[acid-jazz] Reviews

From: Jon Freer (jon-freer_at_excite.com)
Date: 2005-09-11 22:43:52

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    Jon Freer’s Reviews – 11th September 2005.

     

    Singles:

    Panoptikum feat. Blue Eyez – Black Land Of The Nile (Déjà vu)

    Sun Ra Tribute – Stardust From Tomorrow (Déjà Vu)

    Gum Drop – Sinking Vibes (Altered Vibes)

    Jamie Finlay – Little Trumpet (Wah Wah 45s)

    Lost Idol – Chip Funk (Dr. Rubberfunk RMX) (Cookshop)

    Overtone – Give It Again (Redbud)

    Mark E – Scared/One Way - Your Way (Jiscomusic)

    Basement Jaxx – Do Your Thing 2005 (XL)

    Audiomontage – Naughty Neighbour (Freerange)

    Put It On – The Hidden Track (True To Form)

    Def1 – She Was (Lossol Entertainment)

    Speedy feat. Lumidee – Sientelo (Positiva)

    V/A – Sabai Sunsets (Altura)

    Snap Ant – Grumpy Nymph (Invicta Hi-Fi)

     

    Thanks to Nik W, Lucius at Outpost Media, Jamie Finlay, Dom Servini, Ben BKS, Distinct Music, Jiscomusic, Ruth at Toast Press, Matt at Freerange, Matt at Cause & Effect, Lossol Entertainment, Matt at Alchemy PR, David from Sabai and Charles at Zzonked for these…

     

    Panoptikum feat. Blue Eyez – Black Land Of The Nile (Déjà vu)

    Cat No: DJV 3000006. Release Date: 31st October 2005

    Dripping with nu-jazzy righteousness comes this inspirational cover of a little known saintly jazz ode to the Pharaoh’s homeland, originally composed by Masequa and Jami Ayinde. Panoptikum, better known as two thirds of the Les Gammes outfit, have produced three versions of this timeless jazz number. The A side contains an epic two part version, where tender keys and relaxed percussion give way to striding beats and dancing keys. ‘Black Nile’ is a gorgeous key led broken beat instrumental, whilst the final version sees the majestic keys and walking percussion meet behind Blue’s admiring vocals.

     

    Sun Ra Tribute – Stardust From Tomorrow (Déjà Vu)

    Cat No: DJV 3000007. Release Date: 31st October 2005

    Jazz Deity Sun Ra’s “Stardust From Tomorrow” gets shining 21st century makeovers from those with a nu-er take on proceedings. Yannah’s mix sees neat guitars, smiling brass and steady broken percussion back vocals taking a positive outlook on life. Italian Jazz leader Gerardo Frisina supplies a couple of revisions, where tear-soaked keys and beautiful brass combine wonderfully.

     

    Gum Drop – Sinking Vibes (Altered Vibes)

    Cat No: AVR016. Release Date: 10th October 2005.

    Lo-fi nu hop soul is the best way to label this wonderful debut from Gum Drop, a project headed by vocalist Randolph Matthews. “Sinking Feeling” awaits destiny, as lopsided slow stepping beats, hopeful keys and a sprawling bass back Randolph’s soft vocals. “(Keeps On) Burning” smokes nicely, courtesy of a grinning bass, madcap keys and praising vocals. There are instrumental versions of both tracks, presumably for those unimpressed by Matthews’ sweet delivery.

     

    Jamie Finlay – Little Trumpet (Wah Wah 45s)

    Mr. Finlay shows he can kick it with the established forward-thinking jazz fraternity on “Little Trumpet”, which is his first offering for the hot Wah Wah 45s imprint. Logically, a beautiful trumpeting chorus is the linchpin of the track, with fattened beats and pressurizing strings also playing an important role. A name to watch…

     

    Lost Idol – Chip Funk (Dr. Rubberfunk RMX) (Cookshop)

    Cat No: CKS 07. Release Date: 10th October 2005.

    Cookshop’s musical menu contains many bland dishes and only a few to really tantalise the musical tastebuds. Thankfully, kitchen wiz Dr. Rubberfunk has managed to rescue the bass stumbling “Chip Funk”, by whacking it back in the oven and turning up the heat by a gas mark or two. Lazing drum action, a light-hearted guitarred bass and off-colour keys link up on the Dr’s yummy reheating.

     

    Overtone – Give It Again (Redbud)

    Cat No: RB-009. UK Release Date: 19th September 2005.

