From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-09-05 15:48:50
Jon Freer's Reviews 4th September 2005.
Albums & Compilations:
The Hits Collection (Electric Souls)
Okkervil River Black Sheep Boy (Jagjaguwar)
V/A reBOOT: Notes For The Next Generation (Om)
Mossyrock The Zero To One Sessions (Nice+Smooth)
V/A Underground Crown Holders (Grand Central)
The Prophecy Projekt Science Of A Visionary (Prophecy Projekt)
Thanks to the Electric Souls, Will at in House, Charles & Gareth at
Zzonked, Gerald at Nice+Smooth, All at Grand Central and The Prophecy
Projekt for these
The Hits Collection (Electric Souls)
Cat No: ESCD001. Release Date: 5th September 2005.
This Disco focused label has finally detonates its first full-length
offering, which is a buoyant collection of glittering touch ups.
Hand tested by the electrifying double act responsible for creating
the fine revisions, these hip shaking cuts have rocked basements,
secret hideaways and conventional clubs the world over. "Superstar Is
What U R" sees hope giving vocals glide across sexy keys, clean cut
percussion and a shaking bass guitar. "Body 2 Body" calls on smiling
keys, gentle guitar work and a supportive bass to back those adoring
vocals. "Sometimes" is a stylish guitar led number, with breathed
keys, fed up vocals and starry-eyed synths. Disco dynamite!
Okkervil River Black Sheep Boy (Jagjaguwar)
Cat No: JAG 80. Available Now.
Inspired by a novel of the same title, "Black Sheep Boy" is a
heartfelt expose of life from the point of view of one who feels they
don't fit in. Relaxed compositions and more robust guitar-led songs
feature on this album, whose musical power is strengthened by main man
Will Sheff's emotive songwriting. The pent up frustration in the
guitars is palpable on "For Real", as drums let out angst under
tortured vocals. "In A Radio Song" sees an eloquent mandolin team up
with a heart-melting acoustic guitar under raggedy vocals. "So Come
Back, I Am Waiting" patiently sits, as dour percussion and teary-eyed
brass heal the wounds. Outstanding.
V/A reBOOT: Notes For The Next Generation (Om)
Release Date: 12th September 2005.
Put together as a benefits album for LA based but Africa focussed AIDS
charity NextAid, "reBOOT" takes in a range of downbeat and upbeat
material from recognised record producers. Whether one should buy a
CD just because it supports a good cause is a moralistic question, but
it's fair to say that many record buyers will be tempted to part with
cash for this album on the strength of the material featured alone.
Louie Vega's "Steel Congo" places kind-hearted steel drum melodics and
synth complexities over keyed delicacies and a strong percussion
section. Kaskade gives us "Samba Love", where honeyed vocals,
beautiful guitars and strolling percussion meet. Garth & Markie
Mark's "7 Days With Kayan" charts a week long affair, conducted under
the watchful eye of absorbed guitars, a portly bass and relaxed
percussion. Find out more about the reason behind this musically
sound comp at www.nextaid.org
Mossyrock The Zero To One Sessions (Nice+Smooth)
Available Now.
The oddly named Mossyrock make fun cruising guitar and silly
electronix based compositions, whose track titles are only marginally
more bizarre than the music itself. From the shape of their grooves,
one might expect them to hail from the West Coast, but the group
actually formed in Philly and currently reside in Brooklyn.
"According To The Language Fossils" suggests they were frozen in time
at an age when stringy guitars and visionary synths ruled the world.
The charmingly titled "Pissjug" throws electrified keys and synth
gurgles against sticky beats and bass nastiness. "Stress Kid" takes
its energy from almost D&B styled percussion, which rattles along
under wobbly synths and feeling blue keys. Strangely endearing.
V/A Underground Crown Holders (Grand Central)
Cat No: GCCD138. Available Now.
A host of rapped up numbers and a smattering of scratchadelic cuts
appear on this archive busting Hip Hop comp from GC. Featuring mainly
old school Grand Central heads, this CD is for those who were
originally turned on to the label by the way in which it catered for
the B boy. "Queen Of My Dreams" sees Low Key tell how he found true
love, over Tony D's fragile keys and confident drums. QNC boost their
own confidence with their vocal delivery on Rae & Christian's hazy
bassed "Anything U Want". Aim calls on YZ to show the importance of
living for the moment on "Ain't Got Time To Waste", as singing brass,
a riffing guitarred bass and hitting beats meet in the background.
This will serve as a timely reminder for those who've forgotten where
Grand Central came from.
The Prophecy Projekt Science Of A Visionary (Prophecy Projekt)
Available Now.
This vocally orientated album from the Prophecy Projekt shows that a
vocoder can still be used effectively, when put in the right hands.
Occasionally way too whiny, musically stripped back and rather odd in
places, the major plus point for "Science Of A Visionary" is that it
stands out from the pack. "Signs In Space" cries out for love, over
computer game FX crashes, twisted synthetics and sawn-off drums.
"Sanctuary" loses hope of ever finding such as place, as percussion
makes a mess and keys bang away until they get hurt. Cutting guitars,
a grumpy bass and free percussion attempt to keep the faith on "The
Rising". One of a kind!
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
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