Music Reviews
Various Artists - 12 inches of Pleasure
BBE RecordsBBE strikes again with 12 inches of pleasure, the compilation featuring previously unreleased remixed vinyl records that you probably wanted but was unable to get before now. The third installment in this series is a diverse collection that includes some soulful grooves and blazing house tracks that are certain to move your feet and lift your spirits. The disc jumps off with Nick Van Gelder’s “Brighter Star”, an organic jazz flavored soulful beauty that features the underrated Marcia Arnold on vocals. J-Live comes out fired up on the Katalyst track “Killing Ya Self”. In addition to that we have the Abicah Soul remix of ultra talented percussionist Luisito Quintero’s “Music for Gong Gong”. Roy Ayers “Brand New Feeling” continues to receive new life after sitting in the vaults for almost twenty years. It re-emerged on the BBE Ubiquity Remixed album a few years ago and has become a favorite of many ever since. The sting international controversy mix transforms what was a sexy seductive slow burner into a percolating house track. It can’t be overstated the tremendous work that BBE has done in reviving not only the obscure 12” vinyl but the other compilations released this year as well. Don’t sleep, you’re going to really enjoy this one.
PermalinkReg Dancy, 12/09
Various Artists - 4Hero ...Mixing
Sonar KollektivThe third release in a series of mixing compilations from the Jazzanova label. Dego of 4Hero takes us on a musical journey with an assortment of funk, soul and hip-hop classics from the seventies to the present. Classics like Patrice Rushen’s “Message In The Music” fit nicely along side Georgia Anne Muldrow’s “Blackman”. Dego takes it back to the electronic synth era of the eighties with Two Sisters “High Noon”. He follows that up with a track he produced himself, Face’s “Act Like All Is Right”. Other highlights is the sound of Detroit that is sprinkled throughout this disc by the likes Dabrye, Wajeed and the late J. Dilla. The one downside to this disc is that the total time of forty two minutes feels like a tease when it comes to the end. This is one minor quibble to an otherwise entertaining cd. A disc that manages to relive many moments in the evolution of black music.
Reg Dancy, 02/08
Various Artists - A Slice Of Paradise Vol.1
Fusionova021 RecordsInspired by the parties held at beach bar Xiringuito in Playa Del Postiguet, Alicante, Spain, this 5 CD package features mixes from a selection of DJs who have graced it's decks. With offerings from Biggabush, Nick Matthews, Gav Smith, Ben Mono and resident (and the man behind Fusionova021 Records) Enrique Domenech, you know this is going to be tasty. Nick Matthews' selection features the Yam Who? remixes of Alison Crockett's 'UR' and Amp Fiddler's 'Dreamin' along with the brilliant 'Nocturne' from David Borsu and Sidewinder's 'The Adventure [Version #2]'. Intuit's 'Crianca Das Ondas', Mojo Project's 'Where Is The Butterfly [Break Reform Mix]' and Break Reform's own 'Medusa [Dynamic Syncopation Mix]' turn up on Enrique's mix. It's the Gav Smith disc which is my favourite though, with tracks from his own Pantone label like Jazztronik's 'Froro' and 'In The Morning' by Jafrosax feat Vikter Duplaix. There's also the Spiritual South mixes of Paul Murphy's 'Jazz Room' and 'Veja O Sol' from A Bossa Electrica, plus Antonio Ocasio's 'Blessed'. I've never been to Xiringuito but if this is the sort of stuff they're playing then I think I need to pay a visit and taste a slice of paradise for myself.
Andy Allen, 10/05
Various Artists - Abstract Blue Recordings Vol.1
Abstract Blue RecordingsI believe this will be the last release on this excellent and constant label, and what a way to finish its reign of everything soulful. Here is a mix of unreleased and essential tracks from the back catalogue. Of course Break Reform appears, but here are the essential remixes by Domu, Unknown Quality and Yam Who? Nanar sounds so, so good on unreleased tracks with Low Budget Soul, Kamara and the classic, but rare, Aztec Productions. Other tracks worth mentioning are Low Budget Soul featuring Marcia Escoffery and the Break Reform remix of Alison Evelyn's 'Found A New Thing'. This may be the end of Abstract Blue, but Simon S and collective will be back with new label Futuristica very soon: roll on 2006.
Simon Harrison, 03/06
Various Artists - African Reggae: Putumayo
PutumayoTracks from Cote d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau. Ba Cissoko with Tiken Jah Fakoly give us the sweet melodic side of reggae with ‘On Veut Se Marier’ while Majek Fashek’s ‘Man Of Sorrow’ has a real feel of Marley. Very good.
