Jon Freer's Reviews 15th March 2006.
Singles:
The Electrons Get Up EP (Genuine)
Jazztronik Cannibal Rock EP (Especial Distribution)
Maxine Braham If
(Blackbeard Remixes) (BKO)
Reel People feat. Angela Johnson In The Sun (Defected)
Incognito Show Me Love (Yam Who Remix) (Dome)
Gnarls Barkley Crazy (Downtown)
Palm Skin Productions Year Of The Muppet EP (Freerange)
Masa Collective Love Is Everywhere (Especial)
Tunng Woodcat (Full Time Hobby)
Spank Rock Sweet Talk (Big Dada)
Aim Northwest (Atic)
Shur-I-Kan Vs Milton Jackson Special Powers EP (Freerange)
V/A Colours Series: Red 03 Sampler (Freerange)
0898dave Ballad Of Henry (Heart & Soul)
Anonymous Twist Royal Flush (Do Right!)
Keith Back Then (Lucky Number)
Ben Burns The Answer (Stompa Phunk)
Sistema Parque de Atracciones EP (Factor City)
Mattafix To & Fro (Chicken Lips RMX) (Buddhist Punk)
Thanks to all the people that sent me these records
Electrons Get Up EP (Genuine)
Cat No: GEN024T. Release Date: 10th April 2006.
After a decade of re-writing Mcr's clubbing rulebook with enthralling subterranean parties that have been soundtracked by unapologetically positive soul-kissed musica, it was about time The Unabombers translated the emotional rush of an Electric Chair visit onto vinyl. Justin's been knocking out Only Child releases since the invigorating party was in its infancy and a number of official UB's remixes and hush hush re-edits have surfaced over the years, but this is the first proper single from the duo. "Get Up" sums up the smiling face of the UBs endeavours, courtesy of some ripping 'funk' chords, temperature raising synths and huge beats that are appease open minded dancefloors. "Sunshine Love" is a gorgeous weather infatuated number, which represents the duo's ability to connect with their listeners on a deeper musical level, as those dreamy keys soar over your head and the brass send electric shocks down your spine.
Jazztronik Cannibal Rock EP (Especial Distribution)
Cat No: ESPD-011. Available Now.
Mr Samurai returns with a skilful assault on jazzier dancefloors. Head straight for "Cannibal Rock", a monstrous flute episode, with wooden sounding percussion, beaming keys and beauty exclaiming vocals. "Dentro De Min" places Flora Purim's flowery vocals over prying for answers chords, romance-filled keys and pots and pans percussion. "Beeping" is a slightly too respectful West London inspired broken stormer, where shape pulling bass and crazy Martian synths have all the fun, whilst Rob Gallagher guests on an outlaw tale entitled "South Of The Border".
Maxine Braham If
(Blackbeard Remixes) (BKO)
Promo. Release Date: TBC.
Moving from nearly horizontal neo soul to walking pace broken ragga hop, Blackbeard gives Maxine Braham a couple of impressive touch ups. The vocal version slides her lovestuck in between smiling synths and a bass that applies pressure in all the right spots. Grinning synths, tightly gripping string and a steppin' along bass show their unrequited affection on the Dub.
Reel People feat. Angela Johnson In The Sun (Defected)
Cat No: DFTD 124. Available Now.
One of the People's newest cuts gets a single outing and an awesome refix from spiritual House master Osunlade. Frustration led beats, a still hurting bass and keys with a sense of hope collide on his priestlinesses' tough yet still emotive 'Yoruba Soul Dub'. There's a lighter 'Yoruba Soul Remix', where placating keys and touching guitars dwell and an ass kicking synthilating retouch from Spen's Muthafunkaz, but check Osunlade's dub for maximum gratification.
Incognito Show Me Love (Yam Who Remix) (Dome)
Cat No: 12DOME209. Available Now.
Here, the swashbuckling nu-soulers give fellow Londoners and celebrated acied jazzers Incognito a surprisingly uptempo relick. Broken House kit percussion sets the pace, with flying brass and eccentric chords dancing alongside some desireful vocals.
Gnarls Barkley Crazy (Downtown)
Cat No: PR302165. Promo.
The work of vocalist Cee-Lo and much admired knob twiddler Danger Mouse, this catchy little number has caused a fuss in underground circles for a while and is set to blow up after a serious amount of overground airplay. It's difficult not to be drawn in by the breezy Motown-esque harmonies, barely visible guitars and sanity questioning vocals of "Crazy". The other track to make the single release is the loopy "Go Go Gadget Gospel", where frantic beats dance under praisin' vox, loveable brass and silly whistlin'.
Palm Skin Productions Year Of The Muppet EP (Freerange)
Cat No: FR071. Release Date: 10th April 2006.
Palm Skin save the best for last on this release for Jimpster's Freerange imprint. Easy to love keys link up with fear allaying guitars behind airy vocals on the spellbinding final track, entitled "Love Will Go".
Masa Collective Love Is Everywhere (Especial)
Cat No: ESP-017. Release Date: 3rd April 2006.
