Music Reviews
Chiwoniso - Rebel Woman
CumbanchaTerrific line up including Louis Mhlanga and Sam Matuare for this excellent CD from Zimbabwe's Chiwoniso her first internationally released album in over ten years, A strong supporter of human rights and social justice she uses her soulful voice to enrich the mbira driven melodies with songs that evolve from traditional to contemporary. Superb.
PermalinkGraham Radley, 09/08
Choklate - Choklate
Kajmere Sound Recordings2006 has been quite a year for debut albums and here's another from the home of the Rebirth. This is a fine selection of soul, but some people keep referring to it as R&B and Choklate is way past that (-sorry, the word R&B sends me running for miles). Some of you may have heard the single "Waitin" which features the awesome Chali 2na from Jurassic 5, who has one of those voices that I love, and here works a treat with Choklate's vocals. There is also the lovely "Getting Is Good" and the rare groove influenced "Bigger Than You", and my personal favourite "Heavy". You'd be very silly not to check this out.
Simon Harrison, 07/06
Chris Wood - Albion - An Anthology
Navigator RecordsExcellent two CD collection from Chris and features material from a wide range of sources, there’s material from his solo albums as well as work with Andy Cutting, The Two Duos, Jean-François Vrod, Martin Carthy & Roger Wilson, Karen Tweed, English Acoustic Collective and my own favourite the Imagined Village, the duet with Eliza Carthy is simply spot on. Excellent.
Graham Radley, 08/09
Christian Prommer - Christian Prommer’s Drum Lesson Vol.1
Sonar KollektivFollowing his version of Derrick May's 'Strings Of Life', released a couple of months back on 12", Christian Prommer continues the theme throughout his debut solo album, taking his favourite house tracks and reinterpreting them in a jazz dance style. The aforementioned 'Strings Of Life' is included along with great versions of Mr. Fingers' 'Can You Feel It', Master At Work's 'Nervous Track' Isoul8's 'Beau Mot Plage', Ame's 'Rej' and Kraftwerk's 'Trans Europa Express.
Andy Allen, 10/07
Chucho Valdes - Jazz Bata
Malanga RecordsCo-founding memeber of Cuban supergroup Irakere Chucho Valdes began his career as an aspiring Afro-Cuban jazz pianist and this excellent offering chronicles both one of his earliest albums as a leader in Cuba and a later offering from the early nineteen-eighties when his compositional talent and orchestral leadership was already well established. The earlier album dates from roughly 1972 and is an outstanding example of Afro-Cuban jazz with a modal influence in Valdes' playing inspired, perhaps, by McCoy Tyner. The percussive intro of 'Neurosis' leads on to freer improvisation mixed with blues inflections while 'Laureen' showcases the lyricism in his playing. However, the piece de resistance is unquestionably, 'Irakere' and possibly one of his finest compositions. In sum a highly accessible, yet challenging album in the same breath. The second album dates from a decade later and the Irakere group influence is far more discernible down to individual group members participating in the recording. Of particular interest is the inclusion of a song by nueva trova singer Sylvio Rodriguez 'Rabo de Nube' given the instrumental treatment and interestingly to be found on the latest Charles Lloyd album also. Here it is given a solo piano treatment plus flute accompaniment from German Velazco. One wonders whether Lloyd has been exposed to this recording. Devoted to his daughter, the ballad 'Claudia' is another excellent composition while the best solo is reserved for the piano vamp and ensuing excursion on 'Son para Leyanis'. With the current economic recession, it is heartening to know that independent labels are providing such excellent valuie for money. Extended bi-lingual notes from Cuban musicologist Maria elena Mendiola accompany the CD.
Tim Stenhouse, 05/08
Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur
Ninja TuneThe third installment is here and boy you should be getting excited. I've been thinking for a few weeks about what to say on "Ma Fleur" and I cannot come up with a better description than that when I met up with Simon S from Futuristica Music and was chatting to him about this album:The first time you hear "To Build A Home" it makes you wonder if you've just turned on Cold Play but in reality this is just simply beautiful music with wonderful vocals from Patrick Watson. We have more of those stunning arrangements and the added extra of another pairing with Fontella Bass. It was sad to read in the press notes that Fontella is ill but if you need your spirits lifting, just play the amazing "Breathe" and "Familiar Ground". There is a chance that a specially commissioned screenplay for a film might be made to accompany this release and I so hope Swincoe gets the chance to fully complete this project. Like both previous albums, just buy!
Simon Harrison, 04/07
Clara Hill - All I Can Provide
Sonar KollektivThose of you who have been on the ball will have noticed that a number of tracks from "All I Can Provide" have been released on 12" over the last few months. With productions from Vikter Duplaix and King Britt, those guys gave Clara the exposure she deserved but it's the tracks with Slope, Atjazz, Sandboy and Meitz that really make this album worthwhile. These four producers cross broken, boogie and soul to make Clara's voice sound her best yet. S.K continues their domination.
Simon Harrison, 09/06
Clara Hill’s Folkwaves - Sideways
Sonar KollektivThe third album from Clara Hill, as the title suggests, is a folk orientated affair which although is a pleasant, overall lacks the impact of her previous outings. That's not to say there aren't any great tracks here, there are, particularly the duet with Thief, 'About You', the Minnie Riperton influenced 'Wonderful World' and the Marc Mac produced 'Everything'. It just would have been nice to have a few more tracks of this standard included.
Andy Allen, 10/07
Clive Hunt & The Dub Dancers - Clive Hunt & The Dub Dancers
MakafreshLove this, the man has dub flowing through him and lets all his studio skills fill the CD with a wide range of dub influences from the safe to the adventurous. There’s a conscious sprit flowing through as well, evident especially on my pick of the tracks ‘Baghdad In Dub’. Highly recommended.
Graham Radley, 08/08
Clutchy Hopkins - Walking Backwards
Ubiquity Records"Who is Clutchy Hopkins?" Everyone seems to be asking that question. With this disc, “Walking Backwards”, he shows that he is a talented producer with smooth beats to lure you into his spaced out world. The disc starts off with “Sounds Of The Ghost”, a dark mid-tempo instrumental that is drenched in funk with sketches of jazz layered underneath. “Love A Woman” is the only track with vocals, courtesy of Darondo. Darondo’s voice is similar to Al Green and is perfect for the sonic landscape of Clutchy’s beats. Combining elements of jazz and funk reminiscent of Madlib, Clutchy Hopkins provides us a snapshot of his skills. It won’t be long before he becomes a household name.
Reg Dancy, 04/08