From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-06-05 23:48:59
Jon Freer’s Reviews 5th June 2005.
Album selection:
Recloose – Hiatus On The Horizon (Peacefrog)
Fat Freddys Drop – Based On A True Story (Kartel)
Fly My Pretties – Live At Bats (Loop Recordings)
Ernest Ranglin – Alextown (Palm)
The Rurals – A Rural Life (Pêng)
XLOVER – Pleasure and Romance (Gigolo)
Thanks to Doug at Sainted PR, Lily at Peacefrog, Matt Chicoine, Anton at Trailer Media, Gerry Lyseight, The Rurals and Garo at Rooftop for these…
Recloose – Hiatus On The Horizon (Peacefrog)
Cat No: PFG 064. Release Date: 25th July 2005.
Recloose is one of the few music makers on the scene who defies easy categorisation and has a truly distinctive sound. This long-awaited album from the New Zealand based and Detroit schooled individualistic producer is a wonderfully twisted outing of modern electronic soul. “Landed” featuring Justin Chapman and Genevive Marenette is a full of life track, with a human sounding bass, life-questioning vocals and careful keys. A humongous floor filler, “Dust” derives its power from an infectious sax and Joe Dukie’s unapologetic vocals. “Why I Otta” is a mystical number, with spooked brass, screwed up vocals and fairy light keys. There are a couple of wince-inducing moments, but ‘Hiatus On The Horizon’ is destined to be a classic, due to the gorgeous nature of the majority of the tracks on this album.
Fat Freddys Drop – Based On A True Story (Kartel)
Cat No: KCDL 002. Release Date: 4th July 2005.
King improvisers and thoroughly engaging live performers, ‘Based On A True Story’ lets you into their world, where tender soul and roasted reggae rule. The music of the collective translates well onto record, and it’s easy to get lost in their touching melodies and sweet harmonies. “Ernie” places thinking aloud keys and all-powerful brass under inviting vocals. “This Room” is an ode to loving from afar, where stern percussion, an attention demanding bass and pursed-lipped brass collide. “Hope” is a heartening number, with sympathetic keys, a shapely bass and occasional handclaps. This album is impressive, but to truly understand where this New Zealand based collective are coming from, you need to experience their music live.
Fly My Pretties – Live At Bats (Loop Recordings)
Cat No: CDLPP 002. Release Date: 13th June 2005.
Recorded live at the Bats Theatre in Wellington, New Zealand, this beautiful album features some of the country’s finest musicians. ‘Live At Bats’ is a relaxing guitar based pearl, which has a true organic feel to it. “Lucky” is a devoted track, with fragile keys, a rugged bass and enthusiastic guitars. Cheery guitars and emotive vocals come together on the heart-warming “Singing In My Soul”. “Lets Roll” sees out of step keys, moody guitars and tormented vocals battle it out for supremacy. Soul-stirring music, and not a vampire in sight!
Ernest Ranglin – Alextown (Palm)
Cat No: PALM CD2132-2. Release Date: 13th June 2005.
This afro-leaning jazzy effort from Ernest Ranglin is a thoughtful affair, as colourful as an African headscarf. At times sad, and at others smile-inducingly happy, ‘Alextown’ was produced in Johannesburg, featuring contributions from the African Jazz Pioneers and the Mahotella Queens. “Pictures Of Jozy” is a melodiously vocalized cut, with running percussion, an unsettled bass and cool guitar action. “Joss Song” evokes Gotan Project type emotions, due to the appearance of an embracing accordion. The delightfully sounding “Amogumbi” will lift the listener, courtesy of its hyperactive percussion, dubby bass and guitar tinkering. Masterful Afro-Jamaican Jazz sounds from the distinguished Ranglin.
The Rurals – A Rural Life (Pêng)
Cat No: PENG CD 9. Available Now.
Those lovely nature-appreciating Rurals commemorate a decade of releasing records by unleashing ‘A Rural Life’, which is another sweet to the ear deeply-minded House album. A few tracks are perhaps a little ‘too nice’ and thus go in one ear and out the other, but on the whole, this is a choice collection of Rurally grooves. “Read Me Like A Book” uses stabbing beats, jazzed keys and nervous strings to back honest vocals. “Cinnamon” is an intensely percussed number, with floaty bass action and snazzy synths. “Slow Breathing” places graceful vocals over St. Germain type jazzified keys, a twisting and turning bass and banged out beats. House from the heart!
XLOVER – Pleasure and Romance (Gigolo)
Cat No: GIGOLO 152CD. Available Now.
Out to shock, XLOVER’s clashy synth-based sound complements their lyrics, which are downright explicit in places. Their debut longplayer is certainly not for the faint-hearted, and while the vocals can get a bit annoying in places, there are some strong tracks. “Sex Rebel” pairs hard to pin down beats with itching synths, under vocalist Nina Rai’s silly vocal. “U” sees tearing synths collide with smacking beats and a frantic bass. “In Love” pits pointed beats against spiky synths, pushy keys and lonely vocals. A salacious offering!
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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