[acid-jazz] Reviews

From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-09-05 15:48:50

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    Jon Freer's Reviews – 4th September 2005.

    Albums & Compilations:
    The Hits Collection (Electric Souls)
    Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy (Jagjaguwar)
    V/A – reBOOT: Notes For The Next Generation (Om)
    Mossyrock – The Zero To One Sessions (Nice+Smooth)
    V/A – Underground Crown Holders (Grand Central)
    The Prophecy Projekt – Science Of A Visionary (Prophecy Projekt)

    Thanks to the Electric Souls, Will at in House, Charles & Gareth at
    Zzonked, Gerald at Nice+Smooth, All at Grand Central and The Prophecy
    Projekt for these…

    The Hits Collection (Electric Souls)
    Cat No: ESCD001. Release Date: 5th September 2005.
    This Disco focused label has finally detonates its first full-length
    offering, which is a buoyant collection of glittering touch ups.
    Hand tested by the electrifying double act responsible for creating
    the fine revisions, these hip shaking cuts have rocked basements,
    secret hideaways and conventional clubs the world over. "Superstar Is
    What U R" sees hope giving vocals glide across sexy keys, clean cut
    percussion and a shaking bass guitar. "Body 2 Body" calls on smiling
    keys, gentle guitar work and a supportive bass to back those adoring
    vocals. "Sometimes" is a stylish guitar led number, with breathed
    keys, fed up vocals and starry-eyed synths. Disco dynamite!

    Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy (Jagjaguwar)
    Cat No: JAG 80. Available Now.
    Inspired by a novel of the same title, "Black Sheep Boy" is a
    heartfelt expose of life from the point of view of one who feels they
    don't fit in. Relaxed compositions and more robust guitar-led songs
    feature on this album, whose musical power is strengthened by main man
    Will Sheff's emotive songwriting. The pent up frustration in the
    guitars is palpable on "For Real", as drums let out angst under
    tortured vocals. "In A Radio Song" sees an eloquent mandolin team up
    with a heart-melting acoustic guitar under raggedy vocals. "So Come
    Back, I Am Waiting" patiently sits, as dour percussion and teary-eyed
    brass heal the wounds. Outstanding.

    V/A – reBOOT: Notes For The Next Generation (Om)
    Release Date: 12th September 2005.
    Put together as a benefits album for LA based but Africa focussed AIDS
    charity NextAid, "reBOOT" takes in a range of downbeat and upbeat
    material from recognised record producers. Whether one should buy a
    CD just because it supports a good cause is a moralistic question, but
    it's fair to say that many record buyers will be tempted to part with
    cash for this album on the strength of the material featured alone.
    Louie Vega's "Steel Congo" places kind-hearted steel drum melodics and
    synth complexities over keyed delicacies and a strong percussion
    section. Kaskade gives us "Samba Love", where honeyed vocals,
    beautiful guitars and strolling percussion meet. Garth & Markie
    Mark's "7 Days With Kayan" charts a week long affair, conducted under
    the watchful eye of absorbed guitars, a portly bass and relaxed
    percussion. Find out more about the reason behind this musically
    sound comp at www.nextaid.org

    Mossyrock – The Zero To One Sessions (Nice+Smooth)
    Available Now.
    The oddly named Mossyrock make fun cruising guitar and silly
    electronix based compositions, whose track titles are only marginally
    more bizarre than the music itself. From the shape of their grooves,
    one might expect them to hail from the West Coast, but the group
    actually formed in Philly and currently reside in Brooklyn.
    "According To The Language Fossils" suggests they were frozen in time
    at an age when stringy guitars and visionary synths ruled the world.
    The charmingly titled "Pissjug" throws electrified keys and synth
    gurgles against sticky beats and bass nastiness. "Stress Kid" takes
    its energy from almost D&B styled percussion, which rattles along
    under wobbly synths and feeling blue keys. Strangely endearing.

    V/A – Underground Crown Holders (Grand Central)
    Cat No: GCCD138. Available Now.
    A host of rapped up numbers and a smattering of scratchadelic cuts
    appear on this archive busting Hip Hop comp from GC. Featuring mainly
    old school Grand Central heads, this CD is for those who were
    originally turned on to the label by the way in which it catered for
    the B boy. "Queen Of My Dreams" sees Low Key tell how he found true
    love, over Tony D's fragile keys and confident drums. QNC boost their
    own confidence with their vocal delivery on Rae & Christian's hazy
    bassed "Anything U Want". Aim calls on YZ to show the importance of
    living for the moment on "Ain't Got Time To Waste", as singing brass,
    a riffing guitarred bass and hitting beats meet in the background.
    This will serve as a timely reminder for those who've forgotten where
    Grand Central came from.

    The Prophecy Projekt – Science Of A Visionary (Prophecy Projekt)
    Available Now.
    This vocally orientated album from the Prophecy Projekt shows that a
    vocoder can still be used effectively, when put in the right hands.
    Occasionally way too whiny, musically stripped back and rather odd in
    places, the major plus point for "Science Of A Visionary" is that it
    stands out from the pack. "Signs In Space" cries out for love, over
    computer game FX crashes, twisted synthetics and sawn-off drums.
    "Sanctuary" loses hope of ever finding such as place, as percussion
    makes a mess and keys bang away until they get hurt. Cutting guitars,
    a grumpy bass and free percussion attempt to keep the faith on "The
    Rising". One of a kind!

    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

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