From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-06-26 18:03:45
Jon Freer’s Reviews 26th June 2005.
Singles:
Teddy Douglas – The Path (Basement Boys)
Those Guys – I Walk Alone (Basement Boys)
Hird – Moving On (Remixed) (DNM)
Mojo Project – Free (S.U.M.O. Rebounces) (Lovemonk)
Bakura – Album Sampler (Especial)
The Five Corners Quintet – Cornerstones EP (Ricky-Tick)
V/A – Urbanize Vol 2 (Urbanize)
Fabolous – Baby (DFA Shelter Mix) (Desert Storm/Atlantic)
Alex Smoke – OK (Soma)
V/A – Flybombs Vol. 1 (Flygaric Tracks)
Harri & The Revenge – Freex Squeex (Bosh)
Kano – Remember Me (679)
The Beatmakers – Sound Like This (In The Making)
Fear of Music – EP (Blowout)
Iain Archer – Boy Boy Boy / Worth (PIAS)
Thanks to Marica at Talking Music Productions, Nik Weston, Andreas at DNM, Spacey at Rude Movements, Chloe at Urbanize, Johnny De Mairo, Jim at Soma, Steve at Flygaric, Ian at Bosh, Ruth at Toast, All at In The Making, Will at In House Press and Isabel at Pias for these…
Teddy Douglas – The Path (Basement Boys)
Cat No: BBR 067. Available Now.
Every once in a while, a House record comes along that’s outrageously simple, yet devastatingly effective, and makes most other records with the same production values sound rather one-dimensional. This record from Baltimore based Teddy Douglas is one of those killer compositions. Armed with little more than compassionate strings, earnest keys and a powerful percussion section, “The Path” is a straightforward journey to dancefloor destruction. The ‘Sunset Mix’ sees heartbeat type keys and dependable strings take centre stage, before the percussion kicks in half way through. In the right hands, this could be 2005’s “Sandcastles”!
Those Guys – I Walk Alone (Basement Boys)
Cat No: BBR 066. Available Now.
Natty dresser and all round musical cool cat, masterchef Dimitri from Paris serves up a mouth watering revision of “I Walk Alone”. With a healthy dose of filters, floor gazing discotastic strings and relentless synths, Dim has sharpened the record in a rather impressive manner. Jay’s Re-edit of the original sees punching beats partner elegant strings under the lonely full vocal.
Hird – Moving On (Remixed) (DNM)
Release Date: July 2005.
Here, a few musical moments from young Gothenburg future jazz maestro Hird’s breathtaking debut LP have been retreated in a startling fashion. The Do Right mix of “I Love You My Hope” is an outstanding broken hop version, where a plugging away bass and percussion niceness fit comfortably alongside gorgeous brass and heart-touching keys. Smiles Ahead provide a sticky synthed revision of “Moving On”, as The Knife turn “Keep You Kimi” into an eerily keyed and oddly vocalised mix. Hird’s own refix of “Keep You Kimi” is a surprisingly tough offering, where the translucent keys of the original are annoyingly destroyed by stumbling synths and a weighty bassline.
Mojo Project – Free (S.U.M.O. Rebounces) (Lovemonk)
Release Date: July 2005.
Unexpectedly thin Swedes S.U.M.O. take the Mojo Project for an Afro-Latin flavoured night on the town, where they proceed to get the Madrid based group drunk and teach them how to party, S.U.M.O. style. The ‘Samba Bounce’ is a magical retooling, where heavenly keys, vivacious synths and shaken broken-house percussion link up rather spectacularly. S.U.M.O.’s ‘Vocal Bounce’ is a straight up guitarred revision, whilst the ‘Bossa Bounce’ is an easygoing bass groover, but neither are in the same league as the wonderful ‘Samba’ revision.
Bakura – Album Sampler (Especial)
Release Date: July 2005.
The remarkable Japanese imprint returns with a rather tasty album preview from Domu and Robert Marin’s jazz-kissed Bakura project. “Play Tha Game” encourages the listener to join the entertainment, courtesy of fattened drums, flute niceness and key wiggles. “Bada” is an energetically percussed number, where liquidous keys and a friendly sax dance, whilst “Lately” struggles to control an insatiable flute. “Gregarious” rounds off the EP with some fast and furious drumming, fuzzy synths and gooey key action.
The Five Corners Quintet – Cornerstones EP (Ricky-Tick)
Cat No: RT 006. Release Date: July 2005.
The pentagonal Finish collective serve up another choice helping of fresh-sounding 21st century Jazz. “Straight Up” is as forward as one would expect, with glamorous keys and pleasant brass providing the ear candy. Mark Muprhy comes over all apologetic on “Before We Say Goodbye”, expressing his guilty conscience over keys that wipe away the tears and a flute to fall for. “Blue Cycles” circles, as Okou’s vocals connect with an optimistic vibraphone and strings that live in a world of their own.
V/A – Urbanize Vol 2 (Urbanize)
Cat No: URBI 002. Release Date: 25th July 2005.
