Music Reviews
Belleruche - Turntable Soul Music
Tru Thoughts RecordingsAfter releasing the singles, 'Reflection/Bird Mess' and 'The Itch/13:6:35' on their own Hippoflex label, Belleruche have now found a perfect home for their debut album with Tru Thoughts. Their style combines hip hop beats and funk and jazz breaks with the smoky blues vocals of Kathrin deBoer. Think of a UK version of Erykah Badu and you won't be too far off the mark. This is a consistent set throughout but for me it lacks a particular standout moment. Well worth investigating though.
PermalinkAndy Allen, 07/07
Bellowhead - Matachin
Navigator RecordsGreat second album from this exciting big band, as before based in folk but not afraid to rock and jazz it up as they draw in global influences. They gel together to make the music a natural development of their enthusiasm as they deliver shanties, drinking songs and more. Exciting and adventurous.
Graham Radley, 11/08
Ben Westbeech - Welcome To The Best Years of Your Life
Brownswood RecordingsBeing championed by likes of Gilles Peterson for some time and now signed to his fledgling label is a dream come true I guess for the brilliant pianist, singer-songwriter and deejay Ben. He's since made a name for himself with the trendy "So Good Today" taken from his said album with its Domu soul-fuelled broken beat mixes gained him notoriety amongst the heads (at Co Op shindigs amongst others), the house lovers alluring grooves came about thanks to a Part 2 twelve-inch single release of deep Afro house tipped Osunlade rubs that made it into the boxes of certain DJ's and thereby giving the Bristolian a welcoming boost to those in the know. Ben has a definite love for soul, jazz classics and standards, drum and bass and for the original London sound of broken beat which have all made vast impressions on him. I dare say some of his productions may draw parallels to the early works of Jamiroquai when he offered a lot more soul passion in his work. However, Ben has a voice that is neither Black or urban in sound nor is it immediately obviously that of a blue-eyed soloist either. He's not trying to be or sound like anyone he's just keeping it real. What is original in his work is his ability to adapt melodies and bass lines of songs from yesteryear making them fresh and appealing by imprinting the technology of today's hi tech sounds with live piano to make it work for the present generation of clubbers out there. "Get Closer" is a prime example as it effortlessly twists and turns through a busy drum and bass line and frantic rhythms with clean drops out and reverb effects behind the flashback melody of "Elevate Your Mind", a rare groove joint. Other cuts like "Bright Future" jaunts around various panned out brass sounds, some hard stepping drum licks and snares that would suitably get hardcore jazz dancers or enthusiasts of early seventies jazz styles in Jamaican reggae going on any dance floor. Similarly made for both the floor and lounge listening the r & b ethos of "Hang Around" would be a huge pop winner given some major backing, "Nothing Else" and "Dance With Me" are great stand out cuts also with potential for single's options. Of the fifteen tracks showcased making a point of spotlighting Ben's more sensitive and social consciousness is not forgotten and is most notable on the down tempo scribes of "Gotta Keep On", the instrumental sound of "Beauty" and the acoustical "Grey Skies". Consistency and a tight production holds this set together very well, placing this newcomer in the spotlight to hold his own with great prospects for the future. He deserves to be supported.
Marcia Carr, 04/07
Benjamin Escoriza - Aleventa!
World Music NetworkProbably best known as the vocalist for the superb Radio Tarifa this is the debut solo album for Granada-born vocalist and lyricist BenjamÃn Escoriza. Several of Radio Tarifa guest on this acoustically driven album and that blend of medieval, Moorish, Sephardic, Andalusia folk is still to be heard but flamenco comes more to the fore bringing out the best of the North African influences and driving this compelling CD forward. Highly recommended.
