From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-09-22 18:16:08
Jon Freer’s Reviews – 22nd September 2005.
Albums & comps:
Kelley Polar – Love Songs Of The Hanging Garden (Environ)
Alice Russell – My Favourite Letters (Tru Thoughts)
Leela James – A Change Is Gonna Come (Warner Bros)
V/A – I Like It 2 (Compost)
Norken – Our Memories Of Winter (Combination)
Domu – Return Of The Rouge (Archive)
Victor Davies – Hoxton Popstars (Audio Pharm)
V/A – The Original Disco Selection (Original Selection)
Part 2 – Live From The Breadline (Big Dada)
Ohmega Watts – The Find (Ubiquity)
Thanks to MG at Environ, Sue at Stunt, All at Dec Promotions, Susan Blond Inc, Warner Bros, All at Compost, Gareth & Charles at Zzonked, Ben BKS, Winnie Gomez, Mark at Distinct Music, Laura at Ninja Tune and Aaron at Ubiquity for these…
Kelley Polar – Love Songs Of The Hanging Garden (Environ)
Cat No: ENVCD005. Release Date: 15th November 2005.
Kelley Polar’s string arranging for Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani brought an emotional power and orchestral beauty to the pair’s mind-blowing Metro Area project. Morgan Geist has repaid the favour, producing this stunning album, where Polar’s bracing strings and vulnerable vocals adorn tracks taking their cues from innocent electro pop ideals, cosmic disco and discreet House. “Cosmological Constancy” sees prim strings, over-awed vocals and futuristic synths journey into the unknown. Thrashing percussion, high-spirited strings and an enthusiastic bass and meet for a secret rendezvous on “Here In The Night”. “Black Hole” is a syrupy vocalized number, with unremitting violins and twinkling keys. “Love Songs Of The Hanging Garden” is a charming longplayer, which shows that if organized correctly, classical strings, accessible vocals and touching electronic arrangements can fit together with magnificent results.
Alice Russell – My Favourite Letters (Tru Thoughts)
Cat No: TRUCD/LP 082. Release Date: 26th September 2005.
Despite what the title may suggest, this second longplayer and first ‘proper’ album (after last year’s charming compilation type effort) is not a Sesame St type alphabet focused tribute. Instead it is an album of zany mischievous soul, taking in both restful and animated numbers. “Humankind” is a questioning number, where snappy drums, a thoughtful double-bass and banjoey strings provide the answers. The playful “Mean To Me” roughens up guitars and downcast trumpets over a cheeky digital bass. Bewitching vocals, searing strings and a frighteningly sharp woodwind and brass section meet up on the mad yet loveable “Mirror Mirror On The Wolf – Tell The Story Right”. TM Juke undertook production duties on this LP, and on the whole he’s done a pretty good job. Whilst every track isn’t quite up to the standard of the disgruntled “Playground Games” from Juke’s debut LP, there are some truly gorgeous numbers here, but as ever, Russell’s affecting voice outshines any musical
accompaniment
Leela James – A Change Is Gonna Come (Warner Bros)
Available Now.
Obviously heavily indebted to the soul sisters of the past, yet willing to inject a new pzazz into modern R’n’B, Leela James is a singer to take note of. Distressingly, she suffers from the curse of unimaginative arrangements, which blight a number of tracks and thus lessen the impact of those that present her velvet tones in a stylish manner. “Music” is the immediate standout, as James lambasts superficial image loving signers over buttery keys and smart percussion. Rubbing shoulders with Wyclef Jean, Raphael Saadiq and other underachieving production big cheeses, crossover sensation Kanye West proves his worth once more, knocking up a couple of fine ditties for Leela. First up is “It’s Alright”, which is driven by divine strings and slack beats. His second offering is “Didn’t I”, an unapologetic banger with smacked beats, warning synths and firmly held strings. A sassy offering, which is worth checking for those cuts that display her vocals in the correct manner. !
V/A – I Like It 2 (Compost)
Cat No: CPT 180-1/2. Available Now.
“I Like It”? Well, actually more like “I Love It”, as this wonderful series from Compost gets four music devotees and studios wizards to dig up a few tracks they love to bits. Output boss Trevor Jackson’s selection includes bass bamboozling reggae fix of “Baby I Love You So” from Colourbox, and a pointily beaten heart-wrenching houser from Julian Jonah called “Jealously And Lies”. Headset’s eerily keyed “Crasping Claw” is perhaps the highlight of Pole’s expectedly odd selection. Vienna based Richard Dorfmeister’s hot threesome features Allez Allez’s mystical “African Queen” and Can’s freewheeling bassed “Shikako Maru Ten”. Tricksi expose their favourites last, with the P-Funk Allstars ever so infectious bass-driven “Hydraulic Pump” proving to be the finest of their choices. I like it, and I think you will too!
