Music Reviews
Cosmic Groove Orchestra - Time Has Come
Perfect Toy RecordsPerfect Toy records are demonstrating that they have an ear for quality straight ahead jazz. With the debut of The Cosmic Groove Orchestra’s “Time Has Come”, they display their spiritual side as well. “Time Has Come” is a melodic collection of spiritual sublime jazz that would make Alice Coltrane proud. Alice receives mention here not only for the wonderful work on harp by Kathrin Pechlof but for the meditative serene soundscapes the band creates on each track. Pechlof’s playing blends in perfectly with Jerker Kluge’s work on electric bass on “Walzer For LLse Proskauer”. I’m not sure who’s playing the violin on this track but they sound great nonetheless. “Shelter” is another gem due to the superb work by Kluge once again on electric bass. Matthias Gmelin is tremendous throughout on drums but on “You Know, You Know” his playing really stands out. Overall this is a solid record that you can certainly embrace from start to finish. The Cosmic Groove Orchestra has skillfully created a record that will relax your mind and soothe your soul.
PermalinkReg Dancy, 06/10
Crazy P - Stop Space Return
20:20 VisionCrazy P have been established in the dance music space for quite some time now (albeit with a slightly more risqué and genital inspired moniker) and, although their oeuvre undoubtedly includes some top quality 12 inches and remixes, when it comes to their albums I have, on occasion, been left a touch under whelmed. So, upon hearing the opening salvo of “Stop Space Return”, the title track of this (their fourth) album, I was convinced that the tide must have turned and that we were on to a real winner here. “Stop Space Return” is a tough, dirty, disco-squelcher with a perfectly executed vocal from Danielle Moore (now a permanent member of the band), just choc full of attitude and primed for the dance floor. This, however, is the high point and it all goes slightly weird from here on in. “Caught Up” and “Love on the Line”, for example, just seem to be a bit ‘cheesy Saturday night dance anthem’, whilst some of the other songs appear to be aiming for Scissor Sisters-esque pop territory. Granted, this is not necessarily a bad thing and the record is certainly more commercially viable as a result, but just not quite what I was expecting or hoping for.
Tom Breslin, 11/08
Cro-Magnon - Cro-Magnon
Jazzy Sport RecordsJazzy Sport has been mostly associated with hiphop projects, and let thier producers dip their toes in other styles. Cro-Magnon stood out because they went for all things disco, perfectly suited to the dj sets of Greg Wilson, Maurice Fulton, DJ Harvey, Idjut Boys, to name a new. There is the style of disco you might expect but also thrown in there are influences of funk, reggae and soul. Excited? you should be.
Simon Harrison, 09/06
Cro-Magnon - Great Triangle
Lastrum RecordsCro-Magnon's 'Great Triangle' continues the cosmic disco vibe established on their self titled debut album but touches on other elements along the way to create a far stronger set throughout. The fusion/boogie gems such as 'La Fusion' and 'New Horizon', the down-tempo 'Eclipse' with its rock steady bass line, the Acid House influenced 'Take Me Higher' and the Balearic 'Keep Me Satisfied' all sound good to these ears. Even better though is the monster jazz-funk workout 'Chase After The Storm' which features Soil & Pimp Sessions' Tabu Zombie and Motoharu on trumpet and sax respectively. Think Lonnie Liston Smith's 'Expansions' and you won't be far off the mark!
Andy Allen, 08/07