Graham Radley, 02/09
Various Artists - Afro Rock Vol.1
Strut RecordsOnce again the folks at Strut records have dug up and dusted off a hidden gem. Afro Rock Vol.1 features hard to find music out of East Africa from the 60’s and 70’s. Originally released on Duncan Brooker’s Kona label in 2001, the music will now have a wider audience to educate on just how prominent the soul and funk scene was in the Motherland. Some of the talent to emerge during that scene is Gerado Pinto. Known as the Nigerian James Brown, Gerado and The Heartbeats bring the funk on the energetic organ grinding “Heavy Heavy Heavy”. On “Africa”, they bring the tempo down considerably and create a spirited jazz inspired gem. “Mebala” is a mid-tempo guitar driven funk track that is reminiscent of prominent rhythm sections of that era. Overall “Afro Rock Vol. 1” is an entertaining polyrhythmic blend of Afican rhythms and seventies soul influences. This is essential World music that shouldn’t be missed.
Reg Dancy, 08/10
Various Artists - Americana-Rock Your Soul
BBEBBE has been very busy dropping a number of quality compilations and there are many that demand your immediate attention, “Blued Eyed Soul and Sounds from The Land of The Free” however isn’t one of them. This compilation of soft rock and soulful grooves courtesy of Zafar Chowdhry and Mark Taylor provides a few moments of enjoyment starting with Eric Tagg’s “Living off the Love” and Tender Leaf’s “Coast to Coast” which features a nice falsetto voice floating over a nice rhythm guitar and keys. In addition, Midnight Flyer’s “I Just Want To Love You” is a nice soft rock soul tune would’ve been spiced up if left in the hands of, say Shuggie Otis, of whom it reminded me of. Instead it starts out with a little fire and fades with a fizzle. After that you’re left with tunes like “Can’t Hide Love” by Jaye P. Morgan that will make no one forget the EWF original. “I Got the Feelin’” is symbolic of most of the tracks here: a mediocre soulful pop tune with good intentions but doesn’t have the grooves that will make you want to play it again. I got the feeling that if you’re looking for quality soulful sounds you will find plenty of alternatives within the BBE catalogue that will live up to the billing.
Reg Dancy, 10/11
Various Artists - Amplified presents Dirty Soul Electric
BBEThe title says it all, this isn’t some stand in the corner and look pretty kind of funk. This is pop your collar and break out in a sweat kind of funk. Zak Akhimien and Jean Claude Mighty have formed Amplified, a platform to showcase some of the most progressive forward thinking soul music on the scene today. I’m always a bit wary of compilations but I’m feelin the roster these guys have put together here. For starters, we have Tiombe Lockhart with the wicked funky rock infused “You Need Me”. We also have two of soul music’s up and coming talents here. St Louis native Coultran lays his soft smooth vocals down on “Girl Of My Dreams” and Bilal Salaam is equally impressive on “Noohustle”. Another one of my favorite artists on the comeup is Muhsinah. Muhsinah’s voice may remind many of Georgia Anne Muldrow. Her offering of “Construction” is a great example of the wealth of talent that is on the horizon. In fact “Dirty Soul Electric” would be a great way to introduce yourself to quite possibly the future of soul music. Based on this very enjoyable record, the future is in very good hands.
Reg Dancy, 09/08
Various Artists - Audio Formation
Pin Cushion RecordsScarborough is not a town you'd usually associate with hip hop but Kista has been causing quite a stir with his DJ sets, graffiti work and productions. Just for starters you must check out his "Talk with God" which featured Tableek from the excellent Maspyke. The twelve tracks here are sourced by Kista and are an ace selection of laid back hip hop instrumentals by artists from all over Europe. Many of the names will be unknown to you but that shouldn't detract you from the quality beats. The artist work has been created by Breakface who's done illustrations for Lowdown and Wax Poetics magazines, which adds to the finishing touch.
Simon Harrison, 01/07
Various Artists - Basement Soul: Sounds From The Floor Vol.1
Unique UncutIn the current climate in the music industry there is a lot of uncertainty with independants. So it's always great to see people start new labels and continue to push quality music. Basement Soul is a club night based in Brighton and this is their debut but it's as though they've been at it for years. Exclusives from Jneiro Jarel, Soulphiction, Yellowtail and Max Cole aka Moxo Tengu. It's also fantastic to see Vaceo's "Cos You're Here" and Masoul's "Knowledge" with Ursula Rucker finally get a release. This is one Friday night session I need to visit.
Simon Harrison, 04/07