Norken – Our Memories Of Winter (Combination)
Release Date: 10th October 2005.
This album from Norken is ammunition in the fight against those who don’t believe real emotion can be produced by machine made wordless music. Flitting between icily exteriored vigorous tech outings and calming ambience, the cold outer shell of Norken’s work is melted from the inside by a powerful melodic beauty. “Memories” watches recollections of the past float away, on weightless keys and tolling synths. “Ty Canol” watches endlessly optimistic strings search for compassionate synths and pretty keys. “Flirt” sees synths read too much into an innocent smile and then spiral out of control. Beguiling.
Domu – Return Of The Rouge (Archive)
Cat No: CDDPU1088. Release Date: Autumn 2005.
Focussing on the cosmic broken sound one has come to associate with Dominic ‘Domu’ Stanton, “Return Of The Rouge” is heavy on pointy breaks and sweetly keyed melodics. This collection features a number of rather fine full vocal tracks alongside the expected spacey instrumentals. “So Precious” tells of the anguish of having feelings for someone who’s messing you about, backed by tender keys, and a holding bass. An infectious afroid guitar provides the energy on the pleading “Let Me Be”. “Signs” looks for the indicators on a playing field dominated by tyre screeching synths and climbing keys. There’s no doubting Dom’s skill as a producer, but one wishes he could have created a few more varied tracks on this album, instead of sticking with the same mould.
Victor Davies – Hoxton Popstars (Audio Pharm)
Available Now.
Relaxing guitar driven soul is the flavour of this album, which is aurally pleasurable, but doesn’t quite live up to the standard set by his exquisite debut. Released on Jazzanova’s Compost sub-label a few years back, his eponymous first effort was spellbinding from start to finish, and whilst there are classic Victor Davies moments here, a few weaklings let down the collection. “Maybe Tomorrow” hopes for a brighter day, as a calm acoustic guitar encases pretty violins and tall brass. “Morning Sun” warms the heart under the guidance of magical keys and a lovely guitar. “Fire” passionately recalls the beginning of a relationship, as brass sing their heart out over laboured strings and a buttery bass. Despite his talent, I think it’ll be a little while before Victor becomes a ‘Hoxton Popstar’.
V/A – The Original Disco Selection (Original Selection)
Cat No: OSEL 005. Available Now.
Uplifting dancefloor gems, souly sweeties and rather poppy efforts colour the disco volume of this archives plundering series. Ian ‘Mastercut’ Dewhurst’s choices won’t appeal to every disco loving fan, especially to those into the more obscure side of things, but there are some rather wonderful tracks featured on this compilation nonetheless. McFadden & Whitehead’s “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” will give that lift every time it’s spun, courtesy of those jubilant strings and happy bass guitar. “Running Away” from Roy Ayers places disgruntled vocals over upbeat drums and guitars that provide the momentum. Barry White’s “Your Sweetness Is My Weakness” might not be a disco record in many people’s eyes, but those rose tinted keys, quick-paced guitars and gravely toned vocals from the big guy of soul do work rather nicely together. Easy to digest top-notch party music!
Part 2 – Live From The Breadline (Big Dada)
Cat No: BDCD080. Available Now.
Often the second instalment is weaker than the original, but Part 2 is here to show that names can be deceiving. Musically taking in Garage, Hip Hop, Dancehall and rough R’n’B, “Live From The Breadline” calls on various vocal artistes, who deliver their lines over Part 2’s production work with varying degrees of success. “Will It Ever” sees Sandra Melody’s bittersweet vocals coat unsteady synths and a cheeky digital bass. Fallacy joins for “One Of Them Days” and hopes for a perfect 24 hours, backed by rushing keys, hopping beats and a sour bass. Juice Aleem’s vocals coast along on “Take UR Time”, with help from contorted synths, two-stepping beats and a bassline that bounces around the room. The only question that remains to be answered is if this is Part 2, what happened to Part 1?
Ohmega Watts – The Find (Ubiquity)
Cat No: URCDLP174. Available Now.
Rhyme constructor and beat arranger Ohmega Watts has made his mark with this album of incendiary Hip Hop. His use of fresh sounding instruments, inventive verse creation and rejection of sample heavy rhythms helps his buoyant cuts to stand out on their own. “Mind Power” finds Watts extolling the virtues of spending time searching for true love, with rusted chords and twinkling keys providing the accompaniment. “The Find” relates the thrill of discovering timeless music, over sweet keys and clean drums. “Stay Tuned” featuring Sojourn gives praise to his loftiness, as pressurizing organ chords, lovely keys and rough drums sit behind the vocal adoration. A wonderful discovery!
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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