez, Jamie & Tom at Freerange, Different Drummer, Tash at Exceptional at Caroline at Soma for these…
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Album & compilation selection.
Various – Jazz In The House 12 (Slip’n’Slide)
Cat No: SLIPCD157. Release Date: 19th January 2004.
The omnipotent Phil Asher has been demoted to merely selector on this volume of his eternally popular JITH compilation series for S’n’S, as it is unmixed even on CD. This may excite CDJ’s and dismay music connoisseurs who prefer one long aural soundtrack to a stop and start selection. However, when the selection is as excellent as this, even if the inclusion of a triplet of tracks by Blaze means other talented artists miss out, then the lack of mixing should not be an issue. DJ Oji & Una’s ‘Friday Night at The Sanctuary’ version of “We Lift Our Hands At The Sanctuary” sees inviting keys, swaying strings and sprayed organ keys link arms alongside Una’s vocals that sum up the togetherness felt at only the most special of night’s out. Reel People’s “The Light” shines brightly, courtesy of glowing synths, vocals that urge actions instead of words and beaming keys. The ‘C-P Edit’ of The Elastic Band’s “Sunny” sums up all of those perfect summer moments beautifully, with comm!
itted keys, jovial live guitar, winding live bass and thankful vocals. This is another top-class selection from the immensely talented Mr. Asher.
Gerardo Frisina – Hi Note (Schema)
Release Date: 12th January 204.
From the same musical school as fellow Italian Nicola Conte, Gerardo Frisina is another forward thinking Jazz-minded producer. No doubt traditional music has always been his starting point, but like with Conte, Gerardo manages add a nu-er twist to the tail of his compositions. “Bluesanova” sees jingling percussion, gorgeous vibraphone tinkles and far-away gazing keys underpin a fantastically relaxed sax melody. “Cubana” takes its strength from layer after layer of percussion, which threatens to smother a deadly muted trumpet and cute keys. “Heading For What I Know” is another masterful piece of cutting edge Italo-jazz, with refined keys, cymbal orientated percussion, a sweet little sax and vibraphone tinkerings. Jazz for today and tomorrow.
Larry Levan – The Definitive Salsoul Mixes ’78-’83 (Suss’d/Salsoul)
Available Now.
As a DJ, he engaged the crowd and showed that creativity was something to be proud of and celebrate, whilst as a remixer, Larry employed techniques that set records on fire. For those of us too young to witness the man in action and to those whom the Paradise Garage now seems a world away, this compilation reinforces the memories and stories. His ‘Original Album Remix ‘ of The Salsoul Orchestra’s “How High” sees a lavish sax, hopeful guitar and popping FX lay under the vocals which question a lover’s commitment. Sparkle “Handsome Man” (Commercially Unreleased Remix) is a heart warming tale of fair maiden whose has found sanctuary, as pretty guitar strums, clapped percussion and powerful brass provide the energy. The ‘Original Full Length Remix ‘ of Inner Life feat Jocelyn Brown’s “Make It Last Forever” takes a grooving guitar, slow dance percussion and expanding synths back Jocelyn’s half whispered compelling vocals. His mythical status may have been compounded by his t!
ragic early death, but there is no doubting one fact; Larry Levan was a musical genius, who has influenced so many.
Various Artists – 4: The Fellowship Of The Brique (Brique Rouge)
Cat No: BRCD04. Available Now.
Consistent and as diverse as ever, the Parisian based Brique Rouge imprint is now onto their fourth compilation release. Their records may still be difficult to locate in vinyl emporia, but they are still putting out some wonderful music, and rivalling F Comm as Paris’s premier label for DIVERSE House and more. Frantz Kromer’s ‘Unhealthy Mix’ of Miss Mee feat Jiney & Mizzy’s “Surprise Me” is an engaging slice of wonky grooving house, with a backwards synth, distant vocal croons and a dubby dark bassline. Cartoon’s “Time/Change” has the vibe of a late night Jazz club, courtesy of swinging sax adlibs, cajoling vocals and shuffling beats. Llorca’s revision of the Mambo Urbano Orchestra’s “Devotion” is enthralling stuff, as passionate half shouted and half cried vocals sit alongside lifting chords, keys just the right side of retro and hard hitting beats. Excellent stuff.
Al-Haca Soundsystem – Invincible (Different Drummer)
Cat No: DIFCD26. Available Now.
The German based Al-Haca sound show us their diverse influences on this, their debut album. Flitting between downtempo and uptempo grooves, they show how dub can be an exciting starting point for all manner of styles and rhythms. “Heartbreaker” sees Mr V. shows his obvious distress at the behaviour of a certain lady, over a nasty bassline, spin backs and crying keys. “Screw” is a 2-stepped style beaten cut, with a heaving bassline and praising vox from T-Weed. “Break The Silence” sees Sizla call for repatriation in full Ragga toasting mode, alongside synth slides, key wobbles and odd percussion. A cool mixing & matching selection.
12” selection…
Audiomontage – The Lightness / The Darkness (Freerange)
Cat No: FR036. Release Date: 19th January 2004.
Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell decides being descriptive is the way forward, on this competent, yet not groundbreaking offering for his own Freerange imprint. “The Lightness” is a positive celebration of all things bright and beautiful, courtesy of playful percussion, singing keys, flute touches and almost disjointed vocal additions. “The Darkness” is thankfully not a tribute to a joke of a rock group, but a bad tempered scary cut, with techy key sweeps, scowling beats and synth cushioning.
Fat Jon – Everywhere (Exceptional)
Cat No: EXEC 37. Release Date: 9th February 2004.
Fat Jon debuts for the ever consistent Exceptional imprint, with a teaser for his forthcoming album. “Everywhere” is a serene little number, with tranquil keys, reflective vocals and string stares. Desha’s Remix pits solid broken percussion against a plump analogue bass, whilst the Swell Session VIP focuses on smiling keys and the despondent vocals.
Envoy – Night Moves (Soma)
Cat No: SOMA 136. Available Now.
Pitting late 80’s acid tendencies against cutting edge teched out grooves was always going to be an exciting prospect. The vocal version sees standing ground percussion, fx twinges, a rolled bass and a synth reminiscent of an 80’s anthem by a quick guy named Eddie partner truly dreadful vocals. The Dub is much better, as the firm percussion, FXs throws, brilliant acidic synth and looking heavenward strings combine.
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, 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,
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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