From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-11-16 23:11:49
Jon Freer’s Reviews – 16th November 2005.
Singles:
Atjazz feat. Ernesto – Put It On (Osunlade RMXS) (Mantis Recordings)
NoTenshun – Amarante (Phil Asher Mix) (Chillifunk)
Sleepwalker – River Of Love / Eclipse (Especial)
Kraak & Smaak – One Of These Days (Balearic Soul Mix) (Jalpeno)
Matthias ‘Matty’ Heilbronn feat. Inaya Day – I Made It (suSU)
Shaheer Williams feat. Stephanie Cooke – Show Me (Fanatix RMXS)
(Soul Groove)
Bossa Futura – Sol Y Luna (Further Out)
Roger – Kids And Thieves (Mate)
The New Shapes – Waiting For A God (Pop Records)
The Young Knives – The Decision (Transgressive)
Thanks to Martin at Mantis, Lofty & Gavin at Chillifunk, Nik at Mukatsuku, Nicky & Jo at Phuture Trax, Sarah at Favouritizm, Richard at Further Out, Teemu at Roger, Peggy at Fistral and Dan at Scruffy Bird…
Atjazz feat. Ernesto – Put It On (Osunlade RMXS) (Mantis Recordings)
Promo.
The first fruits of Martin ‘Atjazz’ Iverson’s new work is this fine single with vocals from emotional Birmingham based singer Ernesto, which has been revisited elegantly by spiritual House genius Osunlade. The ‘Club Mix’ places clear thinking percussion and worried synths under Ernesto’s anguished vocals. The ‘Yoruba Suite’ is a lengthier touch up, where unsettled keys, pushy synths and deeply upset keys strive to learn the truth.
NoTenshun – Amarante (Phil Asher Mix) (Chillifunk)
Cat No: 12CF078. Available Now.
Phlash has really come up with the goods here, stripping down a highlight from NoTeshun’s recent LP and sprinkling it with his magical Restless Soul dust. Playful guitars and beats that have a certain spring to their step come together perfectly on Phil’s ace renovation of “Amarante”.
Sleepwalker – River Of Love / Eclipse (Especial)
Cat No: ESP – 016. Available Now.
Exhilarating jazz angled vocalist Bémbé Ségué returns to Especial in order to add her uplifting tones to an originally speechless cut from modern jazzers Sleepwalker. Bémbé’s exclaiming vocals coat saintly keys, a heavenward gazing sax and sprinting drums on “River Of Love”. An optimistic sax, keys of joy and pacey cymbadelic percussion block out the sun on “Eclipse”.
Kraak & Smaak – One Of These Days (Balearic Soul Mix) (Jalpeno)
Release Date: Late November 2005.
Despite their two-pronged name, Kraak & Smaak are actually a Dutch breaks loving trio. This release from the group comes with a handful of mixes, and the Balearic Soul mix wins hands down. Persuasive beats, ever so good keys and unapologetic vocals combine on the hot interpretation from Balearic Soul.
Matthias ‘Matty’ Heilbronn feat. Inaya Day – I Made It (suSU)
Cat No: 12suSU40. Release Date: 28th November 2005.
Inaya Day may be best known for voicing glossy House cuts, where vocals are often cleaned to the point of masking talent, but this women has a voice to die for, as this outing with Matthias shows. Inaya’s relieved vocals soar over big drums and complicated synth work on Matty’s ‘II Deep Mix’ and she comes on all diva–like on the ‘Acid Thunder Mix’, which harks back to the tougher NY House sound of clubs like the Sound Factory. The ‘Soulflower Dub’ lets raising keys and a moody bass groove away, whilst the seriously uplifting ‘Sensible House Dub’ makes room for some synthiliated madness and a super confident key display.
Shaheer Williams feat. Stephanie Cooke – Show Me (Fanatix RMXS)
(Soul Groove). Release Date: Late November 2005.
The wondrous Stephanie Cooke has reached the end of her tether and is in no mood to be messed about. Unfortunately, those Fanatix kids do exactly that, dashing the hope created by sweet synths with some rough bass work and rotund beats. Their Dub pushes the synths out over knocking beats, so it’s down to Shaheer’s ‘keyapella’ to create an understanding backdrop for Stephanie’s complaints.
Bossa Futura – Sol Y Luna (Further Out)
Available Now.
Further Out will certainly be one of those labels to watch in 2006 for the neo jazz and Brazilian appreciating set. “Sol Y Luna” watches the sun melt beautiful vocals into the keys, as a magical trumpet dances under the light of the moon. “Inside Your Head” is meditative outing, where contemplative guitars and upward staring strings do most of the thinking.
Roger – Kids And Thieves (Mate)
Cat No: Mate 008. Release Date: 23rd November 2005.
A.N.I.M.A.L. give Roger a devastating kick in the teeth, turning a Pet Shop Boys influenced tale of angst entitled “Kids And Thieves” into something a whole lot nastier. Shouty vocals, snackin’ beats and violent bass guitar work are responsible for the irreparable damage to the features. Gritty guitar work colours the Sigils mix and Sly Wink’s version takes some detached synths along for the ride, but neither reach the heights of A.N.I.M.A.L’s version.
The New Shapes – Waiting For A God (Pop Records)
Cat No: POPS 0002. Available Now.
Workman like yet satisfying live and on record, The New Shapes have made more familiar yet pleasing musical models on this release. “Waiting For A God” sits aggrieved vocals over reliable guitars and simple beats. The excitement of novel experiences is the subject of the similarly direct “New Queen”.
The Young Knives – The Decision (Transgressive)
Release Date: November 2005.
Vociferous in an ever so theatrical type of way, The Young Knives vocals don’t sit comfortably on their musical compositions. “The Decision” places nonsensical vocals over nagging guitars and masked drums. Odd…
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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