Jon Freer’s Reviews – 6th April 2006.
Albums & Compilations:
V/A – Moonstarr Remixes (PTR)
Latrice – Illuminate (Ultra)
V/A – Sci.Fi.Hi.Fi Vol 2: Luciano (Soma)
V/A – Impulse! Revolutionary Jazz Reworked (Impulsive)
V/A – Impulse! Revolutionary Jazz Unmixed (Impulsive)
Kad – Société (Beleza)
Ojos De Brujo – Techari (Disquela)
Up, Bustle & Out – City Breakers: 18 Frames Per Second (Collision)
Loka – Fire Shepherds (Ninja Tune)
Roots Manuva – Alternatively Deep (Big Dada)
V/A – Beginners Guide To Salsa 2 (Nascente)
Thanks for all the labels, artists and PR people that sent me these…
Time for another review format change…back to ‘normal’ album reviews :0)
V/A – Moonstarr Remixes (PTR)
Cat No: PTRCD007. Available Now.
Broken tech jazz master Moonstarr exposes his midas remixing touch on this disc, which celebrates his work as a reformer of other people’s musical compositions. The ‘starr certainly has his own distinctive production style, which can be observed at each stage of this musical voyage. Occasionally he strays to weird waters, but thankfully doesn’t venture too far out on most of his remixes. Highlights come in the shape of his slammed percussion and relieved key retouch of Rednose Distrikt’s “NY Boom” and his epic synth pointing version of Povo’s “Uam Uam”. This is a really rather impressive collection of rejigs from a very talented beat manipulator.
Latrice – Illuminate (Ultra)
Release Date: May 2006.
Latrice Barnett’s silky vocals coat Jay-J and Kaskade’s House grooves in an aurally gratifying manner. Her hypnotic vocals are rather wonderful, but you can’t help wondering what it’d be like if she got to play over other musical styles, too. “Hold The Light” is gorgeous broken house number, with inquisitive vocals, feather light guitars and speeding beats. “Celebrate” lays Ms. Barnett’s rejoicing vocals over sweet keys and touching guitars. This album of genuinely soul-infused House rises above the rest, due to the inclusion of numerous tracks with meaningful vocal arrangements.
V/A – Sci.Fi.Hi.Fi Vol 2: Luciano (Soma)
Cat No: CD046. Release Date: 17th April 2006.
Trippy teched up melodic fare reigns supreme on this comp from Luciano, a Techno wiz of Chilean and Swiss descent. It’s difficult not to marvel at the precision with which he switches between musical moods, whilst slipping tunes in and out. Unfortunately a few amazing tracks only get a very brief look in, but this is a minor quibble when Luciano manages to fit twenty one tracks into his seventy nine minute mix. Touching strings and cold beats meet on Thomas Melchior & Luciano’s moving “Father”. A beautiful melody is underpinned by considerate beats on the ‘Percussion Dub’ of Kuniyuki’s “Earth Beats”. “Sci.Fi.Hi.Fi Vol 2” shows how technoid minimalism can enthral and with Luciano’s selection complemented by his inch perfect mixing.
V/A – Impulse! Revolutionary Jazz Reworked (Impulsive)
V/A – Impulse! Revolutionary Jazz Unmixed (Impulsive)
Release Date: 10th April 2006.
Mighty original jazz tunes get reworked by today’s future jazz and downbeat dons on the ‘Reworked’ comp, whilst the ‘Unmixed’ set features some cool dusty jazz gems. Certain tracks have been revisited impressively with the remixers managing to add their own influence, without snuffing out the original flames. A high remix point is RZA’s encircling bassed and gutsily saxed touch up of Charles Mingus’ “II B.S”. One of the most beautiful original pieces is Pharoah Sanders’ tenderly brass blown “Astral Travelling”. This is a very intriguing collection of remixes and it’s a real pleasure to have the originals on hand for comparison!
Kad – Société (Beleza)
Available Now.
