From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-07-16 16:22:45
Jon Freer’s Reviews, 16th July 2005.
Album & comp selection:
V/A – The Original House Selection (The Original Selection)
Felix Laband – Dark Days Exit (Compost)
Leroy Hanghofer – White Trash (Gomma)
Beatfanatic – The Gospel According To Beatfanatic (Soundscape)
Crossover – Cryptic And Dire Sallow Faced Hoods Blast Off Into Oblivion (International DJ Gigolos)
V/A – Africa Remix (Milan)
SolaZul – SolaZul (Nice+Smooth)
V/A – DJ Sneak: House of Om (Om)
Thanks to Anton at Trailer Media, Garo at Rooftop, All at Compost, Ben at BKS, JC Chamboredon at Milan, Gerald at Nice+Smooth and All at Zzonked for these…
V/A – The Original House Selection (The Original Selection)
Cat No: OSEL 002. Release Date: 18th July 2005.
Put together Ian ‘Mastercuts’ Dewhurst, ‘The Original Selection’ is a collection of classy well-known and obscure House tracks from yesteryear. With Dewhurst at the helm, there’s no need to doubt the quality of the music on show, however, generally, the rejigs of Disco numbers on disc one aren’t quite of the same standard as the classic House material. Highlights of the first CD include Mr. Fingers’ life-enriching synth addled “Can You Feel It” and of the discoid material, Mousse T & Boris Dlugosch’s desirable guitar bassed refix of First Choice’s “The Player” is the finest. Disc two is the deeper of the pair, with celebrated breath-catching cuts appearing alongside a tribute to Todd Terry, (the Brooklyn sample don weighs in with six tracks), and a few slightly bland cuts. Ace deep numbers include the arresting “Your Love” from Franke Knuckles, and Todd’s prime offering is Black Riot’s “A Day in The Life”, where pseudo-rave synths and warmth filling keys are battered by
thumped percussion and squealing whistles. Masterful.
Felix Laband – Dark Days Exit (Compost)
Cat No: CPT-185 1/2. US Release Date: 9th August 2005.
In places “Dark Days Exit” is emotionally brooding and unsavoury, whereas there’s also a romantic and caring side to the music of Felix Laband. Fusing fresh out of the oven crisp electronics with lovely melodics, this Cape Town based artist has created an album that will bewilder due its weird electronic nature, but by the same token has the power to melt the soul. “Whistling In Tongues” blows gentle vocals and feather-like whistling over calming guitars and mechanised keys. “Red Handed” catches swaying synths, spooky keys and beats filed down to a point in the act. “Radio Right Now” watches serpent-like synthetics hiss at an evocative clarinet and piano keys in need of reassurance. Mindblowing.
Leroy Hanghofer – White Trash (Gomma)
Cat No: GOMMA 024. US Release Date: 9th August 2005.
Perhaps better known in electrofied circles as Munk, Mathias Modica and Jonas Imbrey show their love for discoey flavours with this LP for Gomma. At times coming across like Bugz In The Attic getting high with Daft Punk, their beat driven dancefloor orientated compositions are undoubtedly disposable yet so much fun. “Klon (Your Body)” sees crazed vocals sprawl across riled keys, screwed up guitars and strings with a mad gleam in their eyes. “H-Boy” relays an unhappy story over fizzed shining keys and sleazy beats. “Hippie Spick” places polite drum action under a biting bass whose teeth are spear-like, and winding guitars. Unadulterated goodtime party music.
Beatfanatic – The Gospel According To Beatfanatic (Soundscape)
Release Date: 25th July 2005.
Produced using Hip Hop aesthetics as the foundation for everything, “The Gospel According To Beatfanatic” has seen the obsessive visit a whole host of musical houses in order to research his book. The ‘fanatic has conjured up some pretty exciting Latin, Jazz and Disco treats especially towards the second half of the album, whereas some of the other compositions are unfortunately a little on the dull side. “Pete’s Funk” sees drums stumble under the weight of headache-inducing sirens, well to do flutes and a bright bass. “Intermission – Believe” is a gorgeous pause for thought, with cooling percussion, looking heavenward strings and keys full of the love of life. “Blow My Mind” brings in 12th Floor for a loved-up number, where positive guitars join worried vocals and strings with a smile as wide as the oceans. All manner of grooves in a cut and paste style.
