From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-04-13 23:31:30
Jon Freer’s Reviews 13th April 2005.
Album & Compilations:
Platinum Pied Pipers – Triple P (Ubiquity Records)
V/A – Heartbeat: Compiled & Mixed by Julius Papp (Loveslap!)
The Flowriders – Strarcraft (4 Lux)
V/A – Massive Classics (Dirty South)
V/A – Café Nirvana (Park Lane)
Olaf Hund – Valseuses (Musiques Hybrides)
Thanks to Aaron at Ubiquity, Nix & Jo at Phuture Trax, Nik Weston, Steve at Timewarp, Racheal at Park Lane and Ben at BKS for these…
Platinum Pied Pipers – Triple P (Ubiquity Records)
Cat No: URCDLP168. Release Date: 10th May 2005.
These nu-age Hop Soul storytellers make intelligent music that is a world away from fluffly neo soul and ego feeding dull Hip Hop. A bevy of talented vocal operatives lend their lungs and chords on this first class album. “Your Day Is Done” featuring Georgia sees bold beats and an unmanoeuvreable bass back Georgia’s theatrically impassioned rap work and singing. “I Got You” places stately brass, slapped percussion and exotic guitars under Tiombe Lockhart’s devotional vocals. Covers have been important to the PPP since day one and their version of “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” is pretty special, courtesy of Roijer’s vocals that recall the sympathy of a friend with an ulterior motive, teary eyed keys and telling guitars. Lets hope the PPP really can go Platinum with this honest, soul-raising effort.
V/A – Heartbeat: Compiled & Mixed by Julius Papp (Loveslap!)
Cat No: Loveslap 06. Promo.
Papp is one of those US House heads who’s better known for making tracks than for giving them a whirl on turntables in a club. However, this outstanding comp proves Papp has an ear for selecting the finest in contemporary soul-kissed House. He kicks off the CD with Marlon D’s “UC Anthem”, a togetherness fostering number with floor conscious beats, far-sighted keys and a spirit raising sax and flute combo. Quentin Harris brings us “Episode 4”, a heavy-hearted escapade, where unworldly keys stroll alongside screwed-up synths. The Audiowhores revision of Connie Harvey’s “Thank You Lord” is a blemishless slice of gospel driven house, as blemishless guitars and heavenward gazing strings back Connie’s praising vocals. Another truly heart-warming instalment from San Fran’s first-rate Loveslap imprint.
The Flowriders – Strarcraft (4 Lux)
Cat No: 4lux003cd. Release Date: 9th May 2005.
“Starcraft” from the elegant Flowriders is a prime example of the Broken Soul sound, which combines the nonconformist percussive ethic of broken beat with buttery soul vocals and instrumental vibes. The album is a little dreamy in places, and a few of the cuts are a bit on the nondescript side, but there are some peaches. “Matter” is a strolling number, with guitar strings stretched into funny shapes, inviting vocals and dangling bass action. “Pheremone” is Bugz like in structure minus the West London attitude, as serious beats, bell shaped synths and cosmic keys sit under scientifically aware vocals. The standout “NPM” is a little short, but those philosophically tuned in vocals, clarinet with a bellyful of anguish and brass from another place and time make it a life-changing cut. For nu—style jazz and soul fans alike…
V/A – Massive Classics (Nocturne/Dirty South)
Cat No: TN 003. Release Date: April 2005.
Whether the Bristol trip hop daddies agreed to this public displaying of their sample sources by the Nocturne imprint is debatable. French blunted hop master DJ Cam, who searched through racks of dusty vinyl to compile this collection has unearthed some brilliant material. The Mahavisnu Orchestra’s “You Know, You Know” pushes the message home, courtesy of languid drums, traumatised strings and visibly upset keys. “It’s Time For Love” by Pieces Of A Dream is nourishment for disco romantics, as a lounging sax with a surprising ability to take over listener’s mind steals the show. William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful For What You Got” is a reassuring spirit-lifting number, with reverent organ keys, gold plated keys and smooth as a cat’s fur guitars. Big fans of the group will no doubt recognise what has been lifted and can play a fun game of spot the track it was used on, but non devotees are equally advised to check this out, purely on the strength of the music that has been e!
xposed by Cam.
V/A – Café Nirvana (Park Lane)
Cat No: PARKLCD004. Available Now.
Not a place for devotees of grunge’s first man, “Café Nirvana” is a sleepy eared double CD of horizontal grooves. To be honest, there are some appallingly bland platters that you’d be send back if they were served to you in a musical emporium, but there’s also tasty fair that you’d gobble up immediately. Ultra Naté’s “Twisted”, produced by 4 Hero, is anthem for the hopelessly romantic, as strings that take your breathe away in a way akin to stepping into the sea on a cold day and fragile guitars back Ultra’s consumed by love vocals. Grand National’s “Peanut Dreams” may make little sense, but that doesn’t really matter when those absent-minded vocals have dynamic elasticised beats and robust guitars for company. “Café De Flore” is Herbert’s tribute to dining at a bespoken establishment, where rounded guitar smudges and a blind yet feeling its way forward accordion are served chilled. Café Nirvana is an eatery where you must be careful what you order!
Olaf Hund – Valseuses (Musiques Hybrides)
Available Now.
By the sound of things, Olaf is a bit of an eccentric. Here he revisits musical dances from the early 20th century, and the results are mixed, to say the least. “Rondo (Début)” displays Olaf’s ability to sonically manipulate prim and proper strings in a quite remarkable manner. “Valseuse (Rock Around Ravel)” sees keys doing a grandiose dance brought down to the level of ground striking drums, possessed synths and guitars with an attitude problem. “Tango (, Tangis, Tangere, Tetigi, Tactum)” watches guarded accordions do battle with naïve House synthetics. Listening to this album is more a feat of endurance than a casual hearing experience.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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