From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-10-25 11:41:46
Jon Freer’s Reviews – 24th October 2005.
Singles:
Foremost Poets – Beside Myself (Soul Groove)
The B.A. Baracus Band – Mama Said Knock You Out/Jump Jump
(Take The Money And Run)
The Fusion Experience – Scaramunga (Buff)
Marathon Men – Blessings EP (Chillifunk)
Jesse Rose Pres. More Than One LP: Sampler 1 (Front Room)
Netsayi – The Refugee Song (Militant Prince)
Kirk Degiorgio pres. Esoterik – Alcyone EP (Freerange)
Columbian Drum Cartel – The Shipment (Copyright)
Justin Chodzko – Delta Sun (Urban Torque)
Method Unique – Travesty (Broadcite)
Foreign Beggars feat. Wildchild – Let Go (Casual/Dented)
Omerta – One Chance (Northern Ambition)
Thanks to Nicky & Jo at Phuturetrax, Ben BKS, Nik Weston, Lofty at Chillifunk, Doug at Sainted, Jesse & Matt at Cause & Effect, Angela & Natasha at Shilland, Matt at Freerange, Toni T at Defected, Leigh at Urban Torque, Lucius at The Outpost and Peggy at Fistral for these…
Foremost Poets – Beside Myself (Soul Groove)
Cat No: SGR 010. Release Date: Late October 2005.
The consistent Soul Groove imprint rope in Johnny Dangerous for hot gospel Houser released under his ‘Foremost Poets’ guise. The original sees looking to the heavens keys and well-behaved beats back empowering vocals. DJ Spen & Neil Conway’s vocal rerub shoots those biblically toned words over expressive keys and weighty beats, whereas a fat bassline and eloquent keys do the damage on the instrumental version.
The B.A. Baracus Band – Mama Said Knock You Out/Jump Jump
(Take The Money And Run). Cat No: TMRR 003. Promo.
This is easily one of the most amusing records released this year, with the Baracus band offering a couple of funny bone tickling funked-up versions of Hip Hop oldies. Violence bringing vocals, serious guitars and a frightened bass combine on “Mama Said Knock You Out”. “Jump Jump” is equally humorous, as gritty guitar and stupid whistles combine under attention grabbing vocals. Brilliant stuff.
The Fusion Experience – Scaramunga (Buff)
Cat No: buff 001. Release Date: 7th November 2005.
Grown up souly jazzed grooves are the order of the day on this debut from Scotland’s Fusion Experience. Fast percussion runs through “Scaramunga”, as full of glee jazzy keys, mad organs and supernatural vocal screams provide the excitement. Sidewinder’s ‘Afro Remake’ places jolting beats and mellow chords under a squirming sax and synths that spray goo everywhere.
Marathon Men – Blessings EP (Chillifunk)
Cat No: 12CF 077. Release Date: 31st October 2005.
Chillifunk bring another digital House loving pair to their roster in the shape of an Anglo French duo, known as the Marathon Men. “Tell Me What You Know” lets a bad-tempered bass call the shots from under jumpin’ keys and synth flashes, whilst NoTenshun’s Remix is a cleaner refix, with darker keys and a frowning bass. “Funk Addiction” watches positive keys and percussive rhythmics slide over a slippery bass. The EP finishes with the fine title track, where the vocalist hopes fantasy can become reality, backed by wide-eyed keys and simple beats.
Jesse Rose Pres. More Than One LP: Sampler 1 (Front Room)
Cat No: FRM 013. Available Now.
Here, Rose gets down to musical business with an intriguing selection of production partners. Solid Groove and Jamie Anderson join Jesse for an almost Theo type hulking dancefloor slow-burner, with languid beats, a humming bass and hopeful keys. Domu and Mr. Rose use jabbed beats, a numb bass and contorted strings to gain access on “Knock/Knock”. Punchy beats and stuttery keys do all the work on “No Need”, a sparse track put together with Jamie Anderson. Atlantic Fusion stops by for a “Conversation” without words, where straightforward beats, a drugged bass and blissed keys do all the talking.
Netsayi – The Refugee Song (Militant Prince)
Release Date: 14th November 2005.
London born and Zimbabwean raised musical maverick Netsayi returns with another impressive politically-charged opus in the form of “The Refugee Song”. Chained metallic beats, true keys and honest guitars back vocals that highlight the plight of the needy on the original. The ‘First Man Remix’ glosses up the track courtesy of glittery keys and charming key swipes, as the ‘Set Me Free Remix’ moves “The Refugee Song” into dancehall territory with the help of tough percussion and a loving bassline.
Kirk Degiorgio pres. Esoterik – Alcyone EP (Freerange)
Cat No: FR064. Promo.
Techno don Kirk Degiorgio goes for the spaced out Detroit approach on this outing for Freerange. “Alcyone” floats absent-minded keys over throbbing synths and never giving up beats, whereas “Tau Ceti” is a strangely keyed ponderer, with string mirages and upfront beats. Jake Childs gives “Alcyone” the jumpin House treatment, where head messing keys dance alongside hitting beats and an inverted bass.
Columbian Drum Cartel – The Shipment (Copyright)
Available Now.
Copyright resurrect a cold-hearted Johnny Vicious record from the last decade and give it the love that the original sadly lacked. A stumbling bass, steely toned keys, powering Latin guitars and synth kisses come together over heavy beats on the hot Copyright version.
Justin Chodzko – Delta Sun (Urban Torque)
Cat No: UTR021. Available Now.
“Delta Sun” is a bright Housey outing on Urban Torque from Justin Chodzko, with Trevor Loveys and David Duriez supplying the choice remixes. Trevor’s rejig smashes drums against the scorching keys, and lets a poisonous bassline infect the groove, whilst Duriez goes for a bad-tempered acid revision.
Method Unique – Travesty (Broadcite)
Release Date: Late October 2005.
Still overshadowed by other Broke Beat operatives, the Broadcite crew are slowly refining their art and the gap between them and their musical teachers is growing smaller with every release. The original unplugged version sees neat keys and forceful synths hook up over lively beats, with the ‘Make Poverty History Mix’ letting fiddling guitars and a gooey bassline have their say. Soulmotion’s remix runs the beats alongside happy keys, sweet strings and buoyant guitars, which provide a contrast to the upset vocals. Bonus track, “Are You Ready”, takes its strength from eerie synths, an overzealous squelching bass and beats that need calming down.
Foreign Beggars feat. Wildchild – Let Go (Casual/Dented)
Cat No: LOUPE 020. Release Date: 28th November 2005.
The Beggars crew give their thoughts on how UK Hip Hop scene can further itself on this release picked up by Ross Allen’s Casual label. Wildchild and Graziella guest on the track where lopsided percussion and ever so nice keys sit under quickly rapped vocals. “Million Skill March” is another conscious number, featuring regal brass, weaving synths and neat beats. Big drums and lifting keys play important roles on “Cryin’ Shame”.
Omerta – One Chance (Northern Ambition)
Cat No: NAM 008. Available Now.
Omerta make easily digestible Indie, and their music been lapped up by the industry and record buying public alike. “One Chance” pleads for just that, as strings whose necks have been wrung, staring guitars and fuzzy synths provide backing. Fed-up vocals, robotic keys and full strength guitars collide on the scowling “Synchronise Your Smiles”.
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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