The Rebirth Of Cool 7 - Another plan compiled by Patrick Forge
Island Records serves up the seventh installment of
'The Rebirth Of Cool' series on March 23rd. Keeping
the faith and spreading the word, this collection brings
together the numerous and diverse elements that
make up today's true dance culture. At a time when
the market is saturated with 'Speed Garage' and 'Big
Beat' compilations, is it not refreshing, if not
educational, to hear something a bit more
open-minded?
But on to the music. Let Patrick take you through the tracks...
Abstract Truth "Get Another Plan"
An almost unique achievement; a great song with an original dance floor rhythm
played by a live band. Pure jazz energy and dance floor dynamics. Originally
released via Francois Kevorkian's Wave Records.
Ian O'Brien "Monkey Jazz"
Ian O'Brien lives in Essex, makes a form of jazz-infused techno, and openly
acknowledges his debt to the original master of the form, Underground
Resistance's Mad Mike. Yet his fusion-inspired journeys in to
four-on-the-floor
syncopation have a unique joyous quality. Always reaching.
Blaze "My Beat"
Unsung heroes of the garage generation, their LP for Motown is an often
overlooked masterpiece, and their music just keeps getting better. "My
Beat" is a
seminal tune, proving just how funky you can get at around 120bpm.
Afro-textures, poetry and a tight bassline give this peerless rhythm so
much drive
and depth. Truly inspirational.
Universal Being "Size of an Elephant"
Holistic Recordings is a haven of creativity from the Isle of Wight. They only
release records of rhythmic and textural intelligence; that much is always
guaranteed. With "Size of an Elephant" they certainly created a monster
that takes
the dance floor by storm.
Spacer "Contrazoom"
Spacer, AKA Luke Gordon, is a pioneer of dark orchestral fusions and left-foot
jazz drums. With the lush resonance of Alison Goldfrapp's vocal, "Contrazoom"
chills and entices in equal measure. Bewitching.
Underwolves "Redeemer"
It's a spiritual thing that constantly threatens to spiral off in to the
ether, yet
Professor Stretch's drums somehow win the battle and succeed in keeping this
message of loveliness earthbound and tied to the dance floor.
Skitz alongside Roots Manuva "Where My Mind is At"
Roots Manuva is a timebomb waiting to explode, a UK rapper of such relaxed
authority, with a voice that beguiles and intrigues in much the same way as
masters
like Rakim and Q Tip, yet truly London in flavour. Skitz's deep rolling
production
perfectly sets the Manuva in motion.
New Sector Movements "Afro-History"
This track could almost be the sequel to Blaze's "My Beat", which takes
nothing
away from this killer groove, produced by I.G.Culture, who featured on The
Rebirth of Cool II as half of Dodge City Productions. This is ultimate funky
off-beat business, elements of African, Brazilian and Latin rhythm stir up the
groove which hypnotises us to such an extent, we're shocked by the sudden
arrival of the exuberant jazz finale.
Kerri & Joe "Escravos de Jo"
Based around one of Milton Nascimento's wonderful melodies and hooked up to
Kerri and Joe's irresistible rolling Baiao groove, with freestyle guitar
adding extra
organic flavour, this is the sound of conscious NYC. Dance floor
deliverance from
the spiritual lifers.
Dean Fraser "African Elation"
Amidst these new fusions, we harbour something so simple, so natural, the
essence of it all; time-honoured tradition and the joy of playing music.
Dean Fraser
has made an epic contribution to Jamaican music. Enjoy, as he kicks back and
shares something special with us.
Amalgamation of Soundz "Tears for Yazd"
A sultry Moorish fusion, like a heat haze of textures and melody wrapped
around
a subtle but solid bassline.
Karime Kendra "Chemical Imbalance"
DJ Die's stripped-down beats and Karime's gently jazzed vocals blend so
brilliantly you have to pause and remember, yes, this is a remix. DJ Die is
the
master minimalist of Roni Size's Reprazent posse, and Karime? Well, she's got
plenty to say and an album of unreleased quality songwriting.
State of Bengal "Elephant Ride"
"Onomatopoeia. N: Formation of words that imitate what they stand for."
"Elephant Ride" is a tune that sounds like... an elephant ride, no imitation
necessary. A star of the Anokha compilation burning brightly.
Luciano "Life"
Luciano's heartical message reduced to a few phrases and interwoven with Da
Lata's nu-skool samba, a short trip from Jamaica to Bahia via Kentish Town.
Faze Action "Plans and Designs"
Simon Lee's adventures in disco with strings combines a genuine love for the
tradition, with a thoroughly contemporary attitude. This, the title track
from his
debut LP, is an epic fantasy where percussion patterns, basslines and those
all-important strings combine to form what is indeed an odyssey.
Tala Quintet "Na-Da"
Rajan Parikh, a man with deep roots in the London jazz-dance underground,
reveals the truth of that old saying "what goes around, comes around". A great
tune that originally started as a homage to one of Rajan's Latin-jazz idols
Noro
Morales, but through some strange quirk of fate ended up flavoured with the
sounds of his Asian roots. Manorama's vocals are simply awesome.
Bill Riley "In at the Deep End"
This tune is a rush; sizzling hi-hats and an insistent looped sax set the
pace, drums
spring into action like an animal let off the leash and then this exultant,
passionate
horn takes it to the next level. All this before the bassline drops!
Roni Size "Ballet Dance"
What can we say about the Mercury Prize winner that hasn't already been said?
Whilst others in drum & bass circles were losing the plot with extremes of
either
industrial strength monotony or ambient wash-outs, Roni and crew just got
on with
making some challenging, fresh music.
Fused Up "Impressions"
There have been previous attempts to translate Coltrane's memorable melody to
the dance floor, but none have achieved it so effortlessly. An all-star
crew of
beat-mongers and musicians keep the jazz spirit alive.
The Mighty Strinth "What is It?"
Indeed a question, but one that hardly needs an answer in today's musical
climate.
Just great music that works on many levels.
"Dance music has a tradition that goes all the way back to the drum; the
primordial
communication that brings us together in rhythm to share the same groove.
This is
special, and whatever commercial affectations dance culture may develop, where
the music seems little more than the suitably hip accompaniment to the
lifestyle,
there will always be those who stay true to the spirit.
"This extended selection from the alternative dance floor and beyond, is
not music
that is necessarily "spiritual", but it is true to the spirit, reaching for
something,
trying to communicate through that universal language; some inspiration
information."
C H R I S
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Erykah Badu mailing list http://come.to/badu