From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-11-27 19:27:43
Jon Freer’s Reviews – 27th November 2005.
Singles:
Ski – Heavenly (Yam Who Mix) / New Orleans Under Attack (BBE)
The Beauty Room – Don’t You Know? (New Religion)
Unknown – Re-Edits Vol 2 (White)
Unknown – Re-Edits Vol 3 (White)
Astrocats – Back 2 Tha Playground (Darkroom Dubs)
Jamie Anderson – Short Stories (Fixia)
C-Soul – Feel It (On The House)
Blacksoul – I Got Soul (Deepfunk)
Shitdisco – Disco Blood (Fierce Panda)
Undo – Believe Me (Sistema & Vicknoise Remix) (Factor City)
Thanks to Lee B at BBE, Tim at Piccadilly, Baz at New Religion, Those responsible for those mysterious re-edits, Jim & Caroline at Soma, Jamie Anderson, Tom & Magnus at On The House, Craig at Deepfunk, Will at InHouse and All at Factor City for these…
Ski – Heavenly (Yam Who Mix) / New Orleans Under Attack (BBE)
Release Date: TBC.
Swashbuckling neo soul doyens Yam Who are drafted in and send “Heavenly” higher, however, this record is also worth purchasing for the inclusion of the angerful “New Orleans Under Attack”. Hammering pots and pans type percussion, twinkling keys and a relaxed bass back ecstatic vocals on Yam Who’s retooling of “Heavenly”. “New Orleans Under Attack” sees wrathful chords, teary strings and spoken vocals, frustrated at the government’s slow response to a horrendous act of nature, combine on this captivating House odyssey.
The Beauty Room – Don’t You Know? (New Religion)
Cat No: REG 119. Available Now.
New Religion continues their Vanity Project series, where forgotten gems from yesteryear get a post-millennial update. Hefner’s version of “Don’t You Know?” gives the track a much-needed energetic refit, as sliced strings, coasting strings and messed up vocals slide over a warbling bass.
Unknown – Re-Edits Vol 2 (White)
Available Now.
These days, we seem to be awash with rehaulings of one type or another, and this mysterious twelve takes tracks by prime candidate James Brown and the lesser retouched David Bowie that bit further. Brown’s “Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved)” entices, courtesy of feel good keys, condensed brass and a funkin’ bass. Bowie’s “Golden Years” is give subtler treatment, as guitars go round in circles and the drums apply just enough pressure.
Unknown – Re-Edits Vol 3 (White)
Available Now.
American Gypsy and the wonderful Erykah Badu get stylishly rejigged on this 12”, which is a cut above the previous volume. Limping along beats, a flea bitten flute and well turned out guitars back those concerned vocals on the great reinvention of Badu’s “Bag Lady”. Dazzling strings and a furious bass guitar do the work on American Gypsy’s “Inside Out”.
Astrocats – Back 2 Tha Playground (Darkroom Dubs)
Cat No: DRD010. Available Now.
Silicone Soul don the Astrocats guise for this outing on their own Darkroom Dubs imprint, but their straight-laced original is blown out of the water by the theatrical Drama Society. A grey synth mist envelopes the Drama Soc’s mix, as zombie keys, a stumbling bass and jolting stabs attempt to find a route through the synthetic fog.
Jamie Anderson – Short Stories (Fixia)
Cat No: Fixia 001. Release Date: December 2005.
Jamie Anderson’s Fixia label begins with a bang in the shape of an engrossing no-nonsense four tracker. “Back Then” watches gleaming keys and appeased synths meet over a vile bass and straight forward percussive rhythmics. “Open Your Mind” is an impassioned acid-steeped number, whereas “Food For Thought” sees hell raising synths run amok. “More Or Less” finishes proceedings, as open-minded keys groove alongside hardnosed beats and an energetic bass.
C-Soul – Feel It (On The House)
Cat No: 001. Release Date: TBC.
Magnus Asberg and Jimmy Day bring forth the first outing on On The House, and unsurprisingly, it’s a powerful four tracker of dancefloor bothering House. “Feel It” glides playful keys and flying synths over pumped beats and a strong bass, whereas Lo-Motion’s revision places energetic keys over a sturdy bass. “Trippin’” is clean-cut acidy floater, whilst “I Want Your Love” is a desperate synth fuelled Houser, and unfortunately not a cover of a Chic record.
Blacksoul – I Got Soul (Deepfunk)
Available Now.
Bumpin’ Housers Deepfunk return with Blacksoul’s bad-tempered “I Got Soul”. On the original version, flippant vocals ride wind-whistling synths, heel dragging bass and bangin’ beats. Alex MC’s ‘Sprayfonk Remix’ is a smartly synthed reinvention, whilst a grouchy bass and weak keys meet on JT Donaldson’s remix.
Shitdisco – Disco Blood (Fierce Panda)
Cat No: ning 175cd. Available Now.
Instead of making below par disco as their name suggests, Shitdisco actually produce electrocutingly focused guitar and drum driven compositions. Jerky drums, guitar complications and rough edged vox meet on “Disco Blood”, which gets a demented overhaul from Clor. “I Know Kung Fu” places clashy-sing-shout-shrieking poncy vocals over knife stab drums and deadly guitar work, and the ‘Konx-om-pax Remix’ is a little crazier.
Undo – Believe Me (Sistema & Vicknoise Remix) (Factor City)
Cat No: FC013. Available Now.
Undo ask the listeners to trust them, but it’s only really the Sistema & Vicknoise Remix that really convinces. Poking beats, a snarling bass and slavering synths do the work on this fine retouch.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Freelance journalist.
Publications include -
Keep On Magazine
Blues & Soul Magazine
City Life Magazine
Blowback Magazine
Rant Magazine
cratertech.com
pitchadjust.com
manchesterunderground.com
beyondjazz.net
mundovibes.net
deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
radiozerogravity.net
_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!