From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-12-27 19:19:02
Best wishes to all for 2006.
More end of year charts have now been added at mosoul.co.uk, and include entries from the likes of Nick Holder (DNH Records), Rough Disko and many more. Thanks to all those who've submitted charts. The rest of you have until the 9th of January to submit your entries!
Here's a bumper selection of reviews.
Jon Freer's Reviews 27th December 2005.
Singles:
Syclops The Fly (TIRK)
RightKindaWrong Album Sampler (Rainy City Music)
Phuturistix feat. Fyza Fly Away (Phuture Lounge)
Kayot Clear Sky (Buzzin' Fly)
Unknown Feelin' Good / No Reply At All (Beatdown)
Bugz In The Attic Once Twice / Sounds Like (V2)
Lindstrom Another Side Of Lindstrom (Outergaze)
Coldcut Man In A Garage (Ninja Tune)
Example I Don't Want To / Loneliness Costs (All The Chats)
Liquid People pres. Danism feat. Monique Bingham Glance, Look, Stare (MN2S)
Rithma Here Now (Shakedown)
Rick Preston & DTC feat. Ras D The Magnet (Worship)
Swimmingpool Black Barry (Combination)
Sugar Daddy Love Honey (TIRK)
Moses McClean feat. Diamond Temple Always (Soul Groove)
Richard E Hear Me Now (Further Out)
Silicone Soul Inferno (Soma)
Audiomontage Fun Kit EP (Freerange)
Natasza & Oscarsix Demaged Milk (PE! Music)
Computerman No More Broken Hearts (Must Destroy)
Thanks to Matt at TIRK, Spacey at Rude Movements, Irfan at Rainy City, Tom at Phuture Lounge, Cara at Buzzin' Fly, Summerjoy and Rob at Worship, Doug at Toast, Kae at Outergaze, Heather at Sainted, Lucius & David at Outpost, Nicky & Jo at Phuturetrax, Gareth & Charles at Zzonked, Richard at Further Out, Jim & Caroline at Soma, Matt at Freerange, All at PE! Music and Peggy at Fistral for these
Syclops The Fly (TIRK)
Cat No: TIRK 015. Available Now.
Musical maniac Maurice Fulton returns with a typically warped pair of rump-shakers, released under his one-eyed mythological guise. "The Fly" sees screeching insectile synths whirr over dense drums and heavy metal type chords. At 33rpm, "Nelson's Back" is a peculiarly synthed and comatose keyed stoner, whereas wound up to 45 (-8), it takes on the appearance of an unstoppable bass squelcher.
RightKindaWrong Album Sampler (Rainy City Music)
Cat No: RCM0022. Promo.
Northern Neo-Soul is the flavour of this lavish album sampler from RightKindaWrong, which follows in the footsteps of their incredulous "Why U?" These tracks aren't really instant aural gratifiers, but repeat listens reveal their strength and addictive qualities. "Lately (Laters Mix)" wonders out loud, sitting on a bed of ear catching keys and imposing bass licks, whilst cutesy harmonicas get their say on the 'After 8' version. "I Like U" is a buttery true soul come on, as "Time 2 Play" places Plantlife esque vocals against a sombre musical support. Coarse bassonics meet on "Sometimes", where vocalist Miss Gilson indicates her state of mind, whilst "Ruffy Tuff" is a murky bassed number.
Phuturistix feat. Fyza Fly Away (Phuture Lounge)
Cat No: PL005. Release Date: 30th February 2006.
Phuturistix bring us a beautifully smooth slice of fractured soul, which is the premier offering from the Manc crew's new album. Breathtaking key floatiness, a crawling bass and knocking percussion sit dreamily under Fyza's enticing vocals on the original. Mark De Clive-Lowe provides a complimentarily aggressive refit, where at peace keys give way to vulgar bass work and savage beats.
Kayot Clear Sky (Buzzin' Fly)
Cat No: 016BUZZ. Release Date: 23rd January 2006.
Moscow's Kayot unleashes his sparkling debut on Buzzin' Fly, which features a simply gorgeous sun-soaked downbeat number, alongside the storming technoid A Side. Sharp pronged beats, confused keys and bass twinkles meet on the original of "Clear Sky", with Manoo & Francois A giving the track a tripped out pummelling keyed revision. The outstanding bonus cut, "One Week On Cuba", lets laboured key expressions take centre stage, as relaxed waves and muffled conversational strands drift out into the ether.
Unknown Feelin' Good / No Reply At All (Beatdown)
Cat No: BTDN 001. Available Now.
Philly's reverential Housers get on the illegitimate mix tip, bringing listeners these couple of naughty yet nice touch ups. The admirable "Feelin' Good'" gives an optimistic Jazz Queen the dancefloor treatment, as her fragile tones sweep over wise keys and brass rattles. "No Reply At All" brings in a broken soul diva to place her helpless vocals over bewitching keys and a bass of mystery.
Bugz In The Attic Once Twice / Sounds Like (V2)
Available Now.
Them Bugz are back in action as a conglomerate, after spending 2005 doing solo missions and working in other affiliations. Head straight for the pulverising bass shrieker entitled "Sounds Like", which is guaranteed to cause dancefloor pandemonium. Flip for "Once Twice", an animated key warmer, which is a little close to the mighty "Nervous Track" for comfort.
Lindstrom Another Side Of Lindstrom (Outergaze)
Cat No: OG 010. Release Date: January 2006.
Hans-Peter Lindstrom blesses the ever-reliable Outergaze imprint with an EP of wiggling cosmic disco and future house flavours, which represents a compilation of his early works. Spacey wide-eyed grooves are the order of the day on this attention-holding release. "Take Me To The Metro" is the pick here, courtesy of its crazily electrifying strings, ice-cool bass guitar and bright jazzed out keys. "Juazza" sees listen to me keys, forward beats and considerate guitars combine in a startling manner. "Eeey" has an impenetrable bass, which deflated beats, slow breathing keys and groovesome guitars sit upon. Spacey fun for all.
