From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-07-01 09:58:30
Jon Freer’s Reviews 30th June 2005.
Album & comp selection:
V/A – Sound Sampler Part 1 (Sound Signature)
V/A – Southport Weekender Album 3 (suSU)
Ammon Contact – New Birth (Ninja Tune)
V/A – Broadcite Unplugged Vol One: New Beginnings (Broadcite Productions)
Noiseshaper – Rough Out There (Sounds From The Roof)
V/A – Basswerk Sessions Vol. 2 (Basswerk)
Thanks to Howard at Sound Signature, Sarah at Favouritizm, Laura at Ninja Tune, Ben at BKS and Garo at Rooftop for these…
V/A – Sound Sampler Part 1 (Sound Signature)
Cat No: SSCD2. Available Now.
Here lies a stellar collection of individualistic cuts from unfamiliar figures and known underground players. Warped downbeat offerings rub shoulders with persistent teched up housey offerings on this characteristically mind-expanding compilation from Theo Parrish’s esteemed Sound Signature imprint. Hanna’s offering is a dreamy jazzed up number, with a fuzzy bass, wigged out guitars and cosmic synths. The track from Incahoots gives the life story of ‘Peanut’, over coarse guitars and various percussive layers. Duminnie Deporres calls on vocalist Umar Bin Hassen to supply unsettling vocals, which penetrate the burning guitars and slow-stepping drums that below. A magnificent taster…
V/A – Southport Weekender Album 3 (suSU)
Cat No: SUALBCD11. Release Date: 18th July 2005.
The last instalment from Blaze and Joaquin Claussell may have delved a little deeper than many Southport fans like to swim, but this chapter should satisfy many more of the hordes that descend on Pontins twice yearly for a weekend of life-affirming soul-kissed dancing. Parisian style God Dimitri serves up mix one, a veritable banquet of good-natured disco and lovely house gems. Highlights of his set include the optimistically keyed club mix of The Sunburst Band’s “He Is”, and an exhilarating piano led epic from Jihad Muhammed called “Movement Blues”. Jazzie B rolls out the relaxed soul and groovesome funked out flavours on the second disc, where choice moments include the Young Disciples’ disenchanted “Apparently Nothing” and Wookie’s miraculous “Battle”. New York House man-of-the-moment Quentin Harris round off this impressive comp in style, with an energetic soulful selection. Key tracks on Quentin’s disc are Laid’s educational “Punch Up” and Quentin’s own glorious
“You Can’t Have New York”, where Monique Bingham paints a negative picture of the big apple, over shape making strings and a liquidous bass. Outstanding.
Ammon Contact – New Birth (Ninja Tune)
Cat No: ZENCD105. Available Now.
This brilliant 35-minute collection from Mr. Contact flits between haunting blunt hop, stoned to the eyeballs broken beat and wired downbeat. In a matter of minutes, Ammon has created a soundscape that one doesn’t listen to, but is instead drawn to and virtually becomes a part of. “Naeem” sees eerie musical keys scare the pants off a rough guitarred bass and slapped beats. “New Birth” ushers life into the world, as cascading keys helplessly stumble over relaxing clapped beats and a petrified bass. “Omniverse 2” watches horror film organ keys do a macabre dance with gritty guitars and pleasant vocal oohs. Enter Contact’s world at your own risk…
V/A – Broadcite Unplugged Vol One: New Beginnings (Broadcite Productions)
Cat No: BROAD 001. Available Now.
Broadcite’s debut comp is a mixed affair of eager to please smooth nu-soul and simpleton fracturedly beaten offerings. Altered Natives’ “Rising Aquacean” sees hurtling beats, sharp strings and lifting guitars combine on an enthusiastic number. Unisonic’s “East West” is a undemanding beauty, with grandiose violins and guitars left alone with only their thoughts for company. “It’s Love” by Tubbs watches poised keys, languid brass and solemn vox combine on a composition that could make the listener romantically vulnerable when hearing this track. There are a few incredibly tasty morsels, but unfortunately “Unplugged Vol One” leaves your stomach growling for more choice ingredients.
Noiseshaper – Rough Out There (Sounds From The Roof)
Cat No: SFTR 0001. US Release Date: Early July 2005
Dubby operatives Noieshaper mould more sonic shapes on this LP for Sounds From The Roof. Easygoing natured reggae and dubbed up pieces are the mainstay of this album, which is a little dull in places, but does contain some lovely stoned moments. “This Is Not A Gunthing” is instead a number about vocal prowess, where strings to take note of, chill with hitting beats. “Perdido” is simply a gorgeous Iberian guitar-addled number, where strings whisper lovingly. “Bushmaster” preaches an anti-violence message over synth touches and a low reaching bass. Music for the summer!
V/A – Basswerk Sessions Vol. 2 (Basswerk)
Available Now.
German D&B protagonists show the diversity of their repertoire on this double album set. There are more than tracks on this compilation and to be honest, not every one is a killer, but there are some pretty damn tasteful sonic assaults on both CDs. CD one includes Taxi Driver’s speaker rattling “Toytonic”, Misanthrop’s Ed Rush and Optical style bassline twister called “Eis Remix (Edit)” and the rolling guitar funk of Basztart & Acoustic B’s “Goblinson”. Highlights on the second disc come in the shape of the nasty bass assault of Misanthrop’s “Hölle (VIP Edit)”, The Green Man’s bass tremouring “Funk Electric”, and the heady key groove of TGM’s “Keep It Simple (edit)”. Firing D&B from the continent!
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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