Jon Freer’s Reviews – 17th April 2006.
Singles:
X.Panded Dimension.S – Space Jungle (Sacred Rhythm Music)
Misia – Shinin’ (Joaquin ‘Joe’ Claussell Remixes) (Rhythmedia)
280 West feat. Diamond Temple – I Never Knew (Phuture Sole)
Phil Hooton – Revelations / Afro Phunk (Phuture Rhythms)
Liquid Dope feat. Chronkite – I Want You (Dope Wax)
Jim Noir – My Patch (Hot Chip Remix) (My Dad/Atlantic)
Jimpster – Armour LP Sampler (Freerange)
Hanna Haïs – Jazz Samba (Atal Music/Bubble Soul)
Kirk Degiorgio pres. Esoterik – Starwave EP (Freerange)
V/A – Gold Diggers: As Sampled By Kanye West SAMPLER (Harlmess)
Burning Spear – Never (Remixes) (Burning Music Production)
Speaker Junk – Scratch Up The Music (Speaker Junk)
Blaze feat. Barbara Tucker – Most Precious Love (Freemasons RMX) (Defected)
Deepgroove – Attack! Attack! (Slave)
Jeremy Warmsley – Other People’s Secrets (Transgressive)
Dead Disco – The Treatment (High Voltage Sounds)
Kill The Young – Addiction (Discograph)
Waxplanet – Streets On Fire (Grand Transmission)
Autokat – Dish Out (akoustik Anarkhy)
Thomas Truax – Have We Been Left Behind? (akoustik Anarkhy)
Thanks to all the artists, labels and PR people that have sent me these records to review…
X.Panded Dimension.S – Space Jungle (Sacred Rhythm Music)
Format 12”. Cat No: SRM 253. Release Date: April 2006.
Joaquin ‘Joe’ Claussell welcomes another spiritually aware House producer, Anthony Nicholson, to join him on his voyage to the stars. Here, he gets Nicholson to pen a wondrous stargazing release for Joe’s personal Sacred Rhythm imprint entitled “Space Jungle”. Empowered by nature lyrics are backed by dedicated percussion, guiding strings and free moving jazz keys on the vocal version. Fear allaying strings, joyous keys and electric guitars that have been given a free reign shine on the equally organic instrumental.
Misia – Shinin’ (Joaquin ‘Joe’ Claussell Remixes) (Rhythmedia)
Format: 12”. Cat No: RMVS 002. Promo.
Dreadlocked Japanese singer Misia’s “Shinin’” gets the empowering spiritual House treatment from NY master Joaquin ‘Joe’ Claussell. Joe’s ‘Club Love NY Vocal’ instils Misia’s vocals with a stronger sense of purpose, courtesy of enchanting violin and cello work, fascinating guitar play and resolute beats. The ‘Sacred Rhythm Version’ is a similarly touching rendition, with beaming guitars, gushing strings and courageous bass work. Demonstrative synths and compassionate guitars back Misia’s luminous vocals on the slightly more reserved original version.
280 West feat. Diamond Temple – I Never Knew (Phuture Sole)
Format: 12”. Cat No: PSR 009. Release Date: April 2006.
Self styled purveyors of ‘uptempo soul music’, New Jersey’s 280 West follow up the heart stopping “Fly” with another earnest vocal stomper in the shape of “I Never Knew”. A breezy guitar bass, classy brass and swingin’ keys provide an ideal backdrop for Diamond Temple’s comprehending vocal display. The strength of the musical arrangement can be heard from a quick listen to the beatless ‘Reprise’, whilst the ‘Dub’ lets sharp brass and a funked out bass call the shots.
Phil Hooton – Revelations / Afro Phunk (Phuture Rhythms)
Format: 12”. Cat No: PR 001. Release Date: April 2006.
Phil Hooton gets Phuture Sole’s rhythmic sub-label going with an awesome jazzied House release. Spirited percussion, jiving brass and strong willed chords meet on the awe-inspiring “Revelations”. “Afro Phunk” is a brassed up dancer, but it’s the lead cut that demands repeat plays.
Liquid Dope feat. Chronkite – I Want You (Dope Wax)
Format: 12”. Cat No: DW 075. Promo.