Coldcut Man In A Garage (Ninja Tune)
Cat No: ZENCDS176. Release Date: 9th January 2006.
Coldcut go all folky on us, with this ode to getting a quick mechanical fix. Pointed beats, folkily vibed guitars and frustrated vocals come together rather nicely on the original. Bonobo adds energy rich percussion and brings out the guitar flourishes on his retouch, whilst the Lemon Jelly mix sits stunning guitars upon threatening bass work.
Example I Don't Want To / Loneliness Costs (All The Chats)
Release Date: 6th February 2006.
Example is a London based lyricist, whose enviable way with words is reinforced by his clever delivery. "I Don't Want To" hovers between the sublime and the banal, as Example relays the difficulties of getting involved with a controlling lady, over robust beats and a cringeworthy sample. However, "Loneliness Costs" is the real deal, as tormented strings and distressed keys meet behind Example's tale of imploring a friend to change their destructive ways.
Liquid People pres. Danism feat. Monique Bingham Glance, Look, Stare (MN2S) Available Now.
Compelling NY vocalist Monique Bingham isn't afraid to speak her mind, as this startling collaboration with Danism shows. Bingham recalls the thrill of meeting a new love, backed by nimble beats and shifting in seat off-colour keys. The instrumental lets the show-off keys fly over travelling chords and smart beats.
Rithma Here Now (Shakedown)
Cat No: SDN 001. Available Now.
Worship launch their Shakedown imprint with a three tracker from the ever-consistent Rithma. First up is the jazzmatazz of "Here Now", where jiving beats, groovy little key shakes and excitable brass have the fun. "How We Do It" is a crazily keyed jumper, whilst the wonderful "How Insensitive" makes space for a rugged bass and tight keyonics.
Rick Preston & DTC feat. Ras D The Magnet (Worship)
Cat No: WOR.024. Available Now
The God fearing Worship wheels rumble on, this time inviting Rick Preston to contribute his musical ideas. "The Magnet" flips vocal pronouncements over tough beats and a committed bass. The 'Dubwise Mix' is dominated by swimming basstronics, which envelop level headed beats and homely key licks.
Swimmingpool Black Barry (Combination)
Cat No: 036-1. Release Date: 30th January 2006.
Swimmingpool make thought-provoking electronic compositions, which blend various styles with ease. "Black Barry" is a lovely synthilating cut, with wonderful key touches, quick-marching beats and sweet bass pushes. Beats chip away at the surface of "Carpet Sweeper", as happy with life keys stagger along in a daze.
Sugar Daddy Love Honey (TIRK)
Cat No: TIRK 010. Available Now.
Tom Findlay and Tim Hutton hook up for some plain, yet easy to consume, disco based revelry. The 'Electro' mix watches simple keys dance alongside an abrasive bass and simple beats, whilst a carried away key display drenches hurt vocals on the 'Acid' version. Synth tinkering and bass guitar groovations colour the 'Funk' touch-up.
Moses McClean feat. Diamond Temple Always (Soul Groove)
Available Now.
The ever consistent Soul Groove crew come correct with another soul embodying Houser, this time giving Moses McClean's "Always" the polish it deserved. Accommodating keys meet expressive vocals on the Soul Groove vocal version, whilst true keys, guitar tinkering and bass loveliness come to the fore on their instrumental mix.
Richard E Hear Me Now (Further Out)
Promo. Release Date: TBC.
Richard E delves further into the musical undergrowth on this EP, which follows the little 7" he released on his own Further Out imprint a while back. Strained synths, melodious vocal offerings and stop-start guitars provide the conversation on "Hear Me Now". "Dig Infinitt" blows a whispy flutes over a winding bass, as shaken vibraphones and heavenward gazing keys meet on "Dream Bossa". "Comin' A Find Ya" asks string questions, with embracing keys and an odd bass providing the answers.
Silicone Soul Inferno (Soma)
Cat No: SOMA 179. Available Now.
Silicone Soul bring us the last single from their "Staring Into Space" album, which has been revisited in style by the Dirt Crew. The original is dominated by unfriendly synths and rolls along at a pace, but the Dirt Crew turns up the thermostat a notch or two, courtesy of guitar grittiness and a smokin' bass.
Audiomontage Fun Kit EP (Freerange)
Cat No: FR 065. Available Now.
Freerange continue their enviable release schedule with another banging House effort from label boss, Jamie 'Jimpster' Odell. "Fun Kit" is exactly that, with excitable keys throwing the moves over hittin' beats and a lively bass. "Bounce 2 The Ounce" in original form is an electrified key mover, whilst the 'Squelch Mix' sees a filthy bass let rip over hard nosed synths and chiming keys.
Natasza & Oscarsix Demaged Milk (PE! Music)
Available Now.
This retro-toned three tracker shows that Polish technified House lovers PE! Music can compete with the big boys. "Demaged Milk" places mean sounding keys over smart beats and carried away bass groovings. "From The Old School" looks back, as hard-hitting beats, athletic chords and likeable keys hook up for the party. "Electronic Ride" is weighed down by a heavy bass, which moves under bright keys and synth lurve.
Computerman No More Broken Hearts (Must Destroy)
Available Now.
Synth-loving indie boys Computerman bring forward their first release, entitled "No More Broken Hearts". The title track is a mass of pleasing guitar work, posing keys and gritty bass work. "Watch More Television" almost shouts at the listener to spend more time observing and less time thinking, whilst lost vocals stumble over exposed keys and a jagged bass on "No_Recover (Demo)".
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
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