From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-06-23 12:29:16
Jon Freer’s Reviews 22nd June 2005.
Albums and comps:
Mr. Scruff – Mrscruff (Ninja Tune)
Will Saul – Space Between (Simple)
Alphabeat – Hours To Flowers (Prolifica)
Dwight Trible & The Life Force Trio – Love Is The Answer (Ninja Tune)
Ben Human – The Out Of Towner (Unique)
V/A – Subharmonic In Dub (Collision)
Thanks to Laura & James at Ninja Tune, Andy Carthy, Matt at EPM, Gerry Lyseight and Garo at Rooftop for these…
Mr. Scruff – Mrscruff (Ninja Tune)
Cat No: ZENCD112. Available Now.
Originally released via the inspirational Rob Gretton’s Pleasure imprint towards the end of the mid 90s, the untidy one’s debut gets another outing courtesy of his current imprint, Ninja Tune. The smiley melodies, quirky vocals and silly titles give an indication of the way Scruff’s sound was going to develop in the future, whilst his reliance on dark dubby hopped out grooves and spacey deepness show the other side of him, a serious music lover. “Sea Mammal” places sea fairing vocals over a submerged harmonica, abrupt drums and a wibbly wobbly bass. “Chicken In A Box” lets a flutist with huge lungs expel huge quantities of air through their chosen instrument in an almost Arabic style, backed by resplendent strings and messy percussion. “Night Time” helps calm the listener in time for sleep, courtesy of lullabying strings, snappy drums and starlight keys. Less jolly and overtly fun than later efforts, “Mrscruff” still packs a wonderful dubby punch, eight years after its
original outing.
Will Saul – Space Between (Simple)
Cat No: Simplecd01. Release Date: 4th July 2005.
Will Saul’s minimal “Space Between” LP will not easily fit into one musical category. Instead, lazy beats, dubbed out grooves and the occasional foray into techy uptemponess, characterise this assured debut from Saul. “Simple Things” calls on Lizzy Parks to provide the amorous vocals, which are backed by soothing keys and appeasing guitars. Marvellous spoken poet Ursula Rucker features on “Where Is It”, an angered number, with chubby beats and jaded cosmic keys. “Speak & Spell” lets pointed beats, enveloping strings and a cutting bass do the talking. A revelation of the best kind.
Alphabeat – Hours To Flowers (Prolifica)
Cat No: CDFICA 010. Release Date: July 2005.
Laidback nu-jazz grooves and ethereal guitarred compositions rule on this album from Alphabeat, which is a beautiful relaxation aid. Pierre Bastien adds musical colour to producer Daniel Parry’s compositions, whilst vocals are provided by two extremely talented singers, Nina Miranda and Diane Charlemagne. The title track sits Miranda’s angelic tones over unhappy strings, tapped keys and a rasping trumpet. The breathy trumpet and electric keys provide the venom on “Mosquitos”. “Real Thing” sees reliable guitars, nervous strings and bass twists argue over what is ‘real’. The perfect summer soundtrack.
Dwight Trible & The Life Force Trio – Love Is The Answer (Ninja Tune)
Cat No: ZENCD108. Release Date: July 2005.
Sounding like the wayward cousin of straight up hopping soul protagonists like the Platinum Pied Pipers et al, Trible’s off-kilter take on future soul sets him apart from the rest. Enlisting the talents of beat merchants like Sa-Ra and Madlib, Trible coats the wonderfully warped grooves with his singular positive vocal flow. “Equipoise” sees crazy jazzed synths erupt over careful beats and a purring bass. “The Rhythm” is a philosophically toned cut, with cagey minor keys and deadly sure beats. “A Love Supreme” is one of a number of gorgeous mini-tracks, where Trible’s high reaching vocals sit by calm piano keys and an inconsolable flute. Satisfying soul for the musically daring.
Ben Human – The Out Of Towner (Unique)
Cat No: 91-2. Release Date: 24th June 2005.
Cut and paste don Ben Human scoured the sample CDs that come with Future Music et al to come up with “The Out Of Towner”, an album of catchy groove-orientated compositions. A handful of cool interludes chop up an album that is a breeze on the ears, but could be easily forgotten with repeated exposure. “Take Me To Las Vegas” asks sprightly keys, gritty beats and squealing synths for a lift to the land of casinos. “Talk Is Cheap” sees roused synths, inflamed keys and a reliable bass do the business, as vocal sprinkles provide the icing. “Angry Computer” watches Ben battle with his equipment, aided and abetted by an upright bass and light hearted synths. Ben has managed to get a good deal of ‘humanness’ into this instrumentally toned, sample based album.
V/A – Subharmonic In Dub (Collision)
Cat No: CCT 3001-2. Release Date: 19th July 2005.
Now, this is a rather strange album from Bill Laswell and friends. Featuring a range of musical styles and in mood ranging from peaceful relaxers to head messing shouted numbers, this double CD is truly a mixed bag. Praxis’s “Wake The Dead” is a beautiful track, where kind-hearted and bad tempered guitars meet. Automaton’s “Asiyah Dub (Blinding The Starry Yes Of God)” takes its strength from strange brass, robotic typewriter action and east meets west percussion. Cypher 7’s offering is “Dead Drop”, which gives the listener an aural bathing, courtesy of chilled synths, cute keys and a low bass growl. A mind-expanding musical journey!
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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