From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-05-29 12:53:30
Jon Freer’s Reviews. 28th May 2004.
Thanks to Osunlade, Karen at Soul Jazz, Andreas at DNM, Nik Weston, Matthew at Limestone Recordings, Mel at Four Four Promotions…
Singles Selection
Osunlade – Year Of The Monkey (Yoruba Records)
Cat No: YOR 107. Available Now.
Politically conscious records are few and far between in a modern electronic music scene where at one end of the spectrum we have artists who pour their hearts and souls out onto vinyl, whilst at the other, financially astute players exploit similar sounds and arrangements in search of a quick buck. Osunlade is certainly one of those producers whose music truly reflects his spirit, and contained on this 12”, is a track that shows his disgust with the ‘leader’ of the most powerful nation in the world and a more general discontentment regarding the moral fabric of today’s society. The cut in question, “Mr. President”, with its queasy melodic keys and honest chords, just happens to be one of his finest compositions to date. The eloquently spoken vocal, containing lines such as “seems these days all that matters is money, superficial stardom and ass implants”, sits comfortably atop a trademark cleanly-sliced percussive groove. The tune on the other side is “Macaco”, where fl!
oaty synths swoop over petrified key stabs and a blurry bass.
V/A – Jazzflora EP (DNM: Dealers of Nordic Music)
Cat No: DNMEP006. Promo.
For those of you allergic to CDs or with an insatiable desire for all things Scandinavian, here are four highlights from the fine vegetation-loving compilation on DNM, pressed onto one slab of wax. This EP contains an exclusive vocal version of Hird’s adorable ”I Love You My Friends”, where Yukimi Nagano adds soul-dripping vocals over the ever so beautiful key led backing. Elsa Hedberg’s cover of Betty Carter’s “Open The Door” is a declaration of desire to bowl over even the sturdiest, where a scowling bass and glorious sax back her bewitching vocals. Oddjob’s “Bloodstream” is set to get even the most proficient jazz dancer into a tangle, courtesy of jiving keys, a flying sax and hearty drum kit led percussion. Kuusumun Profeeta’s “Kovin Lentäen Kotin Kaipaan” should probably be described by its awe-inspiring melody (possibly played by the offspring of a cross breeding experiment between a lower brass instrument and an accordion), hypnotising guitar and whispering brushe!
d percussion by those of us unable to pronounce its mouthful of a title!
Hajime Yoshizawa – Endless Bow (Especial European Edition Series)
Cat No: EEE 001. Release Date: 7th June 2004.
The Especial imprint blurs the line between traditional and nu-er jazz sounds admirably, but up until now, their releases have stretched our pockets and crate digging skills to the limit. When these ‘special records have turned up on these shores, they have been expensive and notoriously difficult to get hold of. Goya have joined forces with the original European distributor, Mukatsuku, to make the best moments from the back catalogue of the Osakan-based imprint available in larger quantities, at a sensible price! “Endless Bow” takes dreamy keys, skyward looking strings and an affirmative bass to create a track to please the old and nu-school. Jimpster provides a slightly housier reinterpretation, where sprightly ear-catching keys and gorgeous flutes come to the fore. The most satisfying revision is from Fauna Flash, courtesy of dependable chords, striking percussion and split telephone keys. As a bonus, this 12 features the West Tokyo mix of “Secret Flight”, a percus!
sive gem, with gooey jazz keys and enchanting chords.
Cooly’s Hot-Box – Touch My Body (Dome Records)
Cat No: 12DOME189. Release Date: 21st June 2004.
The NY-based Jazz soulers with a rememberable if decidedly odd name return, with a trio of engaging numbers. “Touch My Body” sees Angela Johnson act coyly but then wonder if she’s let the situation develop too far, over knocked percussion and a raw bass groove. The mighty Christian Ulrich takes up vocal duties on the guitar addled “Get On”, where he provides almost Curtis Mayfield touches, as he pleads for some loving. “Don’t Be Afraid” is a reassuring number, where Angela’s coaxing vocals and delectable keys contrast markedly with a mean bass.
Club Dub – Bring It Up (Limestone Recordings)
Cat No: LR003. Promo.
A slight departure from previous releases on this imprint, “Bring It Up” sees the remarkable Club Dub collective bring guitar-based live vibes to the imprint, with agreeable results that should only disappoint anally-purist House heads. The original sees a bold guitar grab the limelight, as the bass loiters in the shadows and dancing sax shakes its stuff. Bassline Road’s ‘Dub-Apella’ lets the full excited vox ride a dancing live bass and handclap percussion you can depend on. The Deep House Soldiers ‘Southern Soul Edit’ fuses styles admirably, as a looped guitar is slipped nicely over strong percussion, backed by the silkiest of basslines.
Groove Junkies featuring Solara – Sunshine (MoreHouse)
Release Date: 20th July 2004.
One of the Groove Junkies most accomplished releases so far; “Sunshine” proves that House music catering towards the fashionable end of the market doesn’t have to be vacuous. The ‘GJ’s Nueva Soul Mix’ of the track sees a playful trilling flute and wandering guitar niceness line up alongside Solara’s thankful vocals. GJ’s ‘Soul Excursion Dub’ is an instrumentally minded re-rub, where a chic trumpet’s partners on the floor are a blasting sax and comforting keys. The ‘Reprise/DJ Tool’ once again lets the trio of sax, flute and keys take centre stage.
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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