From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-05-22 23:39:11
Jon Freer’s Reviews 22nd May 2005.
Album selection:
Kid Sublime – Basement Soul (Kindred Spirits)
Broadway Project – In Finite (Grand Central Records)
Solu Music feat. Kai Martin – Affirmation (Solu Music)
V/A – Blaze Present Underground Artists United For Life ‘Keep Hope Alive’ (suSU)
Kinny & Horne – Forgetting To Remember (Tru Thoughts)
Alan Braxe & Friends – The Upper Cuts (Different/PIAS)
Thanks to Ben BKS, Sapna at Grand Central, Sarah at Favouritizm, Sri at Dec Promotions and Isabel at PIAS for these…
Kid Sublime – Basement Soul (Kindred Spirits)
Cat No: KS010LP/CD. Release Date: Late May 2005.
The debut album from the young Sublime sees him leave behind dalliances with sub-Theo Parrish type House groovings in order to focus on slippery soul, hip-hopped cuts and blunted disco feelings. The former Rednose Distrikt player has produced a pretty individualistic album, which should win him a wealth of plaudits. “Lookin’ At Me”, featuring Lady Alma and Jneiro Jarel recalls the power of physical attraction, over patted beats and silky keys. The Afrokosmetics join Sublime on “I’ll Be Waitin’”, where emphatically hit beats join encouraging vocals and smoothed out synths on a heartening journey. U-Gene sounds a little like sugary nu-soul daddy Amp Fiddler on a calming track entitled “The Way”. Off-kilter soul and Hopped stylings for those bored of traditional sounding grooves.
Broadway Project – In Finite (Grand Central Records)
Cat No: GCCD140. Release Date: 6th June 2005.
Grand Central cast their net even wider with this album of emotionally demanding music from Dan ‘Broadway Project’ Berridge. His pedestrian jazz-veined compositions, which rely heavily on their musicality for strength, do sound a little overblown in places. However, Dan normally manages to keep his feet on the ground, even though his head is obviously in the clouds. “I, Partisan” sees a sax tangled up in a web of its own making attempt to extricate itself over refined keys and pedestrian beats. “Solar, Lunar” watches nervous beats officiate in a contest between a complaining sax and intellectual keys. “Message From The East” is a haunting key-led number, with righteous drumming, rustling paper and inconsolable strings. “In Finite” will not charm those after a painless musical hit, but the CD will reward listeners prepared to commit fully to the music and be enveloped by Dan’s touching compostions.
Solu Music feat. Kai Martin – Affirmation (Solu Music)
Cat No: solu 010. Release Date: 13th June 2005.
Solu Music’s debut album features only tracks vocalized by Kai Martin, so there’s no room for the gorgeous “Fade” or “Naturally”, which the angelic Kimblee featured on. Kai Martin has stepped into Kimblee’s shoes and from the quality of the stylish smooth housers and slower souly tracks it’s fair to say that the singers take a similar size in footwear, even if Kai hasn’t quite managed to pull a “Fade” out of the bag. “Can’t Help Myself” sees open-eyed keys, fizzing synths and layered guitars back Kai’s vocals that describe the difficulty of being unable to control one’s romantic feelings. “Marcello” is a beautiful instrumental cut, with keys to fall for, exquisite strings and guitar loveliness. Kai takes a walk up the “Blvd”, where embracing strings, full-figured organ chords and straight-hitting beats offer her solace. This is a stunning musical offering from Solu and Kai, but lets hope Kimblee returns to the fold in the future.
V/A – Blaze Present Underground Artists United For Life ‘Keep Hope Alive’ (suSU). Cat No: SUALBCD 8. Release Date: 13th June 2005.
