From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-04-25 23:29:17
Jon Freer’s Reviews 25th April 2005.
Album and comp action:
V/A – Nordic Lounge Vol 3 (DNM)
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Tide’s Arising (ABB Soul)
The Quantic Soul Orchestra – Pushin’ On (Tru Thoughts)
Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings – Naturally (Daptone)
V/A – Louie Vega pres Dance Ritual (R2)
V/A – Africanism III (ITH/Yellow)
V/A – Sounds of OM Vol 5: Mixed by DJ Fluid (Om Records)
V/A – Tango Fusion Club: Electronic Tango Beats Vol 1 (Tango-Go)
Thanks to Andreas at DNM, Lucy at Elemental Consulting, Gareth, Charles and Duncan at Zzonked, Sri at Dec Promotions, Neil at BBE, Nicky and Jo at Phuturetrax and Garo at Rooftop Promotion for these…
V/A – Nordic Lounge Vol 3 (DNM)
Cat No: DNMCD007. Available Now.
The third volume in this series is another magnificent installment of heartfelt tunes from the cold North. Established players mingle with ridiculously youthful producers on this album that showcases the crème de la crème of Scandinavian talent. Cloud and Yoanna bring us “Winternights”, where the songstress’ bewitching vocals ride icicle keys, chilly vibraphone touches and synths that take away the sting of the cold. Dalminjo’s “Love Affair” sees Hilde Drange’s emotionally confused vocals sit by keys weighed down by thoughts and tenacious percussion. Broken beats not putting a foot wrong, unforgiving synths, weeping piano keys and Elsa’s vocals in need of moving on from a past loving attachment combine on the awesome Swell Session retooling of Susumu Yokota’s “King Of Darkness”. Spellbinding!
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Tide’s Arising (ABB Soul)
Cat No: ABBS8009-2. Release Date: 13th June 2005.
We’re at a stage with the ‘broken beat’ sound where a few producers are getting round to putting out long players that focus on this sound. “Tide’s Arising” from West London based half Japanese and half New Zealander Mark de Clive-Lowe is an admirable vocal orientated LP. “Slide” sees ice-skating like gliding synths, keys that push all the right buttons and merry percussion provide backing for rhythm riding vocals. “State Of The Mental” is an eccentric number, with refined piano keys, heartbeating percussion and brilliant moog coated grooves. “Heaven” is a broken soul dream, where laboured beats and a grubbied trumpet back relieved vocals. This LP doesn’t cover a huge amount of musical ground, but it is an effective display of how far fractured percussive music has come since those acid jazz days.
The Quantic Soul Orchestra – Pushin’ On (Tru Thoughts)
Cat No: TRUCD/LP 074. Release Date: 9th May 2005.
Much more electrifying than Will ‘Quantic’ Holland’s solo material, the QSO’s second album is another energetic mission, where traditional funk values get the 00s update. Great fun to both listen and dance to, “Pushin’ On” isn’t much of a departure from the musical fair on “Stampede”, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride. The title track sees the wonderful Alice Russell battle away, over dogged brass and a low slung bass groove. The tea and real ale lover’s “Get A Move On” is covered in an organ-minded arrangement, where an effervescent bass and fat drumming give the track some extra energy. “Paintings And Journeys” watches honest guitars, windy strings and pace keeping up drums embark on a touching journey. Lovely stuff!
Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings – Naturally (Daptone)
Cat No: DAP-004. Release Date: 2nd May 2005.
Sharon and the Dap nobility touch down with an album of breezy buttery soul, with a side salad of neat funk. Sharon once worked in a prison as a corrections officer, and here she lays down the law in a musical manner. “How Do I Let A Good Man Down?” sees the good lady try to do the ‘right’ thing, backed by brass that will make you dance and steadfast guitars. Her cover of “This Land Is Your Land” is a stylish ditty, dominating by an all seeing and knowing brass arrangement. “All Over Again” is a thrilling lovey-dovey cut, with time-steeped strings, comforting brass and a reliable organ. 21st century old school soul and funk for one and all!
V/A – Louie Vega pres Dance Ritual (R2)
Cat No: R2LCD006. Available Now.
Mainly looking towards the nicely polished House sound that Vega has had a hand in proliferating over the last few years, this comp is really easy on the ears. A few other musical styles are knotted into the grooves, but Louie goes with a mostly souly House styled selection here. MAW and Vikter Duplaix gives us “In The Real World”, where forced synths, reality struck vocals and string glances sit on an afro-type drum track. Trüby Trio’s “Jaleo” is cultured broken beat number, with Flamencoish guitar action, smart title vox and a mumbling live bass. Natalie Cole’s gorgeous “Tell Me All About It” features in original form, where magic strings, purring bass and knowing strings combine on a track that was illicitly Housed up last year by Alan Smithee. A welcoming housey LP, but vinyl addicts will be disappointed that only 6 tracks feature in the three record collection, whereas there are 20 on the mixed CD.
V/A – Africanism III (ITH/Yellow)
Cat No: AFRICA03. Available Now.
African inspired House is the ticket here for the third and weakest comp from the Africanism crew. Sure, there are a few delightful afroid Housers, but the majority of tracks are devoid of the style and panache that initially made the series such an exciting aural prospect. Björn Lundt’s “Imbalaye” is a twisting and turning guitar churning number, with melodious vocal layers and shiny keys. Nassau give us “Talibe”, where introspective guitars partner patchwork percussion and strength giving synths. Inventive houser Yves La Rock’s “Viet Dao”’s power comes from the track’s eerie and effortlessly melodic steel drums. A decidedly mixed bag! Please bring back Gregory, Martin Solveig et al for the next volume!
V/A – Sounds of OM Vol 5: Moxed by DJ Fluid (Om Records)
Available Now.
San Fran’s OM are still bang at it, churning out solid house and casual beat driven releases. This one serves up more of their housey output, featuring a few gems and a lot of standard 4:4 efforts. The Broadway & Wilson revision of JT Domaldson and Symphony’s “Trust Me” is a pleading effort, with bump out beats, playful Johnny Fiasco style trumpeting and bass splurts. Moulton Studios main man Jay-J Hernandez presents a fine mix of Solidarity’s “Find A Way”, where floor-shaking beats, a bass that could swallow you whole and eyelid fluttering keys attempt to find a path through the mire. Marques Wyatt’s refix of Kaskade’s “Sweet Love” is sweet slice of sing-along vocal House, as queasy synths, hammering piano keys and affectionate vocals do the do. This comp serves up exactly what you’d expected from a House longplayer put together by the OM crew.
V/A – Tango Fusion Club: Electronic Tango Beats Vol 1 (Tango-Go)
US Release Date: Late April 2005.
This album was no doubt inspired by the Gotan Project’s marriage of electronic deepness and romance of Argentinean musical styles. “Electronic Tango Beats” does exactly what it professes to, matching a variety of beats, basslines and elec-minded grooves with heart-stopping southern instruments. Digitalcoya gives us “De Trampa”, where clear-minded keys and early 90s Bristolian beats back bright-eyed string elements and gorgeous accordion trills. “Rosa Portena” by Ultratango is a decidedly full-on number, with a pointed percussive arrangement, lifting accordion and mind-altering synths. Roberto Diaz’s “Floresta” as retooled by Anthony Rouchier becomes a striking clubby number, courtesy of business meaning pianos and a chilling string arrangement that has been strewn across the grooves. A good stopgap between releases from the Gotan Project!
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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