From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-12-24 18:00:49
Seasons greetings and best wishes for 2005 to all.
Jon Freer’s Reviews 24th December 2004.
Album & compilation selection:
Franck Roger – In My Mind (Straight Up Records)
Laurent Garnier – The Cloud Making Machine (F Communications/PIAS)
V/A – Northern Jazz Southern Soul (Slip’n’Slide)
Kings Of Tomorrow – Trouble (Defected)
Gecko Turner – Guapapasea (Lovemonk)
Josh One – Narrow Path (Myutopia)
Thanks to Vincent at Brick Music Promotion, Isabel at PIAS, Jonas at Kickin’, Nicky & Jo at Phuturetrax, Steve at Timewarp and Lucy at Elemental Consulting for these…
Franck Roger – In My Mind (Straight Up Records)
Cat No: SUP2024. Release Date: 23rd January 2005.
Technically this is actually a compilation of singles and not a ‘proper’ first album from French house sensation Franck Roger. Combining deftly orchestrated sample-based instrumental numbers and emotion calling vocal outings, “In The Mind” reeks of the soul-infused House vibe that Franck has become famous for. The Needs revision of “Love Symphony” is a luxurious deeper ode, with honest organ chords, clipped percussion and vocals from Karl The Voice that have been lifted by the power of love. “Mambo” has a wonderful infectious vibe, courtesy of sizzling synth action and a carefully watching bass. Shade Of Soul’s retool of “If I” is an involving romantic escapade, where deeply concerned keys, a melodic bass and vocals that are after commitment combine. Not every vocal escapade is quite up to the standard of “If I”, but there’s some excellent material on this collection from Franck who could easily be the deeper-thinking cousin of DJ Gregory.
Laurent Garnier – The Cloud Making Machine (F Communications/PIAS)
Cat No: F211CD. Release Date: 24th January 2005.
Listeners looking forward to another Techno based longplayer from Garnier will be mightily disappointed. This outing from Laurent is a moody cinematic epic that shows his ability to convey emotions regardless of the type of musical putty he chooses to use. “9.01-9.06” is an affecting number, with crashing percussion, shadow casting strings and a flourish of strings. “Barbiturik Blues” features the talented Bugge Wesseltoft, who provides clever keys that join heaving dub-like percussion and incredibly bluesy guitars on a smoked-out groover. “Jeux D’Enfant” looks at the world in a child-like manner, with playground type conversation snatches, melancholic strings and hyperactive beats. This is more challenging on the ears than most of Laurent’s previous material but is worth tracking down for those who relish a demanding listen.
V/A – Northern Jazz Southern Soul (Slip’n’Slide)
Cat No: SLIPCD184. Release Date: 14th February 2005.
You can tell that Slip’n’Slide value the music they use on their numerous compilations more than say someone like Hed Kandi, who simply put together albums of material that they know will sell by the bucket load. Some of the concepts Slip’n’Slide use are often a bit odd, (“Northern Jazz Southern Soul” can be read as soul and jazz influenced grooves of any tempo,) but they always supply some killer cuts, and this album is no exception. Lonnie Liston Smith’s “Expansions” sounds as awesome as ever, courtesy of that rugged bassline, touched by love strings and caring vocals. The Blak Beat Niks supply “Paradise”, where Mayfield (?) type loved up vocals proclaim being in the company of a chosen companion as heavenly over loveable strings and syrupy strings. The moody J.A.N.’s revision of Amp Fiddler’s “Superficial” is a jaded slice of motor city housed up soul, with persistent beats, honest tear-stained vocals and funked to the eyeballs keys. Not every track is a winner here,!
but the duff ones are heavily outweighed by the top quality tracks.
Kings Of Tomorrow – Trouble (Defected)
Cat No: TROUBLE01CD. Release Date: February 2005.
As expected “Trouble” is a shiny polished collection of mostly ‘big room’ House stormers. Creatively, Sandy Rivera has shown that he’s got more ideas than many others who make glammed up house, whilst his reliance on ‘real’ instruments and synthesizers as opposed to samplers is welcome. That said the range of sounds on the album is still relatively narrow. “Changes” talks of how life is rarely straightforward, as a menacing bass hooks up with kind-hearted keys and measured beats. “Another Day” is a hung up vocal outing, with graceful synths, spirit lifting keys and supple bass. “London Fog” uses a misted bassline, worried synths and fizzing beats to create an opaque soundscape. There are some special moments on this album, but unfortunately none of the tracks here catch the downright emotionality of “Finally”, Sandy’s finest hour to date.
Gecko Turner – Guapapasea (Lovemonk)
Cat No: LMNK01. Release Date: 10th January 2005.
“Guapapasea” is an amusing voyage into Nu-Latin music. It is silly due to the vocals Gecko insists on using but is also an accomplished album, due to his skills as a producer. “How Come You Do Me Like You Do Me? (Big Bang Romeo)” is a smooth number, with a silky guitar, graceful trumpet and questioning vocals. Gecko’s version of “Rainbow Country” is surprisingly endearing, courtesy of its clapped percussion, easy going vocals and guitars played with a great deal of colour. Watch TV’s version of “45,000$ (Guapa Pasea)” is suitably relaxed, as a wooing sax and hearty live bass meet over a stoned dubby bass. Bien
Josh One – Narrow Path (Myutopia)
Promo.
Josh shot to fame after King Britt sprinkled gold dust onto “Contemplation” and turned it into a stomping house track. “Narrow Path” shares the same emotional intensity as the King’s revision of “Contemplation” (the original is on this album), but that is where the similarities end. This is an album of solid slow beat grooves, which operate in a completely different sphere to that of clubfloor House. “Day Dreamer” is an absorbed number, with plump beats, beautiful keys and an ever-moving bass. “Grey Skies” hypnotises, courtesy of a spellbinding flute, which is backed by sluggish beats and a burly bass. The title track uses true acoustic guitars, serene strings and reflective beats to create a pondering number. This is Josh’s real sound, and despite the fact that there are some accomplished tracks here, this album is unlikely to see him reach the same heights as the remixed “Contemplation” did.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
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