From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-05-13 00:26:43
Jon Freer's Reviews 12th May 2005.
Message for those of you in Mcr, UK: I'll be spinning at All That Jazz at the Music Box on Sat May 21st.
Longplayer selection:
V/A – Electric Soul Vol. 3: Summer Sunset (Electric Chair/PIAS)
V/A – Gilles Peterson In Africa (Ether)
The Dining Rooms – Experiments In Ambient Soul (Schema)
Diesler – Diggin It Somethin Rotten (Tru Thoughts)
V/A – International DJ Gigolo Records Compilation 8 (Gigolo Records)
V/A – Verve Remixed 3 (Verve Music Group)
Thanks to Isabel at Pias, Paul at Ether, Ben BKS, Sri at Tru Thoughts, Garo at Rooftop and Lucy at Elemental Consulting for these…
V/A – Electric Soul Vol. 3: Summer Sunset (Electric Chair/PIAS)
Cat No: CHAIR010. Release Date: 6th June 2005.
To some, the music that the Unabombers pick for these comps is chill out material, but those familiar with the wonderfully inviting Music Box based night will recognise the tracks as warm up ammunition and ‘Chair anthems’. Steering clear of the Disco and overtly pulse-racing House side of the ‘Bombers sound, this CD of mainly recently released cuts is comfortable on the living room stereo, as well as an accessory to dancing. The Sunburst Band’s “Far Beyond” is a mystical journey into a land inhabited by glazed-eyed synths, shining guitars and glorious jazz keys. 4 Hero’s re-rub of Plantlife’s “When She Smiles She Lights The Sky” sees standing up straight keys join clomping percussion and playing along guitars on an enlightening track. Jazztronik’s “Samurai” ends the CD wonderfully, with liquefied keys writhing over a bed of gazing strings and martial art disciplined percussion. This collection is another veritable banquet of soul satiating music from Luke and Justin. !
V/A – Gilles Peterson In Africa (Ether)
Cat No: ETHCD005. Available Now.
The jazzphile extraordinaire decamped to Africa in order to hunt down a CD’s worth of jazz leaning music from the huge continent, before returning home to pick out a selection of African influenced music from Western artists for Disc 2. He has picked out some truly great tracks, both in relation to those of African origin, and tracks that pay tribute to Afrobeat and other styles from the landmass. The first CD, entitled ‘The Soul’, contains Manu Dibango’s “New Bell” where brass blast out over rhythmic drumming and electrifying guitars. Also featured here is Fela Ransome-Kuti & The Africa 70’s neat key and horn grooved entitled “Ye Ye De Smell” and Mulatu Astatqé’s “Mulatu”, with its fuss making cymbals, teary-eyed sax and clean keys. Part 2, the ‘Spirit’ kicks off with MAW feat. Wunmi’s “MAW Expensive (A Tribute To Fela)”, as triumphant brass partner enchanting keys and free as a bird flutes. Lekan Babalola’s “Aso Kere” as remixed by IG Culture is a confrontational
broken cut with sharp teethed percussion and pressurizing synths, whilst Carl Craig’s revision of Cesaria Evora’s “Angloa” is a revolving bass fuelled cut. Steering clear from weak Afro-beat house ups and dully percussion heavy numbers, this is a wonderful introduction to the music of Africa for those who like it a little jazzy.
The Dining Rooms – Experiments In Ambient Soul (Schema)
Cat No: SC 389. Available Now.
Relying heavily on live instruments when carrying out their research, this album from forward-thinking jazzers The Dining Rooms is a little soulier than some of their previous output. They have a tendency to stray out of key in places, but overall, “Experiments In Ambient Soul” produces good quality results. “Afrolicious” is a yummy driving houser, with up and at them beats, a rhythm riding double bass and eternally fashionable Rhodes. “Within” combines Ursula Rucker style spoken vocals with gracefully sung warbling over hopeless keys and an earth-moving bass. The see-through bass on “Thin Ice” could be likened to the words of the title, as it sits under light-headed keys and insecure vocals. Buon.
Diesler – Diggin It Somethin Rotten (Tru Thoughts)
Cat No: TRUCD 075. Available Now.
Taking cues from label mate Quantic and others who break their beats in a Tru Thoughts stylee, “Diggin It Somethin Rotten” is an assured debut from 20-year-old Diesler. There are some really happy moments on this album, but also a few bad tempered low points. “Cotton Wool” takes its strength from a mad trumpeter’s parping, which blasts over melodious keys and head knocking together percussion. “Dawn Of The Dead” isn’t as ominous as it sounds, courtesy of shivering percussion, smoky brass and weaving strings. “Heist Theme” is a bit grimy, as ridiculously confrontational beats pick a fight with stressed vocals and a filthy bass. Cut and paste fun for all the family!
V/A – International DJ Gigolo Records Compilation 8 (Gigolo Records)
US Release Date: 26th May 2005.
The grimly named Hell has cast his ears over the current crop of artists signed to his Gigolo label, and here is a taste of their wares. Ranging from defiant electroid numbers to punky hitters, angular house and searing techno, this comp shows how broad in scope Hell’s imprint is at the moment. CD 1 contains Crack: WAR’s eccentric bass driven “The Skull”, the distinctly keyed “Sweet Sensation” from Huntermann and Mick Wills stomach churning “War Of The Nations”. The techier CD 2 features Communista Como Hijo’s “Diskko 5000”, where a turntable spinback type bass, stabbing beats and vocals unable to form proper words meet. The Model’s insistent “Give In To Me” and Mihal Popoviciu’s “Sexy Spenders”, with its filled down synths, conversation snatch vocals and bearing down bass. Every one of the 27 tracks isn’t outstanding, but there are some damn fine moments on this comp.
V/A – Verve Remixed 3 (Verve Music Group)
Available Now.
Easily the weakest in the series so far, here Verve have chosen some pretty insensitive beat constructors to revise the label’s output. That means that whilst there are a few lovely remixes, it feels like the original artists have been violated on a hell of a lot of the reproductions. Bent have produced an understanding remix of Billie Holiday’s “Speak Low”, where pure sounding keys, sweet flutes and clip clop horse like beats back vocals with so much character. RSL’s revision of Anita O’Day’s “Sing Sing Sing” should make people smile, courtesy of its rousing keys, jumping about beats and springy bass. Master producer Carl Craig doesn’t let Hugh Masekela down on “The Boy’s Doin’ It”, where sub bass slams, a synth spiralling out of control and infectious keys do the do. Overall, this is a disappointing third outing, when one considers how wonderful the first two comps in this series were.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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