Jon Freer’s Reviews – 11th April 2006.
Albums & Comps:
Tortured Soul – Introducing Tortured Soul (R2 Records)
2020 Soundsystem – No Order (2020 Vision)
David Borsu – Insight (Counterpoint)
Harvey Lindo – Kid Gloves: A Modaji Longplayer (Compost/Planet Groove)
Thievery Corporation – Versions (ESL Music)
Dalminjo – One Day You’ll Dance For Me Tokyo (Deeplay Music)
Alex Smoke – Paradolia (Soma)
V/A – Masterclass #01: Mousse T (MN2S)
V/A – Om Lounge Vol 10 (Om)
Thanks to the labels and PR people that sent me these records to review…
Tortured Soul – Introducing Tortured Soul (R2 Records)
Cat No: R2CD/LP008. Available Now.
This magnificent three piece, headed by eloquent vocalist and drummer, John Christian Ulrich, bring us an ace album of soul kissed House-floor tunes, with a few restrained broken soul numbers thrown in for good measure. Tortured Soul have done a wonderful favour by bringing songwriting and real musicianship to a listenership more often exposed to computerised grooves and lyrics of the lowest denomination. Highlights include a lovelorn synther entitled “How’s Your Life” and the helpless “I Might Do Something Wrong”, here re-rubbed in a hypnotically keyed fashion by Osunlade. It’s a crime that this album was barely acknowledged on it’s original US release a couple of years ago, and we should thank R2 for giving it a UK outing, albeit in a slightly different form. In a world where many acts prefer to stick with conformity and follow musical fashions, acts like TS that choose to be themselves and dance to their own beat should be supported.
2020 Soundsystem – No Order (2020 Vision)
Cat No: VISI30CD. Release Date: 24th April 2006.
The 2020 Soundsystem is comprised of 2020 label head Ralph Lawson, reliable drummer Danny ‘Dubble D’ and a pair of handy Argentinean musicians, Fernando Pulichino and Julian Sanza, known for their work as Silver City and under a multitude of other pseudonyms. Together, the group make top quality electronified cuts, which combine House type dancefloor sensibilities with committed indie and punked up guitar work and ear catching synth action. Sometimes when acts go for an indie-dance fusion, the listening public get a dull indefinable dirge, but thankfully that’s not the case with the 2020 Soundsystem. “Won’t Bother Me” is a collaboration with The Glass, and sees a jagged bass and steadfast drums back shiny guitars and downcast vocals. Trippy synths, a gurgling bass and confident guitars meet on the ‘Ewan Pearson Vs 2020 version’ of “Shiver”. The Soundsystem’s music is pretty accessible, but despite having the same musical dynamism as various painfully fashionable
electronic-indie groups, it’s unlikely that this Leeds based act will attract the acclaim their music deserves outside of electronic circles.
David Borsu – Insight (Counterpoint)
Cat No: CRCD030. Release Date: 8th May 2006.
Mr. Borsu, a talented Belgian neo jazz purveyor, finally brings us his debut album, two years after he originally entered the Counterpoint fold with the jaw dropping “Monster EP”. On this LP, Borsu shows how it’s possible to create new tracks that harness the emotional power of jazz and funk from the past in a stirring fashion, with tracks from the aforementioned EP still shining brightly. “Nocturne” is the location for a battle between twisted synths and falling keys. “Way Of Life” sums up the beguiling power of music, as wide-eyed string-synths breeze over loving keys and en-aweing bass action. “Insight” is an assured longplayer from an exciting jazzy talent.
Harvey Lindo – Kid Gloves: A Modaji Longplayer (Compost/Planet Groove)
Cat No: CPT 210-2. US Release Date: Late April 2006.
