From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-06-13 00:32:14
Jon Freer’s Reviews 12th June 2005.
Albums and comps:
V/A – London Soul (Unisex)
Hawke – Love Won Another (Eighth Dimension)
Fauna Flash – Worx: The Remixes (Compost)
V/A – Shapes Red (Tru Thoughts)
V/A – Art Of Disco (Yellow Productions)
V/A – Ian Pooley Presents A Subterranean Soundtrack (NRK)
Thanks to Anton at Trailer Media, Q Burns, Gavin Hardkiss, Carina and Nadine at Compost, Sri at Dec Promotions, Steve at Timewarp and Nick at NRK for these…
V/A – London Soul (Unisex)
Cat No: usexcd/lp010. Release Date: 13th June 2005.
On home turf, chief compiler and sleeve note scribbler Adrian ‘Jazz Café’ Gibson has done a decent job compiling the close to home selection for his city worshipping series. Unsurprisingly, there are a few questionable inclusions and exclusions, such as featuring a track by D’nell, but leaving out hop soul favourites Break Reform. NSM’s “Don’t Say It” demands action as opposed to empty words, backed by roughened key work and nodding percussion. Terri Walker tries to sort out her “L.O.V.E.” life, ably assisted by romantic strings and cute keys. “Booty La La” features a growling bass and jagged synths, which battle under M’pho Skeef’s annoyed vocals. Gibson can be pleased with his selection of mostly heavy-hitting tracks, which loosely fall into the ‘soul’ category.
Hawke – Love Won Another (Eighth Dimension)
Release Date: 21st June 2005.
Gavin ‘Hawke’ Hardkiss understands what it takes to make ‘real songs’ as well as hot instrumental tracks. He couldn’t care less about style definitions or genrification, placing chilled out snoozers next to chunkily percussed numbers and guitarry blessed tracks, all which exude a neat experimental edge. The title track places positive vocals over slightly dirtied keys, pressurizing guitars and feet dragging drums. “The Hardest Kiss” vocalizes the pain of saying goodbye to a loved one, where you’re left with only lonesome guitars and a bitter bass when they’re gone. “Can You See The Love” searches desperately for affection, as miserable guitars move over smashing breaks and a snarling bass. “Love Won Another”, but please save some affection for this album!
Fauna Flash – Worx: The Remixes (Compost)
Cat No: Compost 186-2. Available Now.
This German twosome ditched the breakneck paced beats and rolling D&B basslines a while back, in order to bring down the tempo and look to other musical styles for inspiration. This comp finds them making beats and readjusting grooves in order to create remixes for a huge range of production operatives. “Shaken” by The Underwolves becomes a groovacious synth monster, with smiling keys, nervous strings and lively percussion. Megablast’s “Jubilata” is turned into an aggressive acidified cut, courtesy of a bass in a bad mood, flashing keys and mean synths. The brass on Hidden Agenda’s “Low Jazz Fidget” is heavily FXed, as serious chords and pondering keys provide the back up. The best moments on this CD are provided by driving House revisions, which bow to the dancefloor and also have enough substance for home listening.
V/A – Shapes Red (Tru Thoughts)
Cat No: TRU CD 091. Available Now.
Tru Thoughts continue their cheap-priced series with another choice serving of leftfield beats and soul-kissed offerings. Those familiar with the label will already know the drill, and for those that don’t, “Shapes” is a good place to start. The QSO’s pleading “Something That’s Real” goes to Bboy school and comes out in one piece, as Alice’s vocals drip soul over Nappa’s fattened beats and Life’s raping. “Do It” by UK Soul Goddess Alice Russell and Unforscene calls on love giving synths and a sprawling sax to persuade the listener to follow their desires. The most remarkable track on this CD is Scandinavian Disco don Prins Thomas’ Edit of Quantic’s “Mishaps Happening”, where the beats are given go faster stripes and guitars are seen through rose-tinted spectacles. Great value!
V/A – Art Of Disco (Yellow Productions)
Cat No: YPCD196. Available Now.
The established Yellow imprint picks up the clutch of 12’s they put out under the ‘artofdisco’ banner and shoves them altogether onto one CD. There are some really cringeworthy vocal efforts, which appear alongside a heap of fine bassy belters and cuts where the artists have obviously taken a dip in an acid bath. Freeform Five call on Carolyn Harding to provide invigorating vocals on the dignified string laden “Strength”. The Tiefshwarz rub of DJTal’s “Digital Love” pits floor-pulling beats against polite keys and an all-powerful bassline. The Mighty Bop give us “Strip Tease”, where a drawn out drum solo gives way to an elasticated guitar groove and strange shape making synths. “Art Of Disco” ain’t a ‘disco’ affair in the Salsoul way, but does use this flamboyant form of music as its base.
V/A – Ian Pooley Presents A Subterranean Soundtrack (NRK)
Cat No: NRKCD020. Release Date: 13th June 2005.
Pooley isn’t the type of producer who puts out the type of records he spins. Therefore there’s quite a different between the electrified wiggling grooves on his “A Subterranean Soundtrack” mix CD, and the toughened disco and elevating clubby House tracks that appear on CD 2, which contains his own productions and remixes. Highlights of the mix CD include the absorbingly keyed “Ca$h” from Mike Monday and Carl Craig’s traumatised string laced “No More Words”. As far as his own mixes and productions go, his revision of Noel Nanton’s “Your Love” stands out, courtesy of some thumping drums, dreamy brass and lost disco keys. Powerful stuff.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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