Music Reviews
Bonobo - Days To Come
Ninja TuneThis is the 3rd long player from Bonobo, and whilst it retains elements of the lounge styling found on previous work "Days To Come" has a much deeper jazz flavour. This is in no doubt due to the fact that Bajka graces several cuts with her fragile yet beautiful voice. The title track is an outstanding example but not to be overlooked is "Nightlite", which has a northern soul meets spiritual jazz vibe! Also worthy of note is the mellow folky feel of "If You Stayed Over" with Fink.
PermalinkAndy Allen, 10/06
Brad Mehldau Trio - Live
Nonesuch RecordsThe latest live offering from Brad Mehldau again from the legendary setting of the Village Vanguard sees him continue to mix contemporary pop tunes with reworkings of standards from the American songbook and beyond. Paring down the very essence of the melody in a song and weaving it into an individual style is Mehldau's forte and on the Oasis tune 'Wonderwall' the trio take the song in a whole new direction. Chico Buarque's 'O que sera' improves on the already latinised tinge with a dramatic change of tempo part way through that is an album tour de force. A lengthy solo introduces the take on Coltrane's 'Countdown' before Larry Grenadier on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums enter and Mehldau thereafter sets off on an exploratory romp. Of the other material, the self-composed 'B-Flat Waltz' harks back to Mehldau's earliest recordings while blues-inflected playing on the standard 'More than you know' accompanies the sparse phrasing with the pianist at his most soulful. The intimacy of the session at the Vanguard comes across well, and as ever the recording.
Tim Stenhouse, 05/08
Braintax - Panorama
Low Life RecordsAn unsung Hip-Hop hero, Braintax has been instrumental in much of the positive movement made by the UK scene over the last decade, and the politically-charged Panorama's cultured flow, intelligent lyrics and captivatingly diverse beats are testament to just that. Self-funded and largely self-produced, the album is the interesting, progressive and ever-funky antithesis of mundane, mass-marketed fluff. The excellent, Louis Slipperz-produced Syriana Style, with its tough middle-eastern beats interspersed with George Galloway sound bites, just about sums it up!
Tom Breslin, 11/06
Break Reform - Reformation
Abstract Blue RecordingsSimon S, Nanar and JJ aka Break Reform return after releasing numerous singles and the amazing debut album 'Fractures'. You will have also in your collection the last two singles featuring remixes from Domu, Yam Who and Sidewinder, which has built up more than enough hype for the imminent release of 'Reformation'. There is no doubt in my mind that Nanar is one of the most gifted singers and lyricists around today and once you've listened to all of this album I'm certain you'll agree. It's wonderful to have them back and all you need to do now is check out the live show at a venue near you.
Simon Harrison, 05/05
Breakthrough - Breakthrough
Jazzy SportBreakthrough are the brain child of three up and coming Japanese producers who have set their standards high, just look at the list of vocalists for their debut: Bahamadia, Amp Fiddler, Bembe Segue, Gagle, Jneiro Jarel, Count Bass D, Maspyke and that's just for starters. These guys are not messing about and with a whopping 21 tracks, you're in for a real treat. Breakthrough is predominately Hiphop and Soul based with a Broken Beat tune thrown in for good measure, featuring the amazing Bembe Segue. This may cost a small fortune in Europe but it's worth every penny. Top marks to Jazzy Sport.
Simon Harrison, 10/05
Broke'n'English - Subject 2 Status
Fat City RecordingsLet's get the gripes out of the way. Firstly, there are too many skits and interludes on this album for my tastes. Secondly, there are a couple of insipid, ballad-like tracks that let the side down. Right, now to the positives. Most of Subject 2 Status is actually very good, and it's hard to imagine most UK emcees being able to match the skill and flow of Manchester's Broke 'n' English, a.k.a. Strategy and DRS, when they're at their best. The high points, here, come on the tougher, up-tempo tracks, where they get a chance to display a rugged, but not aggressive, style that exudes energy and works to great effect. Case in point being 'Take It Low', a dynamite marriage of soulful chords, broken beats and smooth rhymes that deserves much success.
Tom Breslin, 04/07
Broken - Better Luck Next Time
Mind RecordsWhat strikes you first about “Better Luck Next Time” is the attention to detail in the press release and packaging; this is top quality. Doctor L has been a very busy man over the years working with the likes of Tony Allen, James Blood Ulmer and Nicolas Baby (Kaktus Hunters). This time he teams up with French vocalist Dom Farkas under his new Broken alias. Mixing up the deepest house grooves with soul, jazz and, yes, rock, is a bit of a shock at first but just like when you first heard Mos Def’s “Rock N Roll” it works a treat. Keep your eyes peeled for the 12” with four more tasty tunes.
Simon Harrison, 12/05
Brotherly - One Sweet Life
Music At MonumentalAfter breaking onto the scene in 2005 with 'Put It Out' featuring Eska and following up with the excellent 'Searching' last year the duo of Rob Mullarkey and Anna Stubbs now come with their debut long player. As with the singles, both of which are included here, the album is a broken-soul affair and features guests Ty on the title track and Earl Zinger who graces 'Elevate' with his distinctive spoken word delivery. Although there's nothing here to quite top 'Searching' the set has some strong moments such as 'True', 'A Little Trouble', the funky 'DTs', and the blissful 'Raindown'. Well worth investigating.
Andy Allen, 05/07
Brown's Bag - Soul Satisfied
SoulchoonzBrown's Bag aka Ward Brown, follows up his 2005 debut 'Labor Of Love' with 'Soul Satisfied', a collection of contemporary soul/R&B with strong seventies sensibilities. Whilst the production is a little smooth for my current tastes there's no denying the quality of Brown's vocals which particularly shine on the mellow groover 'You're Contagious' and the funky 'Me Around'. The real standouts for me though are catchy up-tempo Diskonauts Remix 'No More Lies' and the Markydisco Jazzy Remix of 'Things You Say', a slick stepper, both by Marc Mitchell (the original versions of which appear on 'Labor Of Love'). Both are destined to blow up big time on the modern soul scene over the coming months.
Andy Allen, 01/07
Brownout - Homenaje
Freestyle Records'Homenaje' is the debut album from the Austin, Texas based eight piece band Brownout. Their sound is most definitely rooted in funk but with plenty of Latin and Afro-beat influences thrown in for good measure. The majority of the tracks here are aimed directly at the dance-floor but my personal favourites are the mellower cuts particularly the string laced psychedelic soul of 'Brown Wind And Fire'.
Andy Allen, 02/08