[acid-jazz] Reviews

From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2004-05-18 11:03:16

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    Jon Freer’s Reviews 16th May 2004.

    Thanks to Jodi Blea, Matthias Heilbronn, Steve at Timewarp, Carina & Nadine at Compost, Sarah at Favouritizm, Lofty at Chillifunk, Matt at Potential Development, Anna at Nudgie Records, Mario Martin at Narada and Nik Weston for these…

    If you’d like a link on the forthcoming links page on www.mosoul.co.uk, then email the address of your website to: jon_at_mosoul.co.uk. The links page will be up soon, so hold tight if you’ve already asked!

    Album & Compilation picks

    V/A – Deep and Sexy 3 Mixed by Matthias ‘Matty’ Heilbronn (Wave)
    Cat No: WM50140-2. Available Now.
    The scene may be awash with money-grabbing trendy House efforts from the likes of Hed Kandi et al, but if you want the real deal in terms of sensuous and sophisticated four-four grooves, then look no further than “Deep and Sexy 3”. Unlike many comps, the music here actually lives up to the title. There may be a slight bias to music on Wave, but that’s hardly a problem, due to the variety and quality on offer. Said’s “To Motherland” is afro-beat for the House generation, courtesy of smooth toned afroid brass, meditating organ keys and Fela inspired rough and ready guitar action. The ‘Original Journey’ of Infinite’s “Distant Plateau” is an epic revitalising instrumental ride, with hypnotic strings, an elegant guitar and synth questions. Matthais’s own ‘II Deep Dub’ of the angelic Hanna Hais’s “Parfum Chic” is wondrously dreamy, with a contemplative piano, reliable percussion and expertly manipulated vocals, where every phrase is eloquently executed. This is an accurate r!
     epresentation of where US inspired House stands today.

    Intuit – Intuit (Compost)
    Cat No: CPT 165-1/2. Release Date: 17th May 2004.
    It’s difficult to listen to this self-titled debut without being ‘into’ at least a few of the tracks. Intuit have created a longplayer that is steeped in both the freeform expression of jazz and funky goodness, as well as being brushed down with a helping of sweet soul and picking up a smattering of electronic ideals on the way. “Fenytola” calls on the talents of Doug Carn, whose reverent organ steals the show on this composition. “The Journey: Pt1 – A New Beginning” is a majestically vocalised offering, with a splashing water-led intro, soaked keys and holding back brass. “O Preguiçoso” is a good-natured little instrumental number, where golden keys, melancholically tinged brass and a spirited flute meet. Yep, I’m ‘into it’.

    Vanessa Freeman – Shades (Chillifunk)
    Cat No: CFCD015. Promo.
    On paper, this was such an exciting prospect; Vanessa’s gutsy vocal performances backed by the midas production touch of Phil ‘Restless Soul’ Asher. On wax, it is as disappointing as realising that girl/guy of your dreams sees you only as a friend, not as a potential lover. The problem is that both vocally and musically, the album covers limited ground. “Show Me”, which appeared on the sampler, is an absolutely outstanding track, but unfortunately it is the only one that really captures the heart and stirs the soul. The combination of regal strings, tear-drop keys and warm guitar drops on this track backs Vanessa’s frustrated action-demanding vocals perfectly. Elsewhere her words don’t have the same impact, even on the bumping and catchy “Cover Me”, technicolor “Shades” or the upbeat “Dawning of a New Day”. Excuse me while I go and drown my sorrows.

    Fingathing – And The Big Red Nebula Band (Grand Central)
    Cat No: GCD 127. Available Now.
    The 2nd full length rocket launching from the band whose cartoon artwork is close to eclipsing that of a fellow Manc doodler and former fine arts student, is packed full with outerplantery breaks-inspired compositions made from a b-boy hip-hopping perspective. Sounding like big beat for the year 4000, the only slight quibble here is regarding their slight over-reliance on the similar sounds and equipment. “Re Animo” pits a spaceship frying bass against glowing alien synths and clippety clop percussion, which is ready for a journey into the unknown. “Bolus” is Martian electronic funk, complete with a drivelling MC, nasty staring bass and starry-eyed strings. “Return To ERT” with its eerie strings and lonesome whistling sounds like the type of music Ennio Morricone would make when he’d been captured by aliens and forced to soundtrack films celebrating an extraterrestrial takeover of the earth! Destined to be a big seller on Mars, and probably here, too.