Kenny Dope hooks up with soulster Chronkite on a charming cover of Marvin Gaye’s lustful “I Want You”. Kenny’s ‘Main Mix’ floats those desiring vocals over innocent keys, fiddling guitars and flashing synths. The ‘K-Dope Dub’ offers roughened bass work and persistent keys, whilst the ‘Dub Reprise’ is home to diligent keys and chunky yet supple drums.
Jim Noir – My Patch (Hot Chip Remix) (My Dad/Atlantic)
Format: 7” X2 & CD. Cat No: my013. Release Date: 15th May 2006.
It seems that besuited guitar caresser Jim Noir has been kidnapped by demented electro-chemists Hot Chip and turned into a cyborg. Noir’s vocal chords have been roboticised and thus fit rather well over the Chipsters’ insolent keys and synthesised guitar grooves.
Jimpster – Armour LP Sampler (Freerange)
Format: 12”. Cat No: FR 074. Release Date: 8th May 2006.
If this sampler is anything to go by, then Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell’s “Armour” LP should be pretty special. “A Love Like This” is unfortunately not a cover of Faith Evans’ Chic nabbing Disco & B banger, but instead is an uplifting synther, with commanding vocals and laughing keys. The other standouts on this sampler are a mind altering key driven number entitled “Seventh Wave” and “Don’t Push It”, where addictive keys and demonstrative strings rule.
Hanna Haïs – Jazz Samba (Atal Music/Bubble Soul)
Format: 12”. Cat No: Atal 1164. Release Date: 6th May 2006.
Angelic French singer Hanna Haïs continues her House quest with “Jazz Samba”, a track produced by Danny Marques. Eloquent Latin guitars, well-defined percussion and a friendly bass back Ms. Haïs’ vocals on the original version. Gentle strings and slow to react keys calm the listener on the ‘Uranus Lounge Remix’.
Kirk Degiorgio pres. Esoterik – Starwave EP (Freerange)
Format: 12”. Cat No: FR 073. Release Date: 22nd May 2006.
Captain Kirk moves to previously uncharted Discoey shores on this release for Freerange. A circling bass, wow inducing synths and matter of fact percussion meet on the original version. Impolite beats and a live bass make their feelings known on Jimpster’s remix, with all-powerful synths rising to the top on Spirit Catcher’s retooling.
V/A – Gold Diggers: As Sampled By Kanye West SAMPLER (Harlmess)
Format: 7”. Cat No: HURT 7001. Available Now.
Kayne West might be known in popular music circles for his rappin’ and production work on his own releases, but arguably it’s his talent as a beat manipulator for other R’n’B and Hip Hop heavyweights, which has transported West to where he is today. This 7” is an aperitif for a full compilation, which exposes Kanye’s might as a sampler spotter. Careful keys, fresh air brass and slow walk percussion meet on Hank Crawford’s “Wallflower”. Etta James’ devoted vocals ring out over beautiful guitar play and bewitching brass on “My Funny Valentine”.
Burning Spear – Never (Remixes) (Burning Music Production)
Format: 12”. Cat No: BS 001. Promo.
Burning Spear get the once over in a disappointing trance-breaks style by superstar spinner Paul Oakenfold, but the day is saved by Barry O’Hare. Hare’s rootsy ‘O ‘Rastaman’ Dub Mix’ is home to a swirling bass, trorch holding brass and intriguing guitar work.
Speaker Junk – Scratch Up The Music (Speaker Junk)
Format: 12”. Cat No: SPK 001. Release Date: Late April 2006.
New boy Herve teams up with Trevor Loveys for an instalment of head messing guttural House on the pair’s new Speaker Junk imprint. “Scratch Up The Music” is an ear-bending thumper, with subby bass rolls, demented computer sounds and ridiculous string hits. “Run The Track” is rather restrained by comparison, as a squelchy bass converses with committed beats and vox slices.
Blaze feat. Barbara Tucker – Most Precious Love (Freemasons RMX) (Defected). Format: 12”, CD and digital. Cat No: DFTD 125. Available Now.
The Freemasons make Dennis Ferrer’s refix of “Most Precious Love” a little easier to swallow, in order to boost the commercial appeal of this dancefloor monster. By taming Ferrer’s bassline, sanitising Ms. Tucker’s vocals and cleaning the bassline, the Freemasons have achieved their goal. If Defected feel the need to commission such a remix in order to guarantee commercial success, mainstream radio and the pop charts must value streamlined music over challenging creations.
