From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-03-07 22:57:55
Jon Freer’s Reviews 7th March 2005.
Singles:
Sasso – Tudo Bem (Remixes) (Rainy City Music)
V/A – Footprints Sampler One (Head 2 Toe)
V/A – Footprints Sampler Two (Head 2 Toe)
Lindstrøm – I Feel Space (Feedelity)
JT Donaldson feat Symphony – Trust Me (Om)
Speechless – The Steppin EP (SingSing Music)
Junk – 99c Strut (Take The Money And Run)
Justin Martin & Sammy D – Don’t Luv (Utensil)
Rocco feat Nicinha – My Dream (BS Traxx)
Soulsonik feat. Sabrynaah Pope – In Love Again (SUSU)
Thanks to Irfan at Rainy City, Frank at Head 2 Toe, Lindstrøm, Gareth at Zzonked, Nav at SingSing, Ben at BKS, Boz at Utensil and Sarah at Favouritizm for these…
Sasso – Tudo Bem (Remixes) (Rainy City Music)
Cat No: RCM0021. Release Date: March 2005.
“Tudo Bem”, from Manchester based Naveed ‘Sasso’ Akhtar originally saw the light of day in the summer of last year, released as a limited 7” on Nav’s Sing Sing label. Here the Portugese toned track gets the remix treatment from a trio of fine producers. The Elektra Orchestra version will turn most heads and ears, courtesy of its twinkling keys, empathy-inducing bass, vibrant percussive overlays and starry synths. The Disco detonating Only Child has turned in a couple of storming percussive re-rubs, with ear bending organs, tight trumpeting and powerful basslines. Perry Hemus has supplied a piano-dominated version, where key tinkering sits alongside cosmic synths and loveable strings.
V/A – Footprints Sampler One (Head 2 Toe)
V/A – Footprints Sampler Two (Head 2 Toe)
Cat No’s: TOE012/013. Both 12”’s are available now.
This excellent Italian imprint is known for its support for angularly percussed fractured beat hitters and these two records, which don’t disappoint, will make an imprint on the record remembering part of your mind. The first 12” kicks off with Yukihiro Fukutomi’s “It’s Just..”, where a vocalist tries to work out what music is, over bold stabling synths, nimble percussion and an almost g-funk esque squashy bass. The flip of this record contains Maddslinky’s demented synth addled refix of Zeb’s “Afrobug” and the ‘Yellowtail Blue Fin Dub’ of Banda Favela’s “Samba De Ile”, where a jagged bass in no mood for pleasantries and a flute that has been sent through a blender rule. Uncontrollable percussion, stuck in keys and gritty synths dominate “Samba 909” from Nubian Mindz featuring KJ. The Opaque Dub of Dom Um Romao’s “Lake Of Perservereance” is a hard edged revision with a frowning dopey bass and simple lively percussion, whereas the At Jazz version of Kabuki’s “Tempest” is !
a more musical number, coloured by pacifying minor keys and a flute with a wow factor.
Lindstrøm – I Feel Space (Feedelity)
Cat No: Feed004. Release Date: March 2005.
Multi-instrumentalist, admired producer and remixologist in demand, Lindstrøm also runs Feedelity and here he touches down with the splendid “I Feel Space”. Controlling synths, madcap percussion and a Doctor Who theme type bassline give “I Feel Space” a definite another planetary feel. “Roma e6” is a camp summery number, with nourishing chords, wide-eyed synths and strange Balearic guitar action.
JT Donaldson feat Symphony – Trust Me (Om)
Cat No: OM 170. Release Date: 11th April 2005.
JT Donaldson is one of San Fran’s most consistent producers and local label Om have done well to secure “Trust Me” for release. In original form, the track is a slow stepping cut, with laboured beats, a sax from heaven and Symphony’s vocals that attempt to unpick relationship issues. The Brodway and Wilson mix bangs it out for Housier floors, courtesy of its bad tempered bass stabs, marauding sax and thin synthetics. JT also supplies a couple of his own revisions, which are dominated by hedonistic keys and uplifting synths.
Speechless – The Steppin EP (SingSing Music)
Cat No: SSM005. Release Date: 28th March 2005.
Listeners shouldn’t be lost for words when they hear this wonderful EP from the Manchester based partnership of Sasso and Sylvan Richardson. “A Kiss 2 Much” featuring Hannah is the EP’s highlight, courtesy of its scowling bass, trickling guitars and melancholia inducing vocals. Diane Charlemagne lends her angelic voice to the electrifying synth addled “The Beat” and the downright raunchy “Snuggle Up”. “All Night Long” places a non co-operative bass under gooey keys, militant beats and liquified synths.
Junk – 99c Strut (Take The Money And Run)
Cat No: TMR002. Available Now.
Always careful of their pennies, the barginous Take The Money And Run return with some raw funk hop action. Diesler’s version is pretty poor to say the least, but the original is desirable, because the playful rap fits comfortably over a show-off sax and groovacious guitars.
Justin Martin & Sammy D – Don’t Luv (Utensil)
Cat No: utr0010. Available Now.
Justin Martin is rapidly making a name for himself and here he teams up with fellow newbie Sammy D, for some hot grooving house action. Lance De Sardi’s ‘Landshark Rework’ is the finer of the two versions, with its introverted synths, lashing out beats and chopped up bass. The original is a clubby mover, with mind possessing strings, reliable keys and a d&b style pummelling bass.
Rocco feat Nicinha – My Dream (BS Traxx)
Cat No: BSTRAXX0002. Release Date: 21st March 2005.
Lyon based Rocco shows that the French can give Naked et al a run for their money, with this supremely souled number. The original sees masked beats, gorgeous strings and nifty beats combine under Nicinha’s honeyed vocals. The Sueno Soul vocal watches healing keys, neat guitars and sweetened guitars link up wonderfully. The ‘In Those Vocal’ heads even deeper, courtesy of a bottomless bass, unsure keys and lurvely vocals. The ‘Keyapella’ takes strength from some breathtaking strings and swishing guitars.
Soulsonik feat. Sabrynaah Pope – In Love Again (SUSU)
Cat No: 12SUSU29. Release Date: 21st March 2005.
Here is more melt in the mouth candy house on SUSU, this time from the Italian Soulsonik pairing. The ‘Southern Divide Classic Mix’ places Sabrynaah’s lovely yet sense devoid vocals over generic beats, sky reaching synths and smiling keys. The flip contains a shapely guitar revision from Richard Earnshaw and Sant and Matteo’s gold-plated keyed up version.
Reply to Erik's question...
The Aya on the Jazztronik new album (actually made up of two albums previously released in Japan - thanks to Steve for the info there) sounds like she could be the one on Naked, but I'm not sure. Can anyone else confirm either way?
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
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