current reviews: singles and albums
previous reviews - click here
last updated: 3rd july 2005
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the juju orchestra - "kind of latin rhythm / funky nassau" [audiopharm] timely for the summer months "kind of latin rhythm" will have latin, funk and breaks fans happy. the real jem here is the version of "funky nassau". unless they're done well...funk classics are best left to the original rendition - however, this is a very credible version. a latin flava and at a pace to keep the best dancers going!
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soulphonic
soundsystem – “sonido” [transistor music] the soulphonic soundsystem hail from the sunny shores of california and create outstanding jazz dance masterpieces, which they showcase at their weekly ‘transistor lounge’ nights. “sonido” in ‘nu-bossa dance floor mix’ form is a sturdily percussed number, where a free flowing sax, jumping keys and a carrying bass help create contemporary new jazz for your mind and feet. the original delves deeper, courtesy of a far-reaching sax, loved-up strings and melodic vocals. incredible! (reviewed by jon freer)
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roy
ayers - "searching (africa 70 version)" (yoruba remixes) [bbe]
without being content enough by having mr ayers' unreleased back catalogue, the bbe folk have also decided to get a few items remixed. they haven't cut corners - osunlade is let loose on the excellent africa 70 version of 'searching'. two versions here - 'yoruba suite', an awesome take on the original. broken down to it's bare parts and reworked like a journey through the song...like it says on the packet "suite". flip it over for the yoruba soul mix and it's an almost broken beat rendition that the west london collective would be proud of!
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roy
ayers - "baby doll" [bbe]
the second twelve inch from the vaults of roy ayers sees the musical genius at the other end of the spectrum from the first release. this is classic roy ayers from the "running away" era. great vocals and tight production make this a must have for all fans. the b side has the instrumental like the good ole days of buying a twelve inch single. somewhat annoying as us music geeks will want two copies to work this track on the decks!
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håkan
lidbo – “bad clams” [lace] hakan furthers the catalan-scandinavian connection, with this wonderfully varied outing for manuel perez’s lace imprint. “bad clams” is a pleasant enough strutting percussive ride, where stripped guitar strums combine with watery synths and a resourceful bass. “boogiethon” grooves courtesy of a playful synth, whilst the real gem is the minimally minded jazzed out key frenzy of “helsingborg”. (reviewed
by jon freer)
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roy ayers - "searching
(africa 70 version) / brand new day" [bbe]
probs to the guys at bbe to have managed to get their hands unreleased roy ayers master tapes! can't believe the tracks have just been locked up for over twenty-five years. back in the day when roy ayers worked with fela kuti, it inspired him to jam on the already well known track "searching". "brand new day" - mary clayton on vocals...classic roy flava throughout - think "everybody loves the sunshine" or r.a.m.p.'s "daylight" and you'll get the idea. if the forthcoming album is anything like this then we're in for a treat!
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max
sedgley – “happy” [irma on canvas] incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist max dons his production hat and gets down for some soulful jazz-styled grooves on italy’s coveted irma on canvas imprint. “happy” is an eager to please number, with lofty toned looped up vocals, nudging strings, funked-out show-off bass and hornet-like buzzing trumpet. “two way” sees cosmic synths explore, fractured percussion clap to the beat and incredulous lovestruck vocals pay tribute. (reviewed
by jon freer)
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interns
featuring snowboy – “it’s about time” [chilli funk]
soulful djing icon bob jones gets down for a jazz dance with the fervent latin master snowboy, and the results are staggering. the original version takes upfront drums, cool as ice yet gorgeously wild keys, a blasting high trumpet and twisting into knots sax to create a rip-roaring modern jazz-house escapade. the ‘stripped down version’ sees dressed down percussion, melting keys underpin an approachable dancing sax and frolicking trumpet. snowboy’s ‘alternative take’ sees a swooning synth take over the show, as a trumpet roars, guitar bubbles and sax swings. (reviewed
by jon freer)
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j walk - "tearaway /
heavens above" [pleasure]
this is the two martin's third seven inch vinyl offering on the pleasure label. the follow up to the massive 'soul vibration' which received acclaim from everyone who heard it and le tres bon 'french letter' that contained a harpsichord sample. 'heavens above' is a eighties influenced dancefloor number featuring martin desai on the vocals, whilst 'tearaway' is a northern soul influenced tune that reminds me of one of the better releases on nuphonic. j walk have been tipped as the next big thing in 2002, lets hope by this time next year they'll be strutting their stuff on top of the pops and hob knobbing with the stars, perhaps they'd be kind enough to give jamie theakston a good kickin (reviewed by james starling)
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rick hudson & the
boogaloo band - "chicken / home fries" [blow it hard] once again the blow it hard label comes up trumps with what sounds to me like a unique slice of dancefloor jazz, written & produced by rick hudson & the boogaloo band, 'chicken' is as infectious as the plague yet funkier than donald byrds pants. whilst i prefer the a-side, the flip is equally as exciting; 'home fries' delivers the funkiest boogaloo hooks in blue note tradition. blow it hard are one of the best labels involved with the deep funk scene at the moment, not only did they bring the new master sounds to our attention long before they were produced by keb darge, but they're also one of the few labels not too concerned with sounding retro, deep or heavy but with putting out quality dancefloor funk and jazz by contemporary musicians. i liked the label so much i've booked blow it hard founder 'clive johnson' to play records at our night at the pool on saturday 16 february. (reviewed by james starling)
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various - "brazilectro
- session 7" [audiopharm]
superb compilation that's rammed with twenty-four brazilian influenced tracks fused with funk, jazz, soul, house and pretty much every other contemporary style hitting our dancefloors. there are remixed and original productions exclusively for the compilation and previously unreleased material. the degree of 'brasilness' varies from track to track and the styles vary even further. be it the deeper grooves of "yellow daises" by fertile ground or the lounge flavas of "ir facil" by moodorama. difficult to pick out immediate favourite as examples as there isn't enough space to type them all - but to give you an indication of styles: gabin feat dee dee bridgewater - "into my soul" for a jazz based groove and azymuth - "pieces of impanema" (mark pitchard remix) for that broken beat flava. recommended!
