From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-11-06 21:31:44
Jon Freer's Reviews 6th November 2005.
Singles:
Bangana Refresh / Bang Bang Bang (Heya Hifi)
V/A SunTzu Sound ep01 (SunTzu Sound)
Justin Martin & Sammy D feat. Fernando Rivera The Legend Of Papachango (Buzzin' Fly)
Vin Landers Vs Fudge Fingas Many Hands EP (Surface Pressure)
The Unheard Soundproof Vol 1 (Switchflicker)
Coldcut Everything Is Under Control (Ninja Tune)
Colette What Will She Do For Love? (Om)
Marco De Souza PBC EP (Freerange)
Ali B Vs The Jungle Brothers Beats On A String (Air)
Sporting Hero Calendar (Switch Flicker)
Four Day Hombre 1000 Bulbs (Alamo Music)
Thanks to Magnus at Heya Hifi, Jason at SunTzu, Cara at Buzzin' Fly, Ben at BKS, Jayne at Switchflicker, Doug at Sainted, Gareth & Charles at Zzonked, Matt at Freerange, Matt at Alchemy and Peggy at Fistral for these
Bangana Refresh / Bang Bang Bang (Heya Hifi)
Cat No: HEYA 1204. Promo.
SUMO don their Bangana guise for a couple of great cuts that were inspired by the acid sound of the 80s, but actually sound like they were made last week. Unlike the glut of revivalist House records that are far too respectful of those original sparse Chicagoan releases, these two have a distinct SUMO character, yet have been dipped in a hallucinatory House sauce. "Refresh" is the real winner, courtesy of its unforgiving beats, enlightening sung arpeggio work and energetic acid flashing keys. "Bang Bang Bang" lays nasty synths, future retro chords and impatient keys over steady percussion.
V/A SunTzu Sound ep01 (SunTzu Sound)
Cat No: STS 001. Available Now.
The Seattle based Sun Tzu imprint starts with a couple of rousing broke beat numbers from 1LUV and AC Lewis. The glorious yet annoyingly cluttered "Black Daylight" from 1LUV aka Dr. J and Capitol A, sees chopped beats and easy going keys meet up under vocals steeped in adoration. "Tickles" from AC Lewis feat. Ndidi Cascade is a filthy bassed cut, with jumpy beats, flamenco style claps and eager vocals.
Justin Martin & Sammy D feat. Fernando Rivera The Legend Of Papachango (Buzzin' Fly). Cat No: 015 Buzz. Release Date: 7th November 2005.
The afrocentrically inspired "Legend Of Papachango" sees Martin and D move away from their ultra deep sound for a pounding DJ Gregory style workout. Jerking beats, insistent stabs and flying synths combine on the original, where the story is told through spoken vocals. The 'Beats n Bass' version is a flurry of drums backed by a pressurizing bass, whilst the Dub lets queasy keys, proud brass and insistent synths have their say.
Vin Landers Vs Fudge Fingas Many Hands EP (Surface Pressure)
Cat No: SP1202. Promo.
Surprisingly, it is the short interludes on this jazzy flexing EP of organic soul hop from Vin Landers aka Gavin Sutherland that impress the most. "VL Theme" is lovely short number with pattering percussion and amazingly fine guitar work, whilst absent-minded watery keys fall on a bed of stretched strings on "Make Light Work". The final tiny cut is "Eva's Lullaby", which is powered by a tremendous organ and beautiful keys. Turning to the full length tracks, "Don't Fret It" is a dysfunctional guitar-angled cut, "Sum Background" purrs along synthetically, "Shipping Forecast" is a lovely keyed number and muddy guitars feature on "Memory".
The Unheard Soundproof Vol 1 (Switchflicker)
Cat No: swalf 07. Available Now.
The mysterious Unheard debut on Switchflicker with a wonderful bboy satiating cut and paste EP. "Melomiander" is the standout track, where fat hop drums underpin a forgetful sax and urgent strings combo. The silly "Jazz Belly Ride" takes its strength from funny brass and nifty drums, whilst "El-Skit" is a tirade of spoken and FX based samples. "Complete Sweet" completes the picture, as happy keys, compressed flute and cosmic synths run alongside dependable drums.
Coldcut Everything Is Under Control (Ninja Tune)
Cat No: ZEN 173. Release Date: 14th November 2005.
Coldcut's rather mad "Everything Is Under Control" gets the treatment from a stellar cast. An evil bass, sickening synths and deranged guitar work colours the Solid Groove Dub. Headachy synths blight the Underdog's heavily beaten and roughly scratchified overhaul. DJ Kentaro swallows the beats and then spits them out in a different form, with crazy scratchwork and biting guitars providing assistance.
Colette What Will She Do For Love? (Om)
Release Date: 12th December 2005.
East Coast Boogeymen deliver the goods here, refixing "What Will She Do For Love" for bumpier floors. Diced and fxed nicely vocals, high powered keys beats and excitable keys do the damage on the Boogeymen's fine reworking.
Marco De Souza PBC EP (Freerange)
Cat No: FR 063. Release Date: 7th November 2005.
Another week, another Freerange outing, and this one is another quality release, this time from the Brazilian based Marco De Souza. "PBC" in 'Dub Mix' form thrusts grooving keys, moving synths and vox snatches over sensible beats. The superior 'Deep Mix' smoothes silky keys over lively beats, as Patrick Turner delivers a gooey synth angled refit.
Ali B Vs The Jungle Brothers Beats On A String (Air)
Cat No: airfix 005. Release Date: 12th December 2005.
The ties between the nu-skool breaks fraternity and Hip Hop are pretty strong musically, and collaborations of this nature help to strengthen the links. The JBs rap rides along nicely over elongated guitars and simple beats on the vocal version. Backwards guitars, brass hits and mad scratchaphonics brighten up the Dub.
Sporting Hero Calendar (Switch Flicker)
Cat No: SAWFL 006. Available Now.
The wonderfully eccentric and highly unproductive Switch Flicker imprint six years in existence, with only their sixth 7", a cute guitar based effort from Sporting Hero. "Calendar" counts off the months, backed by winding guitars and ageing cymbalic percussion. "Everything Begins, Everything Ends" is a resigned number, with unhappy organ business, fast moving acoustic guitars and vocals stung by realisation. "Running And Reeling" is a pleasant stretching guitar number, whilst the highlight, "Last Year's Calendar" is an introspective guitar number with industrious piano playing.
Four Day Hombre 1000 Bulbs (Alamo Music)
Available Now.
Angst ridden vocals meet heavy guitar work on Four Day Hombre's output. "1000 Bulbs" watches strumming guitars and a catchy bass riff underpin unhappy vocals. "Drink" is an ode to escapism, where wobbly keys, huge guitars and soft vocals meet.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Freelance journalist.
Publications include -
Keep On Magazine
Blues & Soul Magazine
City Life Magazine
Blowback Magazine
Rant Magazine
cratertech.com
pitchadjust.com
manchesterunderground.com
beyondjazz.net
mundovibes.net
deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
radiozerogravity.net
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