From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-12-11 21:59:39
Jon Freer's Reviews 11th December 2005.
Singles:
Phoebe Unknown (White)
Fujiya & Miyagi Collar Bone (Tirk)
Οony Yes (DNM)
Reel People feat. Sharlene Hector The Rain (Defected)
V/A The Sound Of Club Brasil EP 02 (Club Brasil)
Nancy Elizabeth Cunliffe The Wheel Turning King (Timbreland)
Hog Dogs First Time Around / Galaxy (Hog Dogs)
Altered Natives Black Soul Matrix EP (Broadcite)
Rebel Sole When The Time Is Right (Phono Graffiti)
Square One Sequential EP (Freerange)
Thanks to the Phoebe 7" provider, Matt at Tirk, All at DNM, Toni T at Defected, Nicky & Jo at Phuturetrax, Nik Weston, Paul Allen, Ben BKS, Phil CGT and Matt at Freerange for these
Phoebe Unknown (White)
Cat No: PH 001. Promo.
This refreshingly raw folky 7" appeared devoid of any information regarding Phoebe. The A Side track attempts to entice prospective suitors over a bed of insistently slapped guitars. Scowling guitars, live bass wobbles and urgent vocals meet on the superior B Side track.
Fujiya & Miyagi Collar Bone (Tirk)
Cat No: TIRK 014. Available Now.
Fujiya & Miyagi drop this rather startling 10" on the firing Tirk imprint. Head straight to "Cassette Single", which is a reverentially bass driven glider, with dazed keys, chopping drums and carrying chords. The title track, "Collar Bone", marries unconnected body-part rhyming and shopping list remembering vocals over smoky synths and prickly guitars.
Οony Yes (DNM)
Cat No: DNMEP009. Available Now.
Fans of the Scandinavian neo-jazz set should be familiar with Οony from their curious contributions to the 'Jazzflora' compilation series. "Yes" is the duo's premier EP, which builds on their wonderfully out-there jazzed up stylings. "Vu From Upper Story" sees lackadaisical keys journey through slow moving rush hour traffic, which is embodied by the percussion. "Original Buffalo" lets the woodwind ask all the questions, whilst "Kit Woolvern" is a brooding stringed number, which morphs from a lightly percussed cut into a spinning Houser. Deranged off-kilter percussion, sweet vocal impressions and senseless keys meet on the oddly named "I Was Twelve Years Old The First Time I Walked On Water, The Man In The Black Clothes Taught Me How To Do It".
Reel People feat. Sharlene Hector The Rain (Defected)
Available Now.
The first fruits of Defected's partnership with London soulful sons, Reel People, is another outing for this boogieing cleanser, equipped with the mandatory host of remixes. The first 12" sees the smart original accompanied by a couple of retoolings from Joey Negro. The bass digs its teeth in and brass slide across the floor on the original. Joey Negro irons out a few charming creases on the 'Vocal Re-Edit', but his 'London Boogie Dub' is the one to watch, as sultry keys get it on with dreamy guitars. The other 12" contains some livelier versions from Swedish soulful man Rasmus Faber. Unfortunately, his organically toned Dub, despite its raw afroid bass and unnervingly powerful guitars, is let down by Aaron Phiri's pointless MCing.
V/A The Sound Of Club Brasil EP 02 (Club Brasil)
Cat No: B12-02. Release Date: 12th December 2005.
The dancefloor pushing sound of South America's largest nation is exposed once more, on the second Club Brasil EP, which has been put together by expert record finder Nik Weston. The EP kicks off with energising "Jungle Kitten" from Tomas Improta & Finn Peters, where loveable keys and reliable brass dance over quick-fire percussion. Graceful bird-flight percussion, shakers and keys of love meet on Valeria Lobano's "Cravo e Canela". Mariana Feo's epic vocals bless a faraway fluted version of "Vera Cruz", as a vibrant sax and hot footing percussion meet on Jesse Sadoc's instrumental rendition.
Nancy Elizabeth Cunliffe The Wheel Turning King (Timbreland)
Cat No: TMBR 004. Available Now.
This young folk chanteuse makes her debut with a remarkably affecting six track EP. Bathed in a pool of fragile tinkering and contrasting dramatic instrumentation, Cunliffe's vocals have the power to enthral and move the listener. Highlights include a lovedrunk piece entitled "Sense", and the carefully plucked stringonics of "The Moving Sand".
Hog Dogs First Time Around / Galaxy (Hog Dogs)
Cat No: HGDG 001. Available Now.
Hog Dogs join the re-editing party, bringing a couple of prime souldisco floor fillers to the table. "First Time Around" wraps warmth-giving keys around open/shut beats and an acquiescent bass. "Galaxy" slips clear-thinking percussion under a pushy bass refrain, chuckles and guitar pangs.
Altered Natives Black Soul Matrix EP (Broadcite)
Available Now.
Altered Natives keep up the broken soul pressure with another EP for the productive Broadcite camp. "Drop" runs simple key work and a pissed off bass alongside vocals that extol the virtues of getting down and dancing. The instrumental of "Drop" brings out the jarring bass, whilst "Of The Forth Kind" places odd keys over rough beats and a gruff bass. "Work It Out" just won't sit still, as eager to please strings, energetic percussion and twisted keys throw the shapes.
Rebel Sole When The Time Is Right (Phono Graffiti)
Cat No: 002. Promo.
Label boss Phil Towers of Cosmic Groove Transmission fame is behind this release, which finds Skip Donohue aka Paul Woolford on fine remixing form. The Skip Donohue version soaks light-footed percussion, slurping keys and cool guitars with a tidal wave of acieed, whilst the 'Sound Of Acid Dub' is a jagged techy edged bass bumper. A catchy little bass riff gives "Simplify" its strength, whilst "1982" is a roughly beaten, crazy assed bass groover.
Square One Sequential EP (Freerange)
Cat No: FR062. Available Now.
Freerange cap off a productive year with a final flurry of 12-inch outings, and this one is from Mettle Musicer Mark Wadsworth aka Square One. "Sequential" gives a huge dose of synthy filtration to a cut where unruly key licks and smackin' beats rule. "High Rise" stares up at sharp percussion, ailing keys and flying strings, whilst the Deep Child Remix adds a bass glare.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Freelance journalist.
Publications include -
Keep On Magazine
Blues & Soul Magazine
City Life Magazine
Blowback Magazine
Rant Magazine
cratertech.com
pitchadjust.com
manchesterunderground.com
beyondjazz.net
mundovibes.net
deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
radiozerogravity.net
_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!