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various - "globalibre
- world club culture" [audiopharm]
"world music" for some reason has almost become a taboo word! but this is truly a compilation from around the world. salsa, latin, afro, reggae, bhangra...it's all there. compiled by dj's from around the globe its easy to see how this comp came about. salsa house beats of 'rumba dub style' by ojos de brujo, bhangra drum'n'bass flava of swami's 'mehbooba' to the latin elements of 'amaro shavo' by !deladap and even a jazz defector remix of james browns sex machine - and a pretty good one at that! overall an excellent album if you're playing catch up or are wondering what's going on out there in the world music/nu jazz genre's...
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incognito
– "the 25th chapter" [dome] this london based jazz-funk institution has been in business for near to a quarter of a century, and this release shows they can still put together stirring instrumentally driven cuts. the original hooks up a film car chase type funked up bass with persistent guitars, full of life brass and strings that have been stretched to breaking point. the ‘ski oakenfull vs para:diso broken funk remix’ is a strong keyed up version, where hop along beats, reassuring guitars and mood dampening strings do their thing. the bonustrack, “mindin’ my business” sees george duke join bluey et al for a blasting brass fuelled ride. (reviewed by jon freer)
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v/a – "inner city experience vol 3" [deepfunk music] deepfunk have enlisted an allstar cast for the third volume of their "inner city experience" series, which contains six solid, if not life-changing tracks. the first vinyl contains rithma's glazed-eyed guitar based "nice, geese", pc synergy's spaced out brass mission entitled "primetime" and an impatient synther by alland byallo called "la brea". vinyl two kicks off with olivier desmet and chuck diesel's sax ripping "gary's groove", before moving on to the talented morgan page's keyed up "swing" and a removed from reality slouching hopper from presto & the wayward saints known as "midnight blue".
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various
– “joey & norman jay presents good times 4” [resist] here is more carnival-inspired goodness from the queen’s favourite spinner (maybe it’s got something to do with his hat?) and his older brother on a compilation released by a new label that sounds like it could be the offspring of a now sadly defunct london-based musical daddy. as expected, “good times 4” is a very mixed bag. there are some sublime soulful and jazzy touched selections from recent times and yesteryear here, whilst most of the house based material is weak. matthew herbert’s ‘big band mix’ of oi va voi’s “refugee” asks how can the plight of those without voices go on being ignored, over a traditionally styled brass backing. jakki’s “you are the star” is a desire-fuelled number, with a strong acoustic guitar and a flute that could charm most potential suitors. james mason’s “sweet power your embrace” is an outstanding final track, courtesy of its affecting bass, tense strings and heartfelt vocals. music to soundtrack ‘good times’. (reviewed by jon freer)
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various
- "blue note revisited" [blue note]
in
a market where we're saturated by a compilation for almost every genre
this stands out for a number of reasons. firstly, it's on blue
note - a label that's almost defined the term "jazz".
also, the once untouchable back catalogue to remixers has been
opened up to pick and choose. lastly, seems like they might have
been waiting for all the right remixers - and they've been spoilt for
choice here!
last
years excursion from madlib was spoiling us already, here we've got the
likes of dj spinna, bugz in the attic, kenny dope, osunlade, 4hero,
madlib, jazzanova plus more reworking bobby hutcherson, gene harris,
grant green, donald byrd...
no
album fillers here, all are credible re-works that ought to appeal to
the guys who dig the original versions to the nu-jazz hedz.
not
going to list the stand out cuts as you will like them all!