    Redbud serves up a Raggary Dubbed up meal in the shape of “Give It Again” from Lithuanian Paulius Kilbauskas. The original gets its strength from a vicious grimy bass, which underpins nimble beats and encouraging vocals, whilst the ‘Dither Down Mix’ is a shaken guitar driven mission. Inverse Cinematics offer a fuzzy bass mix with flailing keys and thrown drums, as the ‘Dublicate Dub It Again Mix’ inverts the vocals and drags out the beats over a lazy bass.

     

    Mark E – Scared/One Way - Your Way (Jiscomusic)

    Cat No: Jiscomusic 003. Promo

    The Womacks and Al Hudson get retreated and extended in an epic fashion on the third instalment of Jiscomusic’s puzzling re-edit series. “Scared” places Womack & Womack’s loved up vocals over staring keys, a purring bass and sparkling guitars. “One Way – Your Way” sees wavy guitars, beaming keys and well-behaved guitars team up alongside mesmerised vocals.

     

    Basement Jaxx – Do Your Thing 2005 (XL)

    Release Date: 26th September 2005.

    The Jaxx update “Do Your Thing” for 2005 and find their effort surpassed by revisions from Seiji and Gadjo. The Brixton cellar dwellers own ‘Jaxx Club Remixx’ gets an energetic trumpet to dance around the room, backed by a frothy bass and frisky keys. Seiji’s business meaning version forces bounced beats to batter a bug eyed bass and acidy keys whose insides leak all over the floor. Gadjo supplies a tougher mix, with smacked beats, a scowling bass and the expected splurge of acid.

     

    Audiomontage – Naughty Neighbour (Freerange)

    Cat No: FR 060. Release Date: 26th September 2005.

    This Audiomontage monikered offering from Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell should keep Freerange House fans happy. “Naughty Neighbour” is a groovacious little number, with fx laden spacey synths, a bubbling bass and warm keys. “Vision 2 Vision” is an impolitely beaten and stretched out synth driven number, as an elegant flutist adds a level of sophistication to the EP on “Junglism”.

     

    Put It On – The Hidden Track (True To Form)

    Cat No: TTF 002. Release Date: 3rd October 2005.

    Induceve duo Dave Taylor and Jesses Rose go hell for leather on this angry release for Sharen Norden’s True To Form imprint. Synth twiddles and feathery key touches give brightness to a track driven by hard hitting beats and a monstrous bass. Justin Maxwell provides a gruesome version where a nasty bass and stubby beats work the groove, with Jesse’s ‘Made To Play Edit’ adding an extra spring to the beats and submerging the synths in water.

     

    Def1 – She Was (Lossol Entertainment)

    Release Date: 19th September 2005.

    Darius Ellington Forde opens his account under the name Def1, with a tribute to a former squeeze. Golden-tinted brass, opulent strings and stolen soul vocals back Def1’s narrative about the older lady he adored.

     

    Speedy feat. Lumidee – Sientelo (Positiva)

    Cat No: CDTIVDJ223. Available Now.

    After a few years of bubbling away on the underground to the ignorance of trend hungry press, it seems like the time has well and truly come for Reggaethon. The energy of the firing drums, measured keys and explosive vocals of “Sientelo” mean that Speedy might follow Daddy Yankee into the mainstream. The ‘Motivo Mix’ features both kettledrum and low down percussion, which runs along under darting keys and desireful vocals. Curtis Lynch’s rehashes bounce the beats alongside funny horns, well-behaved strings and a roughened bass.

     

    V/A – Sabai Sunsets (Altura)

    Cat No: SOCHILLED 01. Available Now.

    Sabai is a refreshing wine and hibiscus based alcoholic beverage, which is gentle on the tastebuds and rather calming. “Sabai Sunsets” is a sumptuous blend of horizontal tracks selected by globally aware chilling bigwig Pathaan. Ranging from a barely mobile opener to a patient D&B closing track, this five-track taster acts as a showcase for Pathaan’s compilation series on Altura as well a PR tool for Sabai. Staying the exciting side of relaxed music, highlights come in the form of Crazy Penis’ demonstrative strings driven “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” and Hawke’s carefully keyed “Mass”.

     

    Snap Ant – Grumpy Nymph (Invicta Hi-Fi)

    Cat No: LIQ 028. Release Date: 24th October 2005.
    This creepy crawly producer’s name is a little odd and his music is also strange. Bypass the violently percussed title track in favour of “The Cavaliers”, where all-powerful guitars envelop all that stands in their way.

    Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
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