Jon Freer’s Reviews – 22nd March 2006.
Albums & Compilations:
V/A – Electric Pussycat starring Jerome Sydenham – BBE/Ibadan
Diesler – Keepie Uppies – Tru Thoughts
V/A – Compost Black Label Series Vol 01 – Compost Black
V/A – Panama! Funk, Latin & Calypso on the Isthmus 1965-75 – Soundway
Thievery Corporation – Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi – ESL
0898dave – When The River Runs Dry, We Die – Heart & Soul
V/A – Om: Miami 2006 – Om
V/A – Patrick Forge’s Pres. The Brazilian Funk Experience – Nascente
Gum Drop – Hi-Falutin – Altered Vibes
Dday One – Loop Extensions – Needle-Work
Thanks to all the people who’ve sent me these records to rate…
Slight alteration to the album and comps review format…
Feedback to: jfreviews_at_yahoo.co.uk
V/A – Electric Pussycat starring Jerome Sydenham – BBE/Ibadan
SYNOPSIS: Full throttle technoid House.
LOVE: The mesmeric nature of the music.
HATE: The reliance on Techy tracks and heavy percussive rhythmics means there’s unfortunately no room for other facets of the Ibadan sound.
HIGHLIGHTS: Matthew Jonson’s trippy yet serene “Love Letters From The Enemy” and Dennis Ferrer’s key kissed “Son Of Raw”.
VERDICT: An emotionally charged exploration from Sydenham, which makes you yearn to witness him spin in a club.
Format: CD. Cat No: BBECD072. Release Date: 11th April 2006.
Diesler – Keepie Uppies – Tru Thoughts
SYNOPSIS: Fuzzy broke jazz business, with a funki twitch and a Latin shake of the hips.
LOVE: The musical sunshine emanating from an album made in the rather un-exotic climate of Lancashire mill town Burnley.
HATE: Moments of musical fluff.
HIGHLIGHTS: The warm-hearted “Summer Dream” and the uplifting brassed up strains of “A Little Something”.
VERDICT: A pretty damn impressive second album from Mr. Radford, which contains more standout moments than his first LP.
Format: CD. Cat No: TRUCD097. Release Date: 24th April 2006.
V/A – Compost Black Label Series Vol 01 – Compost Black
SYNOPSIS: Hair-raising House and oddly beaten numbers from Germany’s Broken Jazz leaders.
LOVE: The exhilarating nature of the tracks.
HATE: Certain ones are a little too frightening!
HIGHLIGHTS: The sleazy house-step of Trickski’s “Hormony” and a string riddled bassathon from Lopazz called “Child Of Dance”.
VERDICT: Kinda like a hot model…style wins over substance, but rather desirable all the same.
Format: CD. Cat No: 215-2. Available in Europe now, US Release Date: May 2006.
V/A – Panama! Funk, Latin & Calypso on the Isthmus 1965-75 – Soundway
SYNOPSIS: With a Latin flourish, a Caribbean swagger and influences that have travelled in on the winds from elsewhere, this Panamanian comp serves up bountiful musical treats.
LOVE: The rich musical heritage displayed here, which show’s there’s more to this wafer thin country than headgear and man made water body.
HATE: What about pre ’65 and post ’75 Panamanian music?
HIGHLIGHTS: Bush y Magnificos’ breezy “Nana Nina” and Los Fabulosos Festivals gutsy guitar driven “El Mesaje”.
VERDICT: An authentic tale of the musical happenings from one of the least documented countries of the Americas.
Format: CD/2LP. Cat No: SNDWCD/LP007. Release Date: 28th March 2006.
Thievery Corporation – Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi – ESL
SYNOPSIS: The Corp’s original worldwise downbeat and dub-influenced album reissued.
LOVE: They way the Thievery’s music seeps into your consciousness.
HATE: The over-politeness of their compositions.
HIGHLIGHTS: The sky-gazing “Shaolin Satellite” and the string-led, strung out “Incident at Gate 7”.
VERDICT: This is an exotic smelling meal, where the flavours have been tailored towards a western palate.
Format: CD. Cat No: ESL 090. CD reissue available now.
0898dave – When The River Runs Dry, We Die – Heart & Soul
SYNOPSIS: Lofi guitartronics from zany Dave.
LOVE: Dave’s humour.
HATE: The fact that 0898dave’s music will not change your life or inspire you to achieve feats of greatness.
HIGHLIGHTS: A charming guitar driven tribute to a certain chair bound detective, which goes by the name of “Ironside”, and the chiming “Glockrock”.
VERDICT: This silly album can either have you laughing uncontrollably or shouting expletives, depending on your mood.
Format: CD. Cat No: HAS004CD. Available Now.
V/A – Om: Miami 2006 – Om
SYNOPSIS: Electric House business from start to finish.
LOVE: The uplifting nature of certain tracks.
HATE: The impassivity of others.
HIGHLIGHTS: Uneaq’s cheery “Salsa Pico” and Fred Everything’s synthilating “Studio C”.
VERDICT: The flashes of brilliance stand out amongst the standard faire.
Format: CD. Cat No: OM204. Release Date: 24th April 2006.
V/A – Patrick Forge’s Pres. The Brazilian Funk Experience – Nascente
SYNOPSIS: This impressive set shows the diversity and musical depth of the source material – EMI Odeon releases from 1968-1989.
LOVE: The energy and sparkling nature of the music.
HATE: The disappointing lack of a vinyl release for this compilation, which would undoubtedly do well at a time when Brazilian compositions are very popular.
HIGHLIGHTS: The earnestly keyed “Embalo Diferente” from Os Devaneios and Marcelo’s thorny guitarred “Algo No Al”.
VERDICT: An ear opening compilation, which contains loads of killer cuts.
Format: CD. Cat No: NSCD112. Release Date: 3rd April 2006.
Gum Drop – Hi-Falutin – Altered Vibes
SYNOPSIS: Soul-hop niceness from G-D.
LOVE: G-D’s edgy instrumented and distinctive production style.
HATE: The forgettableness of some album cuts.
HIGHLIGHTS: The bass circling “Block Drop” and a dancing keyed number called “One Last Chance.
VERDICT: A satisfying soul snack.
Format: CD/LP. Cat No: AVBPM005. Release Date: 3rd April 2006.
Dday One – Loop Extensions – Needle-Work
SYNOPSIS: Rugged cut and paste down hop.
LOVE: They way that gorgeous instrumentation is laid over heavy beats.
HATE: The flatness of the compositions.
HIGHLIGHTS: Dusty bassline business of “If Eyes Were Ears” and the honest “Distant Memory”.
VERDICT: Well thought out as it is, this release isn’t very exhilarating.
Format: CD. Cat No: NWCD03. Available Now.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
***Freelaunce Journalist***
Website = www.mosoul.co.uk.
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Received on 2006-03-23 14:57:14