From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2006-02-12 18:16:27
Jon Freer’s Reviews – 12th February 2006.
Albums & Comps:
Jenna G – For Lost Friends (Bingo)
V/A – Atlantic Jaxx: A Compilation Vol 2 (Atlantic Jaxx)
Emmanuel – D’Illusions Of Grandeur (Little League)
Lushlife – Order Of Operations (Scenario)
V/A – Spiritland: The Funk & Soul of Blue Eyed Rock (Harmless)
Muallem – Frankie Spits (Compost)
Joe Silva – Loudmouth Sirens (Purespace)
Birdy Nam Nam – Album (KIF/Uncivilized World)
Thanks to Angela & Natasha, Atlantic Jaxx, Lucius at The Outpost, Nicky & Jo at Phuture Trax, Achim at Compost, Joe Silva and Gerry Lyseight for these…
Jenna G – For Lost Friends (Bingo)
Cat No: BINGOCD07. Release Date: 20th March 2006.
Ms. G lets her emotions take full control on this rip-roaring album. Exhilarating D&B production work from a string of players including Shy FX and Zinc back Jenna’s compelling vocals and the backings range from uplifting arrangements to bad tempered rollouts and dance-inducing jumpy numbers. “In Love” places hammering beats, uneasy keys and sturdy bass behind Jenna’s resigned vocals. She begs on “Woe”, where sprightly beats and an agitated bass provide ample backing. “Don’t Bury Me” is a spicily keyed number, where Jenna comes out to battle pained strings and a sullen bass. This album has an emphasis on ‘proper’ songs and Jenna’s certainly come up with the goods here. I hope in the future Jenna will release an album that lets her explore other musical territories.
V/A – Atlantic Jaxx: A Compilation Vol 2 (Atlantic Jaxx)
Cat No: JAXX CD003. Release Date: 27th February 2006.
I believe that the Jaxxsters saved some of their best material for their own Altantic Jaxx imprint. Appealing House and slow movin’ souly stuff can be found on this second label round up, which features Jaxx archive material alongside good stuff from label mates and the occasional duff tune. Basement Jaxx’s own “City People” is a jubilant synthoid stormer, with over-excited key sweeps, an obliterating bass and romantic vocodered vocals. The ‘Deep Dub 1’ of Yen Sung’s “Do You” places thumpin’ carnival beats and a nasty bass behind tentative keys. An orchestralated string arrangement, loveable keys and careful percussion meet on the sublime Jaxx penned “Urban Haze”. Worth it for the Jaxx oldies alone!
Emmanuel – D’Illusions Of Grandeur (Little League)
Cat No: LLCD003. Available Now.
Emmanuel’s debut long player is an impressively instrumentated collection of Hip Hop, Neo Soul and Broken Soul cuts. Put together with help from a striking list of collaborators, “D’Illusions Of Grandeur” contains a number of lovely soul-scorched tunes. “Dámelo” feat Belle is a desireful number, with caring guitars and smart percussion. Daniel DeBourg expresses feelings of dismay at falling in love on the reliably percussed “Quicksand”. “Proof” lets Sandra Escoffery philosophise over revealing guitar work and hushed keys. Nu Brit Hop Soul!
Lushlife – Order Of Operations (Scenario)
Cat No: SCCD012. Release Date: 20th March 2006.
This release from Lushlife is well produced and musically bright, but unfortunately lacks charisma in places. Standouts are provided in the form of recent single “No Foundation”, where jerked keys and law laying down beats rule, and the beautiful knotted sax interlude entitled “Nocturne Pour Les Coins D’elle Yeux”. There’s some nifty samplin’, well spoken rappin’ and cool souly bits, but there’s a nagging feeling that “Order Of Operations” could have perhaps been a little more exciting in places.
V/A – Spiritland: The Funk & Soul of Blue Eyed Rock (Harmless)
Cat No: HURTCD064. Available Now.
On this compilation, knowledgeable scribe and spinner Bill Brewster charts an age where rockin’ artists looked to Black America for inspiration and produced some pretty tasty music. The soul influences can be felt on these bare sounding, guitarry compositions. Gino Vannelli’s “People Gotta Move On” commands from a refuge where weighty keys, strict drums and bass that enjoys life dwell. Romantic brass, gorgeous flutes and committed guitars meet on the beaming “Happy Cause I’m Coming Home” by Chicago. Sax-acrobatics take pride of place on “Spooky” by Classics IV. Engaging stuff.
Muallem – Frankie Spits (Compost)
Cat No: CPT 208-1/2. Release Date: 27th March 2006.
David Muallem makes powerfully executed electronic hop. This album ranges from nu-electroid madness to housier fair and even includes the occasional fracturedly beaten cut. “Some Loving” sees Martine Girault provide lustful vocalizations over echoey guitar hits and an imposing bass. The cosmical “Shanti Dance” sees brightly coloured synths and driving guitars get down with gorgeous keys and powerful drums. “Cruising” fractures beats under authority stamping guitars and wide-eyed synths. Due to the nature of some of the tracks present, it’s quite likely that this album will be snapped up by fashion chasing muso’s, but there’s something to Muallem’s compositions that suggests his work will endure unlike that of many of those who pander to musical trends and crazes.
Joe Silva – Loudmouth Sirens (Purespace)
Cat No: PSD0012. Available now from joesilvamusic.com
Housey in outlook, this interesting album from Winnipeg’s Joe Silva mixes cold techy cuts with bumpy grooved material. There’s there occasional excursion down other musical avenues, but all cuts retain an electronic precision and breath-catching edginess. “Your House” is home to a frowning bass, hopeful strings and positive keys. “Life In Suede” places excited trumpeting and strange keys over pondering guitars and crushed beats. “Like You” is a drunken come-on, with stumbling keys and a pained bass. Worth investigating…
Birdy Nam Nam – Album (KIF/Uncivilized World)
Cat No: Uwel 86. Release Date: 27th February 2006.
This scratchadelic collection comes from a musical team whose world begins and also ends with Hip Hop and turntable trickery. They may visit various musical lands on their travels, but Birdy Nam Nam are b-boys at heart. Their album is full of clunky beat driven numbers, which are mostly short in length. BNN’s tracks impress except when the group ventures too far towards weird territories. “Body, Mind, Spirit” lets a pipe type instrument sing its heart out over thoughtful keys, clumsy percussion and a snarling bass. Grand strings, vulnerable keys and whispered vox get soaked on “Rainstorming”. “Migration” is an uptempo bruk gem, with watery keys, live bass steps and crazed scratchin’. Bon!
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
***Freelaunce Journalist***
Website = www.mosoul.co.uk.
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