From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-11-25 23:35:03
Jon Freer’s Reviews 25th November 2004.
Longplaying selection:
V/A – [re:jazz] Point of View (INFRAcom!)
V/A – Luke Slater presents Fear and Loathing 2 (Resist)
V/A – Tattoo Sessions mixed by Joeski (Maya)
Lars Bartkuhn & his Passion Dance Orchestra - Dreamland (Needs)
V/A – A Hand-full of Namibians (Nocturne/On The Corner)
DJ Krush – Jaku (Red Ink/Sony)
Thanks to C-Rock, Petra at INRAcom!, Steve at Timewarp, Andrea at Freewheelin’, Andy at TWEAK, Groove Attack Distribution, The Needs Crew, Arielle at Nocturne and Lucy at Elemental Consulting for these…
Disco diary below
V/A – [re:jazz] Point of View (INFRAcom!)
Cat No: IC 115. Available Now.
Hearing a piece of music can trigger memories that you thought had been lost. It can take you back to places, times and thoughts not dwelled on for years. The [re:jazz] crew have taken some incredibly powerful pieces of music, and created stripped down free-jazz versions of them. This compilation has the power to make listeners look to the past, but also to the present and the future because of the change that has happened to the tracks on here. Air’s “All I Need” changes from a confident declaration of love to a vulnerable plead for comfort, courtesy of a beautiful piano, an endangered bass and careful percussion. “Twisted” sees Ultra Naté’s confused yet sure vocals slip between steady drums and melancholic guitars. Jhelisa Anderson’s vocals on the [re:jazz] version of “Inner City Life” have thankfully lost none of the soaring quality that made Goldie’s original so special. My only slight gripe with “Point of View” is that a few of the compositions have lost a little!
passion and energy in their journey from the dancefloor to the home stereo.
V/A – Luke Slater presents Fear and Loathing 2 (Resist)
Cat No: RESISTCD/LP7. Release Date: 31st January 2005.
Like many other DJs, Luke Slater is known for one style of music (Techno), but he also enjoys playing and showcasing other grooves. “Fear and Loathing 2” has let him represent a truer picture of the beats that make him tick; the first CD is an effortlessly grooving slow builder that takes in both ambient and minimalist housey soundscapes, whilst CD2 is a techier affair, stretching from pointed electroid stabbers to mind-bending full-on Techno. The ‘Icelandic Version’ Nathan Fake’s “The Sky Was Pink” paints a vivid picture, courtesy of swishing clicky percussion, pressure applying organ keys and exhilarating strings. Isolée’s “Beau Mot Plage” enchants, with its emotional keys, tip toeing beats and bass elements, which fall into place perfectly. “Incident” by Joris Voorn is an uplifting stormer, where hard as nails piano keys plonk over racing beats and a pummelling bass. This is a wonderfully well-rounded compilation from Luke.
V/A – Tattoo Sessions mixed by Joeski (Maya)
Cat No: MAYACD001. Promo.
“Tattoo Sessions” is all about the dogged percussion and spaced-out grooves that made Joeski famous in the late 90s. This style of fuzzy house has also been the staple sound for his Maya imprint. “Be There 4 Me” produced by Joeski is a passionate track, where Omar Alexander’s unhappy vocals ride over hulking percussion and a rounded bass. The Land Shark’s “Tie Me Up” is a devilish slice of sleaze-house, with lifting keys, risqué vocals and nimble guitars. 6400 Crew Present Joeski’s “Hustler’s Revenge” is one of Joe’s finest moments, courtesy of its good old fashioned revolving bassline, devastatingly blasted sax and expertly Fxed hammered beats. For those wondering, the name of the comp is a tribute to the intricate body art that adorns Joeski’s arms.
Lars Bartkuhn & his Passion Dance Orchestra - Dreamland (Needs)
Cat No: NECD2. Available Now.
A member of Frankfurt’s deeper than thou and musically spot on Needs crew, Lars Bartkuhn has a flair for making emotionally involved music. “Dreamland” is the ideal title for his debut album, which is a collection of smooth uptempo numbers and lush relaxed cuts. “Discover The World” revisits his classic “Worlds”, as awakening synths, organ key uplifts and a crooning bass combine on a pretty impressive version of Lars’s biggest selling cut to date. “Dreamland” the track is a swaying synth laced Gregory type percussed outing, with glazed strings and a full live bass. “(Her) Life” drops it down for some hopping percussive vibes, ever so friendly guitar touches and synth eccentricities. A likeable album, that gets a little too intense in places.
V/A – A Hand-full of Namibians (Nocturne/On The Corner)
Cat No: OTCD970/NT097. Available Now.
This curiously titled album brings us exactly what it says – music from a handful (or should that be three handfuls considering the number of tracks on this CD?) of artists from Namibia! To be honest, it is worth sticking to the lovely traditionally-inclined tracks on this compilation, as the cuts using modern production techniques don’t really sparkle! Ras gives us “Inotela”, where his tender Terry Callier type vocals are the focus. Emmanuel Karumazondo’s “Nhamo/Mbira 1” lets hollow clashing yet tuneful keys back Emmanuel’s pained vocals. Ngatu’s “Telela” is an energetic afro-beat romp, with pattering percussion, bass guitar slidings and celebratory vocals. This compilation shows that talent does exist in a nation not particularly famous for its musical output.
DJ Krush – Jaku (Red Ink/Sony)
Available Now.
Now in his 40s, Krush has been a leading light in Japanese Hip Hop for a very long time. This album focuses on moody atmospheric hop, where disfigured beats meet historic Japanese sounds and instruments. “Transition” is a battle between angry percussion and strings that have been robbed of the chance to flow. “Univearth” featuring Tetsuro Naito sees striding Hip hop beats meet traditional percussive smashes, under deeply thinking strings and a twisted flute. “Pretense” tries to ignore the important questions, as keys echo and swirling synths take hold. This is experimental Hopped grooves at their most challenging, where different cultures collide and a whole new tapestry has been created.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Mo'soul Publicity: Variety of services offered:
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*Freelance journalist.
Publications include -
Keep On Magazine
Blues & Soul Magazine
XLR8R Magazine
City Life Magazine
Inner Loop Magazine
littleplanet.net
pitchadjust.com
beyondjazz.net
deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
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