“Société” is an endearing album of off-kilter easy listening compositions from a French-Algerian guy, who now resides in London. Kad’s music is beautiful, but some of his tracks sound a little lean and undernourished. Listen out for the skilfully key touched “Safaya” and the down hopped “Vue sur la Lune”. This longplayer is a little odd, but nevertheless enjoyable, and our world needs a few more eccentrics like Kad.
Ojos De Brujo – Techari (Disquela)
Cat No: DQRCD05. Available Now.
Ojos De Brujo bring us more flamenco grounded sonic fusion, complete with scratches, shouts, eastern percussion and a multitude of other musical ammunition. There’s a wonderful fluidity to Ojos’ music, and it’s always heartening to hear a group that stick unwaveringly to their principles and ideals. “Runalí” is a clappily percussed number, with kind hearted guitars and expressive vocals. “Bailaores” is a more upbeat number, where brass shrieks and thriving percussion assist glowing guitars. With the added bonus of a CD Rom featuring videos and visual displays, “Techari” is a feat for ears and eyes.
Up, Bustle & Out – City Breakers: 18 Frames Per Second (Collision)
Release Date: 2nd May 2006.
Former Ninjas Up, Bustle & Out visit hoppin’ Reggae places and downbeat gazing soulful landscapes on this album for Collusion. UBO’s inimitable take on Jamaican flavours is enticing, but a few of their tunes leave you expecting a little more. Fed up vocals are enveloped by a swirling bass on “Everyday”, whilst “Rainbow Town” gets its strength from wind up keys, guitar pressure and bass heaviness. “City Breakers…” is pretty easy on the ears and thus is a handy relaxation aid!
Loka – Fire Shepherds (Ninja Tune)
Cat No: ZENCD/ZEN89. Available Now.
Loka make cinematically appealing and rather grown up sounding compositions. They make good use of organic sounding instruments and a ‘hop’ production structure, but album unfortunately gets a little too gloomy in places. “Safe Self Tester” moves wide eyed strings over heavy beats in an arty fashion, whereas the glum “Beginningless” is a teary string stained cut. Hardly pre party music, “Fire Shepherds” is for contemplative moments spent with the stereo.
Roots Manuva – Alternatively Deep (Big Dada)
Cat No: BD CD089. Available Now.
This LP is another instalment of dark UK Hop business, which features cuts that didn’t quite make it onto “Awfully Deep”. There’s no faulting the punishing bass, jagged beats and tough raps, but isn’t it a bit of a cheat releasing this as an album and not just sticking it on the original album as a bonus disc? Whatever the politics of this release, “Nobody’s Dancing” is an ace brass blessed unreleased cut, with defiant percussion and jolly keys. A heavy subbed up bass, reggae chords and runaway keys make the alternative mix of “Clock It” worth a listen. There’s definitely some good stuff on this ‘extensions’ type LP, but it probably won’t reach many record collectors who didn’t check “Awfully Deep”.
V/A – Beginners Guide To Salsa 2 (Nascente)
Cat No: NSBOX 022. Release Date: 17th April 2006.
Leeds’ very own Latin master Lubi Jovanovic delves into his encyclopaedic music library to put Salsa fans through their paces once more. There are some ace positively angled salsarey tunes here, but isn’t ‘Beginners Guide’ a little patronising? As far as the ‘slow’ tunes go, a personal favourite is Jimmy Bosch’s “Cocosito”, where a breezy flute is joined by calm percussion and swingin’ brass. A hot ‘medium’ tune is Orlando Watussi’s “Son Caleno”, as pursed lipped brass pushes vocals and beats in the right direction. Urgent keys and chirpy vocals feature on Orquestra Tabaco Y Ron’s “Que Se Sepa”, a ‘fast’ highlight. This is a rather cool salsified collection. After much toe tapping, I must ask where do I go to get lessons?
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
***Freelaunce Journalist***
Website = www.mosoul.co.uk.
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Received on 2006-04-06 23:45:51