Crossover – Cryptic And Dire Sallow Faced Hoods Blast Off Into Oblivion (International DJ Gigolos)
Available Now.
It goes without saying that Crossover are a little strange, one just needs to observe the title of this album or cast their eyes on the cover art to see this. Crossover’s music lives up to their visual oddity, courtesy of their love of nasty beats, odd synthetics and electroey abstractness. “Messages” is a nightmarish number, with an unsettling bass, chilling keys and senseless vocals. “The Visitor” welcomes stammering drums, cute keys and levitating basslines into the fold. “I Know Your Face” recalls at the past, over peaceful synths and juddering cosmic dust coated keys. Very strange!
V/A – Africa Remix (Milan)
Cat No: M2-36117. Available Now.
This is not a compilation of remixes of tracks from the beleaguered continent, but in fact a top quality CD accompaniment to a contemporary afrocentric art exhibition of the same name. The tracks come from a variety of African artists and represent the diversity of the landmass, showcasing those who make traditionally inspired and cutting-edge music. Tatouages presents us with “Silence, on ręve”, where summery guitars are joined by a chorus of melodious vocals. On the Remix of Oumou Sangare’s “Djarolen”, a graceful stringed instrument is draped over mournful sounding vocals and headnodding hopped beats. There is a tangible brightness to the guitar and drums on Manecas Coasta’s “Paraiso di Gumbe”, despite the fact that the vocals deal with a difficult subject matter; the death of Costa’s sister. Perhaps Geldof should have listened to these voices, before planning the musical travesty that was Live 8, where primarily aged white musicians patted each other on the back for
putting on such a ‘worthy’ series of concerts.
SolaZul – SolaZul (Nice+Smooth)
Cat No: nice 0023. Available Now.
Undoubtedly an album with the warmest season in mind, this self-titled collection from SolaZul is an Iberian flavoured journey into thrilling D&B, a variety of Brazilian dance styles and shaking broken beat. In places, singer Rubi echoes the work of syrup-tongued vocalists like Bebel Gilberto et al, which should please fans of those artistes, whereas the D&B will welcome the quadruple of remixes, mostly of a slamming nature, from the Visionary pairing. Luscious vocals coat the grooves created by curving guitars and breezy percussion on “Paixăo”. “Sola Bossa” is undoubtedly the most uplifting movement on the album, courtesy of Rubi’s compelling vocals, infectious guitars and drums with a spring to their step. “Baila!” invites one to dance alongside steady percussion and committed Spanish-sounding guitars. Muy bien.
V/A – DJ Sneak: House of Om (Om)
Cat No: OM 176. Available Now.
Bumpin’ groovesome House is the flavour of this Mix CD from Carlos Sosa, once king of abusively filtered and cut up diskoid House grooves. Sneak has somewhat refined his sound over the years, and this comp represents what housey flavours are currently pushing his buttons. Lawnchair Generals “The Truth” as remixed by DJ Sneak himself is an energetic cut, with nervous keys, floor-gazing synths and an athletic bassline. No Assembly Firm bring us “Acid Attack”, where a pressurized bass and rough beats fight the obstacles in their path. Mike’s Garage mix of “This Belongs To You” by the Inland Knights loops up a dejected sounding sax over rolling synths, shocked strings and opn point beats. Butt shakin’ stuff…
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Mo'soul Publicity: Variety of services offered:
contact for further details.
*Freelance journalist.
Publications include -
Keep On Magazine
Blues & Soul Magazine
XLR8R Magazine
City Life Magazine
Inner Loop Magazine
littleplanet.net
pitchadjust.com
beyondjazz.net
deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!