Music Reviews
Show: New reviews | Artists beginning with: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9 | Compilations
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Various Artists - Beyond Jazz Vol.3 |
| Beyondjazz |
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| A good sign of a quality compilation is when it features artists that you've supported for some time. Before I knew about Volume 3, I was already hammering tracks by Jonny Miller, Joash, Aroop Roy and Masoul. A great start you might say. Well the quality just keeps coming with nine more tracks that include Oracle, Flowriders, Inverse Cinematics, Nemoy and Lava Musique Ensemble. If you've not heard of these artists, well, get your credit cards out and support. You should note that this is only available to download but what a great way to get music out there. Top marks to the guys at Beyond Jazz for putting this together.
Simon Harrison, 12/06 |
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Various Artists - Blue Light Volume 2 |
| Cosmic Sounds |
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| You are in for a treat: two releases from Cosmic sounds in the same month. This the ninth Rare Gems Series and they've drafted in Hungarian experts Tibor Mozsik and Gabor Valyi from the Create Soul Brothers. Volume 1 was mainly 1960's, so this time it's the 1970's and funky fusion. With influences rock, African and Brazilian, it's a mixed bag but every single track is a killer. Once you're got to the end of this amazing compilation you cannot believe that, like a Tom and Jerry cartoon, none of these have dated. I hope there's more gems like this to be found in Hungarian archives. Simon Harrison, 10/05 |
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Various Artists - Bon Voyage -- Rythme-Congolais From Africa Aux Antilles 1963 to 1977 |
| Retro Afric |
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| Excellent compilation of material covering 1965 to 1977. The band had a core line up of the amazing Jerry Malekani on guitar, Freddie Nkounkou and Mbilia Casino on vocals plus in the earlier days Panda Gracia on bass and then, once they moved onto the French Caribbean, Jean Serge Essous on sax. The music was groundbreaking as they mixed many styles including rumba and soukous and then calypso and reggae, this of course was glorious music for the dance floor and this collection comes highly recommended. Graham Radley, 02/09 |
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Various Artists - Boogie Times presents The Great Collectors Vol. 3 |
| Boogie Times |
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| This latest edition of 'The Great Collectors' features a further 12 early to mid 80s independent boogie cuts. As is often the case with tracks from this period, not all of the productions have stood the test of time. However there are some real gems contained within, such as the gospel flavoured 'Lovelight' by Love Light, Eddie Cornelius' 'Release Yourself' plus Gift Of Dreams' 'Better Day' and 'Hold On For Love' from Sho Nuff, both of which have been on my wants list for some time. Takes me back to the good old days of curly perms and formation dancing! Andy Allen, 07/06 |
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Various Artists - Brazilian Beats Brooklyn |
| Mr Bongo Records |
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| Mr Bongo is back with another stunning compilation, which has been put together by Sean Marquand and Greg Caz. It's named after their weekly night in Brooklyn, NYC, a night which must be pretty special judging by the tracklistings here. Twenty two tracks in total which obviously are Brazilian influenced but with sprinklings of soul, funk and disco. Disco is one thing I wouldn't expect to work with a Brazilian vocal but listen to Silvio Casar's "A Festa" and you'll be sure to change your mind. Chalo Eduardo's "Beija-Flor Suite" will blow any dancefloor apart and the rest of the selections are simply top notch. Miss at your peril.