Fledgling Manc imprint Urbanize serve up R&B, Hip Hop and dancehall flavours on this varied EP. By far the strongest track is Raze ‘n’ Ryze “Away”, where Sapphire’s romantic vocals provide a perfect contrast to R ‘n’ R’s rapped narrative, which is backed by a rough guitar and shuffly beats. A mention must also go to Maria Marcial’s “I Don’t Love U Like That”, a smooth souled cut with unhappy vocals, encourageable guitar and swinging drums. 2FO’s dancehall rhythmics and Rayze ‘n’ Ryze’s weekend praising efforts on the flip aren’t quite in the same league as the sweetly vocalized tracks on the A side.
Fabolous – Baby (DFA Shelter Mix) (Desert Storm/Atlantic)
Promo.
The House remix duo, not to be confused with the punky funkers or indie rawkers, do the business once more, and on this occasion, they’ve actually been commissioned to do the refix. Their ‘Shelter Mix’ sees Fabolous’ pitched up vocals speed along over glossy keys, a funked bass and lovely synth action.
Alex Smoke – OK (Soma)
Cat No: SOMA 174. Release Date: 25th July 2005.
Here is more tech finery from Smoke, who understands the benefits making his records a little different from those made by the next guy. Alex’s ‘Indifferent Mix’ pits pointed beats against a lurching bass and strobe-like keys. Jay Haze’s ‘Trippin’ At The P-Bar Dub’ lengthens the track considerably, as a gurgling bass and well-behaved strings take pride of place on his revision. The tiny “Nuance” is a lightfooted percussive effort, with a hollow bass and flickering keys.
V/A – Flybombs Vol. 1 (Flygaric Tracks)
Cat No: FLY 100. Download only - available exclusively from www.stompy.com
Community Housin have raided their office in order to come up with various musical goods. “Detriot” is a slowish houser, with sunshine keys and thoughtful synths. The Housin crew’s revision of Dubble D’s “Rok Da Spot” is a jumped up number, where thumping beats and squeezed synths dominate. Pained synths, focused beats and a squidgy bass rule the roost on the Neglected Remix of The Neglectarinos featuring Chris Jam’s “Searchin’”, whilst Funky Transport provide a weirdly vocalised touch up.
Harri & The Revenge – Freex Squeex (Bosh)
Cat No: Bosh 1238. Available Now.
Glasgow groovesters Harri and The Revenge get down for some tracky bumpers on Toka’s Bosh imprint. The highlight here is “See Saw”, with its yelping synths, techy key hits and demented flute. The title track is a wonky keyed effort, where an out of control bass rides high.
Kano – Remember Me (679)
Available Now.
Touted as the next star of London’s notorious grime scene, Kano proves he’s got the talent on this effort for 679. Head straight to the violent “Mic Check 1, 2 (Remix)” featuring Ghetto & Demon, where an evil bass and tearing beats fight under aggressive vocals. “Remember Me” is structured rather well, but is it possible to take what Kano’s saying seriously on a tune where the Latin stylings he’s employed are ever so reminiscent of the theme music to a revealing NY based TV series, where ladies’ lives revolve around relationships and nothing else?
The Beatmakers – Sound Like This (In The Making)
Cat No: ITM 010. Available Now.
Bravado and self-confidence is they key on this outing from The Beatmakers. The ‘Pass The Mic Mix’ lets a crew of vocalists deliver over a tough bass and circling beats. Blazing keys come to fore on the ‘Pass The Mic Instrumental’, whilst the ‘R&B Club Mix’ is a much smoother version. The ‘Brush Riddim Dancehall Mix’ sees sharp synths and smashing beats ride alongside the various vocalists.
Fear of Music – EP (Blowout)
Cat No: BLWT01. Release Date: 11th July 2005.
This youthful Manc four-piece shouldn’t be scared of anything, expect possibly the emotion mauling power of their compositions. “A Strange Kind of Terror” throws heaving guitars under pleading vocals, whilst “Hey Princess” mocks wonderfully. “Skin & Bones” is a bittersweet piece, which should make you stop and think, whereas “The Creeps” is a paranoid trip into a guitar-fuzzed haze. “The Waltz” is a perturbing track with a twist in the tail, whilst from the sound of “Millions Screaming” one can assume they’re yelling from pain and not joy.
Iain Archer – Boy Boy Boy / Worth (PIAS)
Cat No: CDPIASX058. Available Now.
Relaxed guitar-based pondering is the flavour of this release from Mr. Archer. “Boy Boy Boy” is the more upbeat of the two tracks, with bright-eyed guitars and advice giving vocals. “Worth” is the smarter of the two, and Archer’s guitar has a sweet sadness to it.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
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Publications include -
Keep On Magazine
Blues & Soul Magazine
XLR8R Magazine
City Life Magazine
Inner Loop Magazine
littleplanet.net
pitchadjust.com
beyondjazz.net
deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
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