Deepgroove – Attack! Attack! (Slave)
Format: 12”. Cat No: SLAVE 010. Promo.
Slave keep the unapologetic House flag flying with this delightfully brutal release from Deepgroove. It ain’t very deep, but “Attack! Attack!” is a devastating housefloor belter, with cold hearted beats, pierced strings and a monstrous bassline. Bobby Lorenz & Kristoph’s synth driven ‘Lock-In’ Re-work’ is rather domesticated by comparison!
Jeremy Warmsley – Other People’s Secrets (Transgressive)
Format: 10”. Available Now.
Jeremy Warmsley is a musical prodigy just into his 20s, but he doesn’t seem like the type of guy that released his first Hip Hop album when he was 10 or passed his Grade 8 piano exams aged 12. Instead, he’s been busying himself producing engaging and musically accomplished downbeat tunes with heartfelt vocals and the occasional electronic flourish. His songs can have you captivated one moment and cringing the next, but this master craftsman is a welcome break from a flood of songwriters that always take guitars over instrumental variety and electronics. Snooty strings and ramshackle percussion dominate the embittered “Dirty Blue Jeans”, whilst “I Knew That Her Face Was A Lie” is only soft vocals and caught in the wind keys. Noble keys chart a tale of woe on “Jonathan And The Oak Tree”, as “Modern Children” comes on like macabre guitarists Interpol, until light keys and acoustic guitars bring fun to the proceedings. Predictably, “Hush” ends the EP on calm note, as
slovenly vocals and lost keys attempt to escape from a quietly menacing bassline.
Dead Disco – The Treatment (High Voltage Sounds)
Format: 7” (SOLD OUT!) & digital. Cat No: HV07 008. Available Now.
This Leeds four piece made up of three ladies and a guy on drums don’t make music to stir the ghosts of Bernard Edwards (Chic), Larry Levan et al, but instead they create exciting electroic indie. It’s the ‘Metronomy Mix’ of “The Treatment” that stands out, courtesy of its screeching synths, slanted vocals and eccentric beats. The loopy-keyed original, with its controlling guitars and smug vocals, is a little dull by comparison.
Kill The Young – Addiction (Discograph)
Format: 7” & digital. Release Date: 8th May 2006.
Many know Discograph for their Housey releases by the likes of Dimitri from Paris, but this imprint can also do it for the indie crowd. Kill The Young are three brothers that hail from a Manchester suburb and make powering guitar based compositions. “Addiction” is a tale of trying to find your niche, backed by running drums and quick paced guitars. “Radio” is stirring number, where frustration seeps into steadfast guitars.
Waxplanet – Streets On Fire (Grand Transmission)
Format: 7”. Release Date: 8th May 2006.
Waxplanet’s sunshiny guitar play and pert drumming is a little at odds with their adopted home, as they reside in a bohemian yet rough around the edges Manchester suburb, where the weather is more likely to be dreary than summery. “Streets on Fire” pays homage to the city they’ve come to call home, as dependable rhythmics and probing melodies keep the flames burning. “Get Involved” is another hi-octane display, with urging vocals and quick-cymballed percussion.
Autokat – Dish Out (akoustik Anarkhy)
Format: 7”. Cat No: aA2W/ 022. Release Date: 1st May 2006.
The dark Autokat bring us their second single in the shape of “Dish Out”, inspired by many a debauched gig driven party. The vocals ponder the sights, smells and everything else that goes with fun music-focused gatherings, backed by understated percussion and voracious guitars. Endearing guitars, single level vocals and dependable drums meet on “Get Off The Bar”.
Thomas Truax – Have We Been Left Behind? (akoustik Anarkhy)
Format: 7”. Cat No: aA2W/ 021. Release Date: 22nd May 2006.
Mr. Truax is an endearing NY based musician who makes music with his own custom built instruments that include ‘The Stringaling’ and a drum machine called the ‘Sister Spinster’. Truax even manipulates his own voice, by putting his words through a gramaphone type ‘Hornicator’. “Have We Been Left Behind?” philosophises over jangling percussion and bendy melodics. Ostentatious strings, itch relieving rhythmics and off colour vocals inhabit the disturbed “Lessons In Art”.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
***Freelaunce Journalist***
Website = www.mosoul.co.uk.
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Received on 2006-04-18 12:46:31