    Ustad Sultan Khan – Rare Elements (5 Point Records)
    Release Date: 18th May 2004.
    Ustad’s eastern rhythms have been refitted by a diverse array of artists. Most have added their own touch to the compositions, whilst still managing to retain the spirit of the original (Ralphi Rosario is exempt from this generalisation – what happened since “U Used To Hold Me?). Joe Claussell’s ‘Sacred Rhythm Version’ of “Aja Maji” sees intensely vivid keys, quick witted percussion and melting strings combine under the deliciously melodic title vox. “Tarana” has been re-rubbed by the Thievery Corporation, and they’ve created a tasty slow mover, with slovenly percussion, nervous keys and an unapproachable bass. Radar One’s ‘Sad Bachelor Remix’ roughens up “Jana”, courtesy of blunted beats, queasy keys and jumping scratches. East meets West and here their relationship is fine.

    Miles_Gurtu - Miles_Gurtu (EMI/Shakti)
    Available Now.
    Now this has to be one of the oddest musical marriages. ‘Dream House’ (should that read fluffy cotton wool styled trance with a four-four) popstar Robert Miles (remember him?) hooks up with eastern composer Trilok Gurtu for some experimental compostions, where more often than not we find Mike Patto of Reel People fame turning up on Moog, Rhodes etc. “Loom” slowly makes its way into your consciousness, courtesy of fragile keys, spat percussion and a live bass with a mind of its own. “Inductive” is a creepy cut, with ghostly keys, a crabby digitised bass and a stripped bare double bass. “Xenon” is an elfin but perfectly formed beauty of an outro, where a fine Rhodes, delectable bass and woobling moog link arms in friendship. Approach with caution!

    Singles selection

    Fenomenon – Time (Beatservice Records)
    Cat No: BS 075. Release Date: 14th June 2004.
    Responsible for a couple of tasty twelves on the sadly now defunct Nuphonic imprint a while back, this Norwegian pairing get the remix treatment from fine vocalist and producer Jonatan Bäckelie aka Ernesto, and the wonderfully named Snorre Sein, who thankfully doesn’t put the listener to sleep! Ernesto’s ‘Emotional Memory Remix’ has the flavour of the Bugz transported to Nordic waters, as weightless chords and analogue bass nastiness back incredibly fragile vocals. Snorre’s re-rub scatters percussion under a moving bass, abstract key touches and brutal synthed-up chords. Two conventional yet rewarding remixes.

    Malkin Zany – Driva’ Man’ (Homebrew/April Records)
    Cat No: APR068T. Release Date: 14th June 2004.
    Unearthed by the consistent Danish April imprint, Malkin Zany offer kooky jazz for floors partial to beats with power behind them. The original is a slow beaten cymbal-laced number, with a rubbery bass, muted trumpet and jazzed vox. B&B International is probably not a convention for the owners of Bed & Breakfasts, but a remix duo, their revision is a wobbly guitar and heavy bass addled affair. The Varano re-rub is a speedy version, with lovely keys, down there bass and guitar madness. Djosos Krost finishes off the remixes with help from a contorted guitar and a silly bass.

    Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_wrongsteps.com)
    reviewer and writer for the following
    websites and magazines: Blues & Soul Magazine,
    FACT Magazine,littleplanet.net, City Life Magazine,
    XLR8R Magazine, Keep On Magazine, Exposed Magazine,
    pitchadjust.com,
    beyondjazz.net, Store Records(Sheffield),
    cratertechnology.com,
    deephousenetwork.com, offitsface.com, Sandman mag,
    funk-me.com,
    Vanguard online, quadrastate.co.uk,
    beats.to,
    universalsource.co.uk,
    Inner Loop Magazine, housemuziq.com, undergroundhouse.net, worlddj.com,
    mosoul.co.uk, discotribe.net, flygarictracks.com,
    skansen.no, nwdnb.co.uk
    planetsoulnetwork.com
    allaboutdj.com
    mundovibes.com
    clubbity.com
    audioharvest.org...
    Testpress-Announce Yahoo Group
    Deepness Yahoo-Group
    Housemuziq Private Yahoo Group
    Writer for:
    Brique Rouge, Exceptional Records,
    Foreplay Recordings,
    Robsoul Recordings, Dust Traxx,
    Spiritual Life Music and more...

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