From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-03-13 22:21:09
Jon Freer’s Reviews 13th March 2005.
Albums & Comps:
José González – Veneer (Peacefrog/Agenda)
Gaelle – Transient (Naked Music)
V/A – Most Rated Miami (Defected)
V/A – Brothers On The Slide (Sanctuary)
V/A – Select Cuts From Oracabessa (Select Cuts)
Leo Tardin w/ Jojo Mayer & Ferenc Nemeth – Grand Pianoramax (Obliq Sound)
Thanks to Lily at Peacefrog, Nathan at Dog Day Press, Ben at Fluid Nation, Toni T at Defected, Dan at Noble PR and Ben at BKS for these…
José González – Veneer (Peacefrog/Agenda)
Cat No: PFG066. Release Date: April 25th 2005.
The honesty of José’s heartfelt compositions draws you into his life and then your feelings become putty in his hands. He keeps you captivated by his heart-stopping lyrics, aided and abetted by only a single acoustic guitar. “Lovestain” charts the difficulty of falling out of love, as breathless guitars and clappy Latin percussive waves provide the backing. “Hints” sums up the helplessness we can all feel, with bewitching guitars applying pressure in all the right places. “Broken Arrows” features a visionary trumpet, which provides a mournful counter-melody to José’s cutting guitars. Why Techno and other electronic music providers Peacefrog have chosen to unleash his album in the UK is anyone’s guess, but we should be thankful they have done!
Gaelle – Transient (Naked Music)
Promo.
It seems an awfully long time since Naked Music burst onto the scene in a flurry of de-robed female figures, ‘real songs’ and sultry house grooves. The imprint has expanded a great deal since those days, today straddling various musical horses, whilst still retaining an important slickness. This album from smooth tonsilled vocalist Gaelle balances brilliant songs against lukewarm numbers that leave you a little underwhelmed. “Falling” plummets courtesy of warming guitars, crashing percussion and vocals that opt for love instead of rational thought. “Give It Back” is an anthem for the emotionally scarred, where silk covered honey keys sit by hissing percussion and a supple bass. “Fade Away” finds coping a little hard, as rippling in the wind guitars and a bitter bass attempt to unlock the key to invisibility. More for coffee table listening than bar or club play, “Transient” is a soothing listen, but it doesn’t have the passion or catchiness of the label’s early release!
s.
V/A – Most Rated Miami (Defected)
Cat No: RATED02. Release Date: March 21st 2005.
The WMC may no longer hold the attraction it once did to all, since every scenester and wannabe artists decided to descend on the sunshine state in late March, however the festival is still held in regard by a large proportion of the music industry. Defected have polled a legion of DJs in order to get their top tips for the records that are going to kick it in the daytime swimming pool parties and hush hush invite-only evening soirees. The first “Most Rated” comp featured a lot of emotionally challenged funkless guff and thankfully there’s much less of that and more credible material here. Sara Devine’s “Special” is truly that, with Louie Vega’s steady beats, organified keys and gold encrusted guitars complementing the lass’s friendly vocals wonderfully. Sandy Rivera’s comes up trumps with KOT’s “No Te Vaya”, as mind-expanding silver synths, Latino guitars and exciting keys doing the business. DJ Technic gives us “Gabryelle”, a devastating string scorcher. There’s Hous!
e for all on this comp.
V/A – Brothers On The Slide (Sanctuary)
Cat No: DQFCD006. Release Date: 21st March 2005.
Put together by Bluey from acid-jazzsters Incognito, “Brothers on The Slide” is an album of cool groovers, healing string led stirrers and the most soulful of cuts. It documents the development of British Funk, an often-neglected musical form. Cymande’s “Brothers On The Slide” eases along, courtesy of patting kit percussion, ear turning guitars and brass to stand and stare at. “Vulture” by Labi Siffre exposes the sly pick up techniques of those who swoop down on the vulnerable, backed by cymbadellic percussion and stumbling strings. Doris Troy’s “Stretchin’ Out” pits high spirited strings against humming guitars and vocals that have found peace of mind. Good quality homegrown music.
V/A – Select Cuts From Oracabessa (Select Cuts)
Release Date: Early April 2005.
Many reggae lovers do not hold UB40 in very high regard, due to the poppy nature of their music. Here they attempt to re-address the balance with a compilation showcasing the rude bwoy garage, tuff dancehall numbers and meandering reggae cuts from their very own Oracabessa imprint. Crissy D & Lady G’s “Girls Like Us” (Oarcabessa Remix) sees the pair represent for the fairer sex over a dubby bass and watery keys. Mr Vegas gives us “Western End” (B 15 RMX), a gunshot riddled garage number, where the prowess of a certain crew is denoted alongside smiley keys and a rising bass. “Peace In The Dance” (Nu Skool Players Remix) by Musical Sniper sees an impossible to penetrate bass cover shot beats and coasting vocals. A patchy affair.
Leo Tardin w/ Jojo Mayer & Ferenc Nemeth – Grand Pianoramax (Obliq Sound)
Promo.
Ivory tickler extraordinaire Leo Tardin has created a pianocentric album for jazzy dudes and dudettes the world over. Minimal in appearance, percussion and keys play a large role here. “Starlite” hits home most convincingly, courtesy of its almost K-Dope style drumming, pretty Rhodes patterns and effortlessly lovely piano runnings. “The Walk” strolls along, as a twisted bass vomits under lazy drums and fragile pianos. “The Space Race (East Vs West)” turns out to be an even match, with slap around percussion and encircling pianos unable to break each other down. Keyed jazziness for followers of the old and nu school.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
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