Charity tie-in website: www.lifebeat.org
Snapped up from the legendary King St. Sounds imprint, this album from Blaze and a host of large-lunged god honouring vocalists, including Byron Stingly, Ultra Nate and Arnold Jarvis, has been produced in support of LIFEbeat, a musically-orientated AIDS awareness organisation. Blaze took up production duties on every one of the supremely soulful tracks that have made it on to this collection, where certain vocalists reign supreme due to their songwriting and or singing ability. Joi Cardwell’s “Be Yourself” is a heartening vocal number, with melancholic guitars and pained strings. Blaze’s own “We Are One” pleads for love and understanding amongst all humanity, over an Incognito type brass display and pushing percussion. The remix disc sees stateside and UK based production outfits get the chance to put their own spin on tracks that make an appearance on CD 1. The outstanding revision is Dennis Ferrer’s huge ‘Future 3000 Mix’ of Barbara Tucker, where triumphant keys,
magnificent strings and banging beats sit behind Ms. Tucker’s invigorating vocal display. Blaze treat us to another heart-warming musical display here.
Kinny & Horne – Forgetting To Remember (Tru Thoughts)
Cat No: TRUCD/LP 079. Available Now.
This funk-addled debut album from Espen Horne and vocalist Kinny fits the Tru Thought mould pretty snugly. There are delightfully touching songs on this album, but this collection also contain a number of frankly annoying vocal efforts. Kinny scalds an acquaintance on “Dignity”, where wide-eyed harping and lost in thought keys provide the backing. “Sacred Life” harnesses a Roni Size “Brown Paper Bag” era type double bass under matter of fact keys and bold vocals. “G.I. Right” is a demonstrative cut with a lonely guitar and helpful vocals. It will be exciting to see how Kinny & Horne’s sound develops.
Alan Braxe & Friends – The Upper Cuts (Different/PIAS)
Cat No: DIFFB1041CD/DLP. Release Date: 6th June 2005.
Disco vulture Alan Braxe went to the same French finishing school as Daft Punk, working with Thomas Bangalter of the duo on the hit Stardust single and releasing “Vertigo” on Thomas’ cult Roulé imprint. “The Upper Cuts” is not an artist album, but instead draws together a host of tracks that Alan has made alone and alongside likeminded artists over the years. “Most Wanted”, produced with Fred Falke, is an ace 80s inspired track, with steady percussion and glitterball shining synths. Stardust’s “Music Sounds Better With You” rose to prominence thanks to its tireless guitar action, excited beats and a vocal hook that describes how experiences can be enhanced when shared with your nearest and dearest. “Vertigo” sees jumping up and down beats clear the way for heavily filtered synths to do the damage. This album is only really worth investigating for those who don’t own any of the aforementioned tracks, as many of the others are dated filter disco outings.
Disco Diary recommendations:
All are for events in Manchester, UK.
Thu 26th May – Friends of Music at Centro, w/ Danny Webb and Steve Perry.
Fri 27th May – Fat City Soul at the Rosetti, w/ Bob Jones, Mike Stephens and Darren Laws.
Sat 28th May – Electric Chair at the Music Box, w/ Benji B, Electric Souls Soundsystem (comprising the Unabombers, Vocalist Pete Simpson and Percussionist Chris Cruikes), Jneiro Jarel and Kelvin Brown.
Sun 29th May & Mon 30th May – Euro Cultured Festival across a number of venues on New Wakefield St, and the surrounding area.
Sun 29th May – El Diablos All Day Bank Holiday special at the Rampant Lion, w/ Kelvin Andrews, David Walker and the Diablos.
Sun 29th May - That Amazing Thing at the Attic, w/ James Baseley (Red Salamanda, Prague), Mark Haran and Francis Wooff.
Sat 4th June – Keep It Unreal at the Music Box, with Mr. Scruff.
Sun 5th June – Under The Stairs Present Tortured Soul LIVE at the Roadhouse.
Fri June 17th – Eyes Down Present Moodymann LIVE at the Mint Lounge. Live band consists of Kenny Dixon Jr, Piranhahead, Andrés, Paul Randolph, Roberta Sweed and Nikki-O. DJs on the night will be Jon K, Kelvin Brown and Mr. Scruff. Tickets for this event have sold out!
Fri June 17th – No Wax at the Rossetti.
Sat June 18th – All That Jazz at the Music Box.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Mo'soul Publicity: Variety of services offered:
contact for further details.
*Freelance journalist.
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
_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!