Dominic Jacobsen adopts a new persona for this Hop slanted longplayer, which originally surfaced in the Far East last year. As per usual, it has taken a while for this album to make it to Western shores. Mr. Modaji has done a pretty good job, creating some rather endearing vocal and instrumental tracks. Rugged beats and ever-happy keys guide Phillipa Alexander’s nature conscious vocals on “Lifeforce”. Fluidous keys and heavy-footed beats are the focus of attention on the epic “Kalima”. Compost must be thanked for deciding to give the short but perfectly formed “Kid Gloves” another outing.
Thievery Corporation – Versions (ESL Music)
Cat No: ESL095. Release Date: 15th May 2006.
Perhaps somewhat predictably, “Versions” is a compilation of the Corp’s worldly-wise remixes. As with their own production work, The TC’s remixes feature beautifully crafted spacey ethereal soundscapes. The Corp’s work tends to be ever so polished and their remixing style only really suits certain artists, but when given suitable musical apparatus on which to experiment, the results are spellbinding. Stretched eastern chords, unhappy sounding keys and an encircling bass backs frustrated vocals on the Corp’s refix of Nouvelle Vague’s “This Is Not A Love Song”. Heavenward gazing strings and fragile guitars provide the answer on The Thievery’s sublime refix of Astrud Gilberto’s “Who Needs Forever?”. There are few surprises with this Washington DC based duo, but if you’re after a charming and easy to digest take on multicultural musical flavours, then look no further.
Dalminjo – One Day You’ll Dance For Me Tokyo (Deeplay Music)
Cat No: DPLAY-CD6. Release Date: April 2006.
“One Day You’ll Dance For Me Tokyo” is an album of electrocuted soulful compositions from the talented Dalminjo. He has the ability to make heartfelt tracks at varying tempos, but they unfortunately don’t all have the same musical dynamism and he excels when working on instrumental compositions. “Kosmisk Brekt Lapskaus” is home to charming keys and empowering bass work. Portly hop house beats and a mellow bass back Alexandra Hamnede’s encouraging vocals on “Come Here”. Charming digitised soul.
Alex Smoke – Paradolia (Soma)
Cat No: SOMACD/LP47. Available Now.
“Paradolia” is another album of minimal trickery and thoughtful techy pressure from Alex Smoke. Thankfully, Smoke has not lost his singular production style between albums, even if this does mean a few tracks are a little cold hearted. A jumping bass dances with skippy beats behind sharp synths on “Meany”. Synths struggling to think straight dominate on “We Like It Insipid”. On this LP, Alex Smoke continues his one man Techy crusade against unruly machines.
V/A – Masterclass #01: Mousse T (MN2S)
Cat No: MASTCD01. Release Date: Late April 2006.
German House heavyweight Mousse T kicks off MN2S’s masterclass series with a two disc set of House stormers. Disc 1 features Electro and Techy numbers, ranging from angular hitters to poppy vocal escapades, whilst Disc 2 focuses on glossy vocal House and is heavy on the Disco and funkified trimmings. It is truly a mixed bag, with excellent tracks accompanied by rather disappointing musical moments. Highlights on the first disc include Induceve’s toughened overhaul of Recloose’s saxy “Dust” and Âme’s enthralling “Rej”. Mousse T’s own pounding revisions of Anne Nesby’s pleading “Can I Get A Witness” and Heller & Farley’s key driven “Ultra Flava” are high points on the second disc. This is a very accessible House compilation, which features its fair share of pearls alongside less alluring material.
V/A – Om Lounge Vol 10 (Om)
Cat No: Om-202. Release Date: 24th April 2006.
OM’s celebrated horizontal listening series finally makes it to double figures. There’s a range of lovely restrained stuff on this CD, produced by well-known artists and newcomers. There are a few sleep inducing numbers, but most hit home convincingly. Stolen Identity’s “Argentina” is a tingly stringed number, with guitar gold dust and sloath-like percussion. Tender guitar licks soak heavenly keys on Hideo Kobayashi’s “Almost There”. A luscious relaxation aid.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
***Freelaunce Journalist***
Website = www.mosoul.co.uk.
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Received on 2006-04-12 16:44:11