Music Reviews
Amycanbe - Being A Grown Up Sure Is Complicated
Dancing Turtle RecordsGreat debut album from this group of Francesca Amati (vocals) Mattia Mercuriali (guitar) Marco Trinchillo (acoustic guitar/drums) and Paolo Gradari (trumpet/guitar/keys) from Ravenna in north eastern Italy. The pointers/influences are Bjork, Aphex Twin and Belle & Sebastien with folk at the core but this is music that evolves beautifully in its own chilled world.
PermalinkGraham Radley, 09/07
Ananda Project - Fire Flower
Nite GroovesChris Brann's Ananda Project follow up their 'Fire Flower' EP from a few months back with a full length album packed full of deep house flavours. Included from the EP are the blissful 'Into The Sunrise' which is underpinned by subtle Latin rhythms and features Terrance Downs on vocals and the outstanding 'Remember When [The Wind Destroyed Our Village]', an intense atmospheric instrumental with a popping bass line, dirty keys and haunting wind effects. 'Time And Space' again fronted by Terrance Downs is a fine example of uplifting soulfulness but also check the Latin jazz dancer 'Free Me' and 'Where The Music Takes You', a superb slice of synth laden disco-boogie. Classic house music!
Andy Allen, 09/07
Ancient Astronauts - We Are To Answer
ESL MusicAncient Astronauts are Kabanjak and Dogu from Cologne, they are heavily influenced by funky hip-hop from the nineties but they add in Afro, reggae and dope beats mixed into a spacebeats shake up. There really is a big mixture going on here with favourites including Tippa Irie toasting on ‘All Of The Things You Do’ and The Pharcyde breezing through ‘Classic’. Great stuff.
Graham Radley, 08/09
Andre Zimma - The Calm In The Turbulence
Swedish BrandyDaniel Paul and Hans Schaaf (DJ Honesty) are the group known as Andre Zimma. You may be more familiar with them as the duo known as Slope. The two DJs have been producing an eclectic array of house, broken beat and hip hop tracks for a number of years and have compiled a strong collection of 12 inches and lps on the Sonar Kollektiv label. Their latest project on Swedish Brandy is an assortment of down-tempo jazz flavored soul grooves and tasty house tracks enhanced by an impressive lineup of musicians. One of the notable contributors is the duo Amraah8, they’re featured on 2 tracks here plus an alternate take for each. “Aqua” is a gorgeous down-tempo electronic soul gem that features singer Clover, whose vocals blessed the unforgettable Deyampert’s “Heard Him First”. “Colors” is an ethereal slow grinding groove highlighted by the lust filled poetry of Channeng. I’m partial to the Comfort Fit remix but the original is enjoyable as well. There are many more highlights such as “Wicked Games”, featuring the whispery voice and the ambient electronic sounds of Delhia De France. In addition, there several solid soulful house tracks here to savor as well. “Mermaids Bay” is an irresistible house track that will have you swept away by the violin soloing and the lush strings. “M.U.S.I.C.” is another thumpin track seasoned with a samba beat and sweet tasting horns to match. It’s hard to pack seventeen songs into a disc that while maintaining a level of excellence but that’s exactly what we have here. Wow, this is one strong record with grooves for every mood and is certain to provide definite satisfaction.
Reg Dancy, 05/11
Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective - Watina
CumbanchaThis is an excellent CD featuring an exciting collection, covering all ages, of musicians from the Garifuna communities. The Garifuna, people originated when two European ships, filled with West African slaves sunk off the coast of the Caribbean island of St. Vincent in 1635. Many of the slaves survived and mixed with the locals creating a new culture. They then resisted European colonization, and were forcibly exiled to the Caribbean coast of Central America. More recently that culture has come under threat from lots of external influences but Andy Palacio has proved to be an exception to this sad situation. Raised in the Garifuna stronghold of Barranco, Belize, Palacio wassurrounded by music and other traditions. This CD celebrates that wonderful heritage and the African influences of this music which sits happily alongside Cape Verdean as an example of emotional music delivered and played beautifully.
Graham Radley, 04/07
Anita Wardell - Kinda Blue
Specific JazzFollow up to the excellent ‘Noted’ this is another classy jazz release with every one of the ten tracks having blue(s) in the title but all having a different musical aspect. Her vocals flow easily and adventurously into and around the songs with an excellent band including Robin Aspland, Jeremy Brown, Steve Brown and Tristan Mailliot.
Graham Radley, 06/08
Anne Wirz - Infini
Heavenly Sweetness'Infini' is the debut album from Parisian based jazz vocalist Anne Wirz. She's backed in the main by a trio (piano/Fender Rhodes, bass and drums) on this largely self penned set, much of which is sung in French. For me though it's the covers which she excels on such as Sathima Bea Benjamin's 'Music' and her amazing interpretations of 'Maiden Voyage' and the Carlos Garnett/Norman Connors jazz-dance classic 'Mother Of The Future'.
Andy Allen, 01/08
Anonamas - Truth Thru Fiction
Infinite Soul Music“Come on, clap your hands” Anonamas ask… and by close of play that truly is the order of the day to this majestic neo soul album. Beats are strong; rhythms gripping and lyrics thought provoking enough to rank this album high amidst its peers in 2006. For heads bouncing around labels Tru Thought; BBE; Stones Throw and to artists floating around the Mitsu the Beats; Madlib; Ndambi waters will find comfortable refuge here. This sometimes hypnotic collection of ideas comes across as a tried and tested sound rather than the fact of it being a brand new project. Subtle grooves and vocals clarity pull together music for today with maximum impact. There's no weak links here, proud work by anyone's standards. Watch out, for they will not lie unnoticed. Particular monsters come by way of 'Africa' an almost N'Dambi wonder, ‘Soul Stir feat. C.J. Phelps' a jazz undercurrent and scat head-nodder, and the anthem that is ‘The Hustle', contender for track of the year – but fear not, Truth Thru Fiction is a whole album with many segments all of which exceptional. This perhaps stamps as testament to the wonder that is MySpace, for without we would not be here with this album having so much joy.
Steve Williams, 11/06
Anthony Hamilton - Ain't Nobody Worryin'
So So DefThe gravely voiced modern soul man Anthony Hamilton impressed with tracks such as "Since I Seen't You" (whatever that means) and "My First Love" from his "official" debut album "Comin' From Where I'm From" (So So Def 2003). "Ain't Nobody Worryin" continues in a similar vein and whilst there's nothing to quite compare to the aforementioned cuts I bring it to your attention for "The Truth", a wonderful low slung sexy groove. Also worthy of note is the socially conscious title track, co-written and produced by Raphael Saadiq. Hamilton's southern roots really shine through on this one.
Andy Allen, 02/06
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - Leggo De Lion
Kindred SpiritsAnthony Joseph was a new name to me but he's been on the scene for a number of years. Joseph is an author of two poetry collection cds and also has just released the novel "The African Origins of UFOs". Lyrically this is an intense album which requires your full attention. Daydream for a second and you'll be lost, then you're back to the rewind button, to start again. Driving in whilst listening to this became rather fun and games because I must have listened to this four times over. The jazz soundtrack by The Spasm Band is just perfect, with a real feel of the 70s and Strata-East or Impulse classics, to ensure this is essential for your collection.
Simon Harrison, 04/07