From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-10-12 23:40:53
Jon Freer’s Reviews – 12th October 2005.
Singles:
V/A – Love Dubs (Lovemonk)
Opolopo – Theme From Hot Spot (Sick Trumpet)
Ernesto – Blame It On Your Melody (Exceptional)
Alex Smoke – Lost In Sound (Soma)
Only Freak – Can’t Get Away (From Your Love) (Freerange)
Zoo Brazil – Wasp Not Wasp (Cartridge)
NoTenshun – Traffic EP (Chillifunk)
The Blacknificent Seven – ‘Ere Comes Da Black (Dark Horizon)
A Skills & Krafty Kuts – Freshtraxxx Sampler (Finger Lickin’)
Boston Rodriguez – Where’s The Party? (Little League)
Thanks to Spacey at Rude Movements, Ste Hodge, Phat Phil Cooper, Luke & Tash at Exceptional, Jim & Caroline at Soma, Matt at Freerange, Anders at Cartridge, Lofty & Gavin at Chillifunk, Lucius at The Outpost and Chris & Anton at Trailer…
V/A – Love Dubs (Lovemonk)
Cat No: LMNKV12. Available Now.
Lovemonk have been fairly consistent of late, and this triplet of fine re-rubs isn’t going to do the label’s reputation any harm. John Arnold’s rhythmic broken dub of the Mojo Project’s “In My Life” sees dancing beats underpin smiley keys and agreeable synth work. Greg Gauthier & Tony L give the Soul Vigilantes’ “Shy” extra house bite, courtesy of breezy keys, old school clapped percussion and familiar bass work. Kiko Navarro’s ‘Koki Solutions Dub’ of the Mojo Project’s “Tell Me Why” is a powerful deeper House number, with bang bang bang beats, rising synths and keys that you can count on.
Opolopo – Theme From Hot Spot (Sick Trumpet)
Cat No: St 001. Available Now.
This Liverpool based club night takes its first foray into the world of releasing records with a brill dancefloor bound 7”. “Theme From Hot Pot” is the housier of the two and an all round smile-athon, with grinning synths, beaming keys and incredulous strings. “Closed Circuit” watches optimistic keys, running percussion and wide-eyed strings link up.
Ernesto – Blame It On Your Melody (Exceptional)
Cat No: exec 56. Release Date: 31st October 2005.
Despite his recent relocation to Birmingham, Ernesto’s music still has an icy Scandinavian stare, alongside a wonderful electronic warmth. None of these mixes of “Blame It On Your Melody” top the ‘Prelude’ version, which was released on a 7” a good while back, but Unai and Yukihiro Fukuotomi have done a good job. Yukihiro comes out on top, with a couple of jumping percussive versions, where gratifying keys and a weighty bass pack the requisite punch. Unai’s remix places a mean bass, hard hitting beats and meandering keys under those honest vocals. The album version is also included, where messed up keys, sad synths and a portly bass meet.
Alex Smoke – Lost In Sound (Soma)
Cat No: SOMA 184. Available Now.
Wow, Vector Lovers have really come up with the goods on this occasion. Their revision of Smoke’s “Lost In Sound” is a flurry of squealing keys, jacked up beats and fuzzy synths. Alex’s own minimal synth-driven ‘Casita Verde’ version is a bit dull by comparison.
Only Freak – Can’t Get Away (From Your Love) (Freerange)
Cat No: FR 061. Release Date: October 2005.
Only Freak aka Spirit Catcher get on the discoey House tip with this outing for Freerange. A cover of a Carol Williams track from the early 80s, classy keys and squeezed synths dominate the original version. Solid Groove’s revision is a typically harder-nosed mix, with slamming beats, gloriously happy synths and a smile-inducing bassline. Also included is an overflowing synthathon entitled “Viper Vapour”.
Zoo Brazil – Wasp Not Wasp (Cartridge)
Cat No: Cte 009. Available Now.
Zoo Brazil show the rest of the pack how to make an acidic revivalist cut with this excitable release on Cartridge. “Wasp Not Wasp” is the standout, courtesy of buzzing synths, running forward beats and a dependable bassline. “Face The Music” is a more subdued affair, with worried keys, smart beats and tripped out synth lines.
NoTenshun – Traffic EP (Chillifunk)
Cat No: 12CF076. Available Now.
NoTenshun make another EP of their harder edged deeper grooves available to the vinyl buying public. “Zulu” is a sturdily beaten number with an evil bassline and mithering synths, whereas “About Nothin’” is a robotically keyed stormer. “Crush It Up” takes its strength from pacey beats, and “Ama-zone” is a fizzing synthed tribally percussed number.
The Blacknificent Seven – ‘Ere Comes Da Black (Dark Horizon)
Available Now.
Featuring respected artists such as Roots Manuva, Rodney P and Est’elle, the Blacknificent 7 is a rather impressive UK Hip Hop supergroup. “’Ere Comes Da Black” sees the crew go in for a bit of self-promotion, over sturdy synths and stern beats. “Mrs. Onda’syde” tries to figure out the set-up of relationship, backed by saucy keys and hardy beats.
A Skills & Krafty Kuts – Freshtraxxx Sampler (Finger Lickin’)
Cat No: FLR 056. Available Now.
A couple of cuts from Finger Lickin’s new showcase of party breaks and hop get the single outing. “Tricka Technology” as remixed by Ed Funk is stuttery vocalised and thumpingly beaten number, where groovin’ guitars run riot. The superior “Ain’t It Funky” gets retouched by the Fort Knox Five, with those vocals paying tribute to ‘funk’ over lifting guitars, squashed saxes and a murky bass. Dub versions are also included for those who can’t stomach the vocals.
Boston Rodriguez – Where’s The Party? (Little League)
Cat No: LL1209. Release Date: 24th October 2005.
An unashamed feel good party track, “Where’s The Party?” will seem a little childish for certain turntables. Thankfully, those who can’t stomach those stupid vocals should be appeased by the instrumental, where D&B style beats, Sex In the City style vibraphone keys and partying brass groove along nicely.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
*Website: www.mosoul.co.uk.
*Freelance journalist.
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Keep On Magazine
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cratertech.com
pitchadjust.com
manchesterunderground.com
beyondjazz.net
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deephousenetwork.com
skansen.no
radiozerogravity.net
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