Jon Freer’s Reviews – 26th April 2006.
Albums and Compilations:
V/A – Rolando: From There To Here And Now (NRK)
Jimpster – Armour (Freerange)
Max Cole – Star Charts (Wah Wah 45s)
SUMO – The Danceband (Heya Hifi)
V/A – Gold Diggers: As Sampled By Kanye West (Harmless)
V/A – This Is How We Lounge 2 (Sunshine Enterprises)
Jesse Rose – More Than One (Front Room)
V/A – Dub Club: Picked From The Floor (G-Stone)
V/A – remixed suSU (suSU)
Waxfactor – Sci Fu (Needlework)
Thanks to the labels and PR people that have sent me these records…
V/A – Rolando: From There To Here And Now (NRK)
Cat No: NRKCD025X. Release Date: 15th May 2006.
Rolando Rocha is a Detroit knight in shining armour, who recently relocated to Edinburgh. Here he lays down a compilation of pulsating Tech escapades and relaxed House numeros. The breadth of music on show impresses, as does Senor Jaguar’s record manipulation. Disc one focuses on lively Discoid and Technified cuts, with hot cuts including Andreas Saag’s thumping sax laced “Release The Groove” and Rolando’s own “In-Transit”, where life-changing strings and brimming over keys cohabit. Disc two is a thoughtful affair, where super deep tunes such as Malik Alston’s enticingly keyed “Butterfly” and Vince Watson’s cosmic synth shaped “Cycles” are aired. Rocha may be known for fiery Techno and aching string arrangements, but this comp shows he’s as comfortable presiding over an afterhours gathering as pleasing a packed dancefloor.
Jimpster – Armour (Freerange)
Cat No: FRCD17. Release Date: 5th June 2006.
The immediacy and ear catching nature of the tracks on this ever so deep effort from Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell gives “Armour” a spellbinding quality. The album sees Jimpster produce a number of wonderful tunes that range from foot shoving House numbers to ponderous broken soul outings. Elsa Hedburg drags you towards an inevitable liaison on “Slippin’”, as her sultry vocals grip taut keys tightly. “Jus’ Wanna Feel” places engaging vocal murmurs over half-step beats and attractive keys. This is the strongest Freerange release in a long while, with main man Jimpster showing that he’s the deepest of them all.
Max Cole – Star Charts (Wah Wah 45s)
Cat No: WAHCD002. Release Date: 22nd May 2006.
Max Cole can play various instruments and sing like an angel, but that’s not all. “Star Charts” gives a clear indication of Cole’s talent as a beat programmer and his desire to stick out from the crowd. Cole’s reliance on real instruments gives his music a raw quality, which is lacked by the work of airbrush conscious, computer relying producers. It is the unprocessed nature of this Broken Soul angled LP, which makes Max’s compositions stand out from that of his contemporaries. “Ay Calor” is all lurching beats, wah wahing bass work and standing up straight beats. “Silver Linings” is more glorious summer weather than black cloud doom and gloom, as an astounding flute weaves its magical web around rustling percussion and unwell synths. Today’s forward thinking jazz and soul fraternity should take note, there’s a new kid on the block and he’s got the talent to rise to the top…
SUMO – The Danceband (Heya Hifi)
Cat No: HEYACD02. Release Date: 22nd May 2006.
“The Danceband” is an album of boisterous, posterior shaking House tunes from a heavyweight Swedish pairing. The smile inducing tunes on this album make this album rather endearing, and they outweigh the few cold-hearted compositions. “Tribute” is a spirited number, with powering keys and reaching brass. “Nini” shoots speeding guitars and quick tongued vocals over swingin’ beats. Latin and Afro House fun for all.
V/A – Gold Diggers: As Sampled By Kanye West (Harmless)
Cat No: HURTCD/LP065. Release Date: May 2006.
Some of West’s sources are exposed on this soul-steeped compilation. It’s good to see the top quality tunes like Gil Scott Heron’s tormented “Home Is Where The Hatred Is” and Bobby Bland’s gruff guitarred “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” getting the full airing they deserve, but others sounded better as Kanye’s butchered samples. Collections like this are a little bit of a cheat, but “Gold Diggers” shows West’s prowess as a music manipulator and features some fine soul articles.
V/A – This Is How We Lounge 2 (Sunshine Enterprises)
Cat No: CDSR050. Available Now.
A number of catalogue highlights from Vienna’s Sunshine Enterprises imprint have been revisited here in an intriguing manner. A number of usual suspects and habitual remixers have done stellar jobs, but some revisitations are a little lacklustre. Yam Who treat Madrid de los Austrias’ “Para Don Alonso” to a souled up brass banquet, where free guitars and an attentive bass provide assistance. Blackbeard gives Rob Scott’s “Fallin’” a wonderful broken soul once over, courtesy of well thought out percussion and brass interplay, guitars of love and string sweetness. This is a mixed bag, where remix dons such as Yam Who, Blackbeard and Restless Soul shine!
Jesse Rose – More Than One (Front Room)
Cat No: FRMCD001. Release Date: May 2006.
Rose’s premier album is actually a collaborative effort from start to finish, with guest appearances from a number of major players. Collaborations are an excellent opportunity for the cross pollination of musical ideas, and here have resulted in some startling but nonetheless welcome results. Jesse Rose teams up with Trevor Loveys on “Drop What You’re Doing”, where curt beats back leavering bass work. “Stop, Look & Listen” sees Jesse draft in Henrik Schwarz for a moving number, where comforting chords and lost voices float over commanding percussion. Broadly speaking, “More Than One” is a House album, albeit not one that really focuses on the sick and twisted floor pounders that Rose and his cronies have found fame with.
V/A – Dub Club: Picked From The Floor (G-Stone)
Cat No: GSCD025. Available Now.
Nu dub and various envelope pushing electronic styles make their presence known on this comp, which celebrates a decade of Dub Club parties. Naturally, there are some wonderful dub based workouts on this disc, but one has to question the inclusion of D&B stormers in the middle of the mix, as they unsettle the flow of the compilation. The Dub Club Remake of Stereotyp’s “Um-Dois-Tres” is a writhing synthoid number, with demented vocal shrieks and steppin’ beats. A sooty bass, flamboyant strings and primed keys colour OMFO’s “Bagdub”. This great comp lets you peak into the Dub Club.
V/A – remixed suSU (suSU)
Cat No: SUALBCD16. Available Now.
Soul kissed tunage from the suSU House gets rejigged here in order to extend the life of these dancefloor filling tracks. Some of the remixes are rather heartening, but others have you yearning for the originals. Phil Hooton does a great job with Blaze and Kenny Bobien’s “Hiya Luv”, as buoyant beats lounge behind swirling synths, praisin’ vox and dark’n’light bass touches. Soul Central give Rosie Gaines’ “Closer Than Close” a sumptuous makeover, courtesy of sharp string work and thumped beats. Soulf House magic.
Waxfactor – Sci Fu (Needlework)
Cat No: NWCD002. Available Now.
Waxfactor brings us more cut and paste business with a side helping of hoppy scratchin’ action. There are a few dull tunes, but Waxfactor holds the attention most of the time, referencing Downbeat, Breaks, Reggae and more, as well as bringing listeners the usual hearty Hip Hop serving. “Adverse Camber” places moody strings and disjointed keys over a nasty bass. “Contact” relies on pleading strings to liven up murmuring vocals and a tremouring bass. Scratchadelic sample based fun.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
***Freelaunce Journalist***
Website = www.mosoul.co.uk.
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Received on 2006-04-26 17:34:22