Graham Radley, 05/07
Bennson - Let The Love
Raw Fusion RecordsOn his debut “Let The Love”, Australian born Bennson delivers a disc filled with 80’s style boogie tunes, modern soulful stompers and a few instrumental groovers mixed in for good measure. Bennson is a multi-talented artist who has performed with heavyweights like Alice Russell, Quantic and is also a member of the Bamboos. “Let The Love” has several standout tracks like “Whatever It Is”, an energetic foot stompin dance track. “Can’t Get Enough” is a downtempo soul track with smooth keys that float over Bennson’s voice. “Incredible” is another soulful gem that has a sound reminiscent of the Brand New Heavies. Fellow Aussies Gary Pinto and Christin Deralas perform a lovely duet on the mellow “One Minute Left”. There are many more selections here to enjoy so you’ll just have to check them out for yourself. Overall “Let The Love” is a well conceived feel good record that is certain to make you move. Bennson has emerged from the background and based on this project there’s no way he’s going back. Listen and enjoy.
Reg Dancy, 10/08
Benny Tones - Chrysalis
BBE RecordsIf you were among the fortunate to enjoy the sleeper lp by Electric Wire Hustle from 2009 then you’re already familiar with New Zealand’s Benny Tones. Benny was the architect behind the beats and rhythms that made EWH such a huge hit. For his solo debut “Chrysalis”, he delivers once again with another lp filled with hypnotic beats, irresistible grooves plus a few contributions from some of the most talented vocalists not just from New Zealand but on the scene today. EWH front man Mara TK appears on four tracks and all of them strike the right chords but the standout is “Nevermind”. The future soul mid-tempo synth flavored gem captures the imagery of a man in search of a companion as Mara TK lyrically states. Joe Dukie from Fat Freddy’s Drop shines on the laidback dub stepper “Home”. “Odyssey” is another mid-tempo musical voyage filled with clever synths and the beautiful voice of songstress LP. There are other selections that deserve to be heard like the instrumental “Little City” and the title track, a sublime slice of electronica which features the blissful vocals of Sacha Vee. Benny has crafted another superb record that you’ll no doubt wear out just as you did with the EWH recording. It won’t be long before other vocalists and rappers start seeking his services to out the best in their recordings as well. With a record as strong as this, that’s not a bad idea.
Reg Dancy, 05/11
Beta Simon - Kraity Payan Guez
FakolyThis is Beta’s first release since he moved to France in 1999 and dropped out of music to become a farmer. His welcome return to the studio was helped by Tiken Jah Fakoly and this was recorded with Fakoly’s band in Mali to become the first release on his new album. Delightful spiritual roots reggae from Africa - mighty fine.
Graham Radley, 08/07
Beto Villares - Beto Villares
Six Degrees RecordsWell known Brazilian producer and soundtrack composer this is his debut CD and very good it is too, among the top guest vocalists he uses are CeU, Zeila Duncan (Os Mutantes) and Rappin' Hood. It’s a chilled mix which has a bedrock of bossa and other Brazilian rhythms joined by gentle flavours of reggae and funk. Perfect for all the lovely summer sunshine we should be having.
Graham Radley, 08/09
Big Bang - Way In Jazz
Arision RecordingsI bought this album on the strength of hearing one track which we know can be a little risky nowadays but "Way In Jazz" is as good as I was hoping. Things kick off with the well known "Favourite Things" which is, yes, a little obvious but it has to be said it's a great version. The rest of the tracks are a damn fine selection of Jazz that is not a million miles away from Nicola Conte and Five Corners Quintet, with an amazing array of guest vocalists and the exceptional Nathan Haines on sax and flute plus a top notch horn section featuring Ingrid Laubrock. Here is another ace soundtrack for the summer.
Simon Harrison, 06/06
Biggabush Presents Lightning Head - 13 Faces of Lightning Head
Lion HeadThis is the third solo long player from former member of Rockers Hi-Fi, Biggabush, following on from 2002’s Best 7 release, “Studio Don”. The bulk of this album may have been recorded in Bigga’s farmhouse studio in the south-west of England, but don’t be fooled, for the music here is a beautiful fusion (in the nicest sense of the word) of skanking dub-reggae, JBs era funk, bass-heavy electronica, Hi-Life, Afro-beat and the other West African sounds about which Biggabush is so passionate. A hybrid approach on this scale can often produce such insipid, disappointing results, but not under the stewardship of a master craftsman like Biggabush, who somehow appears to be forever shredding up the blueprint and yet, at the same time, treating the music with an unquestionable integrity. This is one of the albums of the year and its music speaks for itself. Miss it at your peril.
Tom Breslin, 12/08