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pimp
daddy nash - "the new jazz science" [eighth dimension] defying the title somewhat, “the new jazz science” is not a technical investigation of the future jazz scene. it is in fact a good-natured future retro funkified long player, where, in the majority, the instrumentals outshine the vocal offerings. “la femme c’est mysterie” is an enticing sultry affair, with an inviting sax, attractive keys and funked up beats. “to osaka by rail” is an oriental toned journey that speeds along past blurred scenary, courtesy of a mutating melodic synth, stylish vocal touches and perfected keys. the turntable rocker mix of “a wonderful life” is the choice version of pimp’s swansong, as a simmering bass partner commited beats and fairy dust sprinkled keys combine under incredibly positive vocals from the man himself. zany fun for all the family. (reviewed by jon freer)
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various
– “the best of pulp fusion” [harmless] funked-up favourites are the order of the day on this selection compiled by the bouncing dj pogo and other harmless heads. focussing on the real goods that will engage the mind as well as move the floor, each track has a special something to it. larry young’s fuel “turn off the lights” is a supremely sleazy tale of seduction, with a beaten down organ, torch-providing keys, slick percussion and paradoxical yet sense-making vocals. pucho & his latin soul brothers contribute “chitterlings con carne” a mouth watering steaming musical dish, where expressive flute acrobatics dominate proceedings. minnie riperton’s “every time he comes around” sees the sugary-toned diva in a tense state, as her fraught with desire vocals question his commitment, over reverbing electric guitars and touching keys. a choice compilation, even if pogo’s accompanying technically inspiring mix cd ruins the unadulterated beauty of such esteemed tracks. (reviewed by jon freer)
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various
– “ennio morricone” remixes volume 1 [compost] sharing more than a passing resemblance to some of today’s top electronic producers, morricone created moods so vivid with his music that they changed films that he soundtracked beyond recognition. it is indeed an honour to for the artists present here to be given the chance to revisit the music of one of the world’s greatest emotion manipulators. some of those present here have reverentially created vision’s of morricone’s music for a new century, whilst others disappoint with cuts devoid of any passion or feeling. andreas ‘swell session’ saag provides the highlight of the cd in the form of his re-rub of “il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (the good, the bad, the ugly)”. his inspirational version brings in the heart-stopping whistling so central to the original over mournful keys, elasticated live ercussion, wah wah brass and werewolf-like flute howls. alex attias’s ‘mustang mix 1’ of “le foto proibite di una signora per bene” uses gently stabbing keys, broken percussion, true keys and smiling strings as a backdrop for the beautifully moving vocal duet. needs, no strangers to emotion, add melting chords, organic kit percussion and synth loveliness to “i crudeli”. let’s hope volume 2 offers more of the same! (reviewed by jon freer)
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tom & joyce - "tom
& joyce" [yellow/jazz fm] the pair originally set the world alight with their spine tingling goose pimple inducing "vai minha tristeza", and this debut long player shows what else they have to offer. enlisting the help of numerous musicians, the pair have created a selection of beautiful organic natural compositions. the uk edition features bonus remixes by maw and bob sinclar, but the tracks would have been best left alone, as both turn in well below par versions. "domingo" is a slice of acoustic tenderness, with joyce's gorgeous vocals, sparse percussion and a winding flute. "un regard, un sorire" has the percussion of the slow dance of two lovers, as a guitar tingles and a bass joins the dots. "vai minha tristeza" is the standout by a mile, as waves relax as kick drum and cymbal hold things together for beautiful keys and joyce's spellbinding vocals to glide across. "uma lagrima" is another wonderfully kind-hearted cut, as an icy cool flute, strings, which remind you of the dawn of a new day, and vocals that make you stop dead combine in an awe-inspiring manner. a highly commendable album from tom and joyce, which is worth purchasing for "vai minha tristeza" alone. (reviewed by jon freer)
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the new mastersounds - the new
mastersounds [deep funk/bbe]
'keb darge presents' reads
the oddly meticulous artwork for the first new mastersounds long-player. something
of an understatement perhaps? (reviewed by dixon)
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"funk drops"
- various [warner] don't be put off by the big label status, this classy collection of gems compiled by warner uk takes in bumps from the whole roster of the parent company's considerable history, including atlantic, atco, and reprise. and, thanks to some privileged access, they haven't just been buried in the crates either; they've ransacked the tape library too. so we're treated to two unreleased meters songs, a lost jb's masterpiece with a bootsy bass line that'll have you on your knees kissing the carpet, and a whole lot more besides. the styles are many and varied, from southern fried soul to progfunk trips, but the quality is spot on throughout. don't hesitate! (reviewed by dixon)
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"funkrock"
- various artists [bbe] compiled by dj spinna and a certain "monty burns" for this new series from bbe records. 'rock breaks and guitars for funky people' is the sub-title and it's pretty much just that! the tracks range from the late sixties to the late seventies. trainspotters
and "real" beat collectors will more than likely already own
most of these tracks, but i suspect it's not really aimed at those people.
a wide spectrum of funkrock beats are covered on this album from more
funkier outings to mainly guitar based tracks to even moog and hammond
organ tunes. it's interesting because the guitar, be it lead or
bass, has always featured in funk from james brown and especially early
parliament/funkadelic numbers, so what makes this so different?
well, it'll introduce listeners to funkier based rhythms to more guitar
based ones and vice versa - it did with me! |