Simon Harrison, 10/06 |
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Various Artists - Broadcite Acetate |
| Broadcite Records |
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| Fourteen cuts tracking vibes and differing yet collective sounds have set an overall tone quite distinctly British, yet fittingly encompasses of these individual acts hereditary roots; spanning genres of jazz, reggae, gospel, Afro, funk, drum & bass, soul and so much in between. This long awaited follow up (the label's this LP) showcases the talented troupe of DJ's, vocalists, MC's and producers birthed out of the now 6 year old club night: Broadcite Basement Sessions. An air of political incorrectness is broached on the smoothly inspirational but almost flippant flow of Leon Williams featured on the Ceramic (aka DJ Magic) produced hi hat sparked and rolling sythn patterned broken track. His big bass line track 'Body Shock' bounces and jumps up with masses of hi hats and drum kit loops, a huge puller for club floors. Magic's third contribution 'Feel The Rush' ably assisted by the blued-eyed Black man Colonel Red is an intelligent broken creation. 'That Touch' (Tempo) hints at seedy bedroom talk with blended minimalist tech house. Contrastingly, Soundbwoy Killer gets tech-twisted with a slightly darker dub element set off by lashing beats and a suitable MC vox sample. Method Unique's bashement club rhythms and popular key synths of 'Superstar' could easily make the UK Top Ten chart. Should that prove to be hampering for anyone's underground charismatic style, two class offerings from up and coming young bucks called Souled; a jazzy tech beat laden 'What Reason Do I Have To Go Back' or the vocally energised soulful house offering 'Waiting' featuring Incognito's Joy Rose are guaranteed to please any discerner of the good groove. Speaking of which, Altered Natives assembly of techy effect inserts, some inspired booming beats and the odd, unmistakable grunts from the late James Brown on 'Tribute' rounds up this session, that is insightful, inclusive, brimming gloriously with optimism and quality (except for a couple of tracks with unnecessary expletives) reflects a part of club land which is all about community, talent and contribution with soul feeling - the UK album market needs more projects like this. Marcia Carr, 12/07 |
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Various Artists - Broadcite presents Unplugged Volume 2:<br>Internal Reflection |
| Broadcite |
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| Reflecting the Broadcite label's own worthy output, this collection serves up the full spectrum of modern electronic soul, from the feel-good Hip-Hop of top female lyricist Voice (as heard on the recent Visioneers album), to Broken Beat gems from the likes of Brown (a CDR discovered talent) and Method Unique. A couple of Future Jazz fillers, which don't quite seem to develop fully, do detract from the CD's overall quality, but this is bolstered by some monstrous Deep House from Yoruba maestro Osunlade - his awesome Gwotet remix and NYC's Quentin Harris. With several of the tracks being CD exclusives, and a welcome showing from Ashley Beedle's much-loved Black Science Orchestra guise, this compilation certainly deserves a listen. Tom Breslin, 04/06 |
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Various Artists - Broadcite Unplugged Volume One |
| Broadcite |
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| I think most of you have heard or read about the Broadcite collective, so I won't go into too much detail but these guys have been around for a number of years, creating their own music scene in London. We are now finally starting to their productions released on their own label and here is their first compilation, which features tracks signed from Public Transit and Sonar Kollektiv. This maintains the idea that anything goes but quality music is Broadcite's number one objective. With tracks that cover just about every style inc. Funk, Broken Beat, Nu Jazz, Electro and Soul, you just can't go wrong, adding this to your musical collection.
Simon Harrison, 06/05 |
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Various Artists - Brownswood Bubblers 3 |
| Brownswood Recordings |
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| For me the bar was raised significantly last year when Gilles Peterson dropped Brownswood Bubblers 2. Now Brownswood Bubblers 1, the first compilation on Gilles new label had some tasty treats but Bubblers 2 was off the charts. I’m not certain that Bubblers 3 is on the same level but it’s not far off. Either way the Brownswood Bubblers series are the compilations that trumps all compilations. There are many excellent selections here as proof such as the soul funk club banger "Turn It Out" by Joey Negro and The Sunburst Band. "How Bout’ Us" by Katalyst is definitely one of the hottest cuts this year thanks to the voice of Steve Spacek. One of the best records I’ve heard that few know about is the ballad "Where would I Be" by Yaw who simply sounds like the second coming of Sam Cooke. Another highlight is the funky spoken word gem "Prayers for Angry Young Men" by Charlie Dark. Once again Gilles has shined the light on underground hits. Let’s hope that a larger audience will take notice. Highly recommended. Reg Dancy, 08/08 |
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Various Artists - Brownswood Bubblers Two |
| Brownswood Recordings |
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| Volume One was full of real quality but the problem for me was that I had bought most of the tracks on there. Volume Two is somewhat different: yes there are a few tracks that I have, but if you don't they are essential, like tracks by Marcina Arnold, Nicola Kramer and Grand Union. The other thirteen artists were mostly unknown to me until recently and myspace has been great getting more information. It's so good to see the excellent "Tea Leaf Dancers" by Flying Lotus with beautiful vocals by Andreya Triana finally see the light of day because it's been on most peoples' wants list for months. You also need to hear tracks by Boomclap Bachelors, Matsi, Middlewood Sessions, Sarah Ann Webb and Daisuke Tanabe's remix of Elan Mehler. Truly essential.
Simon Harrison, 04/07 |
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