Saxaholic Masa Nakamura and friends revisit Pharaoh Sanders' "Love Is Everywhere" in a heart-warming style. KJM give it an energetic Housey overhaul, with huge percussive thwacks, hoarse saxonics and loved up keys.
Tunng Woodcat (Full Time Hobby)
Cat No: FTH020. Release Date: 24th April 2006.
Folktronic stars Tunng might really piss off purists with their love of electronic gloop, but they make some damn fine digitised folksie tunes. "Woodcat" is a tale of losing one's love to nature, backed by river running guitars and a barely visible bass. The 'edit' sees electronified jolts encase the washing guitars and hurting vocals.
Spank Rock Sweet Talk (Big Dada)
Cat No: BD092. Release Date: 3rd April 2006.
The risquι butt slapper returns with another coarse tale. The original is a bit on the lean side, however, Kalbata's nauseating synth driven retake and the funny ass saxed 'XXChange Re-Edit' should get the juices flowing. "Primetime" is a bonus smack on the jaw from pushy beats and strung out keys.
Aim Northwest (Atic)
Cat No: ATIC 02. Release Date: 27th March 2006.
After an introductory four tracker featuring Niko's outstanding "Womb", the Atic wheels are set into motion properly with this two track single from Aim. Tabla edged beats and a velvety bass back grinning keys on "Northwest". Western guitars, natural strings and percussion have a fantastical shoot out whilst "Walking Home Through The Park"
Shur-I-Kan Vs Milton Jackson Special Powers EP (Freerange)
Cat No: FR070. Release Date: 28th March 2006.
Only a month after their last outing, Shur & Milton return to Freerange for another fat House attack. The best cut on this EP is Jackson's second remix of "I Want It", where key chords rise over dark bass suggestions and hard hittin' beats. The title track is an exceedingly heavy multicolour synth driven House workout, that's not quite on a par with "I Want it".
V/A Colours Series: Red 03 Sampler (Freerange)
Cat No: FR067. Available Now.
Freerange don't know how to apply the brakes, but that isn't a huge problem as they release some wonderful tunes. This EP starts with Troydon's sprawling sax covered "Close Your Eyes", before moving on to Shur-I-Kan's oddly synthed and downwardly spiralling chorded "Everytime". At peace vocal doodles, empowering chords and glum synths meet on King Kooba's fine "Kin Ki Utsuri", as magical synths do the tricks on Kirk DeGiorgio's "Armchair Thriller".
0898dave Ballad Of Henry (Heart & Soul)
Cat No: HAS003EP. Available Now.
Phone line smooth talker 0898dave gets the once over from Homelife and ACR. Likeable synth ramblings get the better of all else on Homelife's revision of "Ballad Of Henry", whilst ACR's mix of "Plug On" is a lean guitar covered bass groover. As expected, the chiming glockenspiel is king on "Glockrock".
Anonymous Twist Royal Flush (Do Right!)
Cat No: DR014. Release Date: 27th March 2006.
Over the years, many rappers have enthralled and bored us with their truthful and fictionalised tales of selling and using recreational drugs. Twist is different from the draw and coke sellers, as he's actually a legit pharmacist and could rap about dispensing aspirins and flu medicine, but chooses against it. Instead he raps about playing cards over blinding guitars on "Royal Flush" and carries on about cash on the accordion touched "Dollars In Fist".
Keith Back Then (Lucky Number)
Release Date: 15th May 2006.
We live in sadly blinkered times when embracing various types of music is not seen as the norm. Keith are wayward indie kids with open ears, who still seem to be causing a furore because they're happy to name check the likes of Luke Vibert and Jazztronik alongside Little Barrie and Tom Vek. They still make an ear appeasing guitar based sound, shown by the charming "Back There", where Oli's melancholic vocals are surrounded by gravely bass work and positive guitars. We could have done without Keith's moody chorded version of "La Ritournelle" though; they should know never to mess with such a beautiful original.
Ben Burns The Answer (Stompa Phunk)
Cat No: STOP-12. Release Date: April 2006.
Not for the easily scared, here Stompa Phunk boss David Parr corrupts Ben Burns' "The Answer" in a delightful manner. Cut up electronified beats, tied up synths and a frighteningly addictive bassline work wonders on Parr's deadly remix.
Sistema Parque de Atracciones EP (Factor City)
Cat No: 014. Promo.
Toughened Techny nastiness is on show at Sistema's amusement park. Ever so trippy keys, grating synths and tough beats have all the fun on "Tio Vivo". Industrial strength synths, firing beats and illogical vocals meet on the well-named "Darkness".
Mattafix To & Fro (Chicken Lips RMX) (Buddhist Punk)
Available Now.
Mattafix always sound like they're trying a little too hard to make urbany fashioned pop and here Chicken Lips mistreat them in the best possible way. Skip the needle to the second half of the Lips vivid disco remix of "To & Fro", where only the title vocal hook pervades and is soon lost under a chorus of kaleidoscope keys and mind losing synths.
Jon Freer(jon.freer_at_gmail.com)
***Freelaunce Journalist***
Website = www.mosoul.co.uk.
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Received on 2006-03-15 21:15:37