Music Reviews
Various Artists - Rough Guide To Latin Street Party
World Music Network15 tracks across the board from the opening track of Jesus Pagan y su Orquesta’s salsa dura to the salsa meets rap and reggaeton of Magic Juan feat. Puerto Rican Power, plenty more keeping the party flowing including Los De Abajo, Sidestepper, Ricardo Lemvo and a great take on Bill Withers ‘Use Me’ by Alex Wilson feat. Lauren Dalrymple. Great.
PermalinkGraham Radley, 10/08
Various Artists - Rough Guide To The Music of Japan
World Music Network18 tracks which bring a whole wealth and diversity of Japanese music to life but often take it off into unexpected directions which we like a lot. my picks would have to be Oki Dub Ainu Band’s ‘East Of Kunashri’ and Shibusashirazu’s ‘Akkan’, oh and make sure you listen to Takeharu Kunimoto & The Last Frontier’s ‘Appalchian Shamisen. Superb.
Graham Radley, 08/08
Various Artists - Rough Guide to the music of North African Cafe
World Music NetworkBrilliant start with Algeria's Akli D's 'Barman' with 13 further tracks that also take us through Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. Some great names and music with Maurice El Medioni, El Tanbura, Les Orientales and Adel Gadir Salim amongst those featured. Pick out tracks are Smadj presents S.O.S Project's 'Hat' and Cheb Balowski's 'El Dia'. Excellent.
Graham Radley, 08/07
Various Artists - Rough Guide to the music of Salsa
World Music Network13 tracks that includes salsa heavyweights like Jimmy Bosch and Wayne Gorbea, African influenced son from Kekele and Ricardo Lemva, contemporary beat influences from Alex Wilson and full on dance floor from Fruko Y Sus Tesos. Tracks also from Macolla, Cubanoson, Sonora Carruseles, Angel Melendez, Grupo Caribe, Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos and Bio Ritmo. Good collection.
Graham Radley, 08/07
Various Artists - Rough Guide to the music of Vietnam
World Music NetworkA lot of new music to me here and so very varied including Huong Thanh who gently infuses jazz into Vietnamees traditional music while Thanh Quy keeps it traditional with a quan ho song illustrating Vietnam’s oldest singing tradition. Taking us in an entirely different direction is Blue Asia, featuring dan bao player Thuy Hanh getting down and dirty with the blues - wonderful and the truly wild closing track - a live version of Ghost Riders In The Sky by Dan Bao Vietnam (remember when you listen to this that the dan bao only has one string!). Highly recommended.
Graham Radley, 08/07
Various Artists - Scattered Snares Vol 2
Twisted FunkThis is one I've been really looking forward to after hearing the snips on the Twisted Funk label website, and boy does it deliver. Marc Mac compiles the finest selection of the best broken beats you'll hear in 2007, produced by some of the biggest players in the bruk scene. Yes they're just about all here: Somatik, Cyberworks, Mark Force, Jonny Miller, Seiji, Hopper, Nu Era, Dr Stepper, Sonar Circle aka Domu and of course two tracks from Marc Mac. If you need any more convincing, I give up.
Simon Harrison, 02/07
Various Artists - Searching For Soul
Luv N' HaightSubtitled ‘Rare & Classic Soul, Funk And Jazz From Michigan 1968-1980’, this compilation showcases just a small selection of the countless records which originated from the North American state. On small independent labels with low budgets and often limited distribution, many of these records were largely overshadowed by the hit making machine of Detroit’s Motown. However, there’s no denying the talent of these artists particularly on tracks such as Dee Edwards’ outstanding soul stepper ‘(I Can) Deal With That’. In fact it’s the album’s soul cuts which really shine through for me. Try Burning Desire’s ‘Why She Had To Go’, a funky mid-pacer, the slow motion grinding groove of ‘Trust Me’ from Aged In Harmony or Wendell Harrison’s wonderful bright and breezy soul/jazz offering ‘Take Time Out’ for solid examples of what it is.
Andy Allen, 11/05
Various Artists - Secret Love 3
Sonar KollektivHere's the third instalment of the Secret Love series compiled by Jazzanova and Resoul, who have been on the hunt for more gems from the folk scene. A number of them you will/should know: The Beauty Room, Micah, Clara Hill, Mocky, Fink and Jose Gonzalez. The rest were unknown to me but it has opened my ears up to this side of Folk, which is gaining interest with DJs around the world. I read a lot about Soul Village's version of "Everybody Love The Sunshine" and even though we've heard the original many times before, it does work. I'm not going to highlight the best of the other tracks because they are worth their weight in gold and you'll be the one missing out.
Simon Harrison, 11/06
Various Artists - Secret Love 4
Sonar KollektivThe fourth volume in the 'Secret Love' series and yet another quality selection of modern tripped-out folk delights. Midlake's 'Roscoe (Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve Mix)', 'Duet' by Breaks Co-Op, Roe Beck's 'Atlantic' and 'The Loved' from Paul Weller are tracks I was previously unfamiliar with but all instantly hit the spot. Also included is Clara Hill's 'About You' from her new 'Folkwaves' album, 'Down Down' by Thief, Nostalgia 77's Little Steps and 'Twice' by Yukimi Nagano's new project Little Dragon.
Andy Allen, 10/07
Various Artists - Secret Love 5
Sonar KollektivThe Secret Love compilations have been successful at unearthing some of the highest quality of folk music from around the world. The trend continues with their fifth installment. As usual, the selections are a mixture of acoustic and electronic compositions and the results are sublime and peaceful. Some of the highlights are “Broken Promises” by Quiet Village, a dreamy cinematic slice of downtempo soul with strings. Recloose’s “Deep Waters” receives an alternate take, this time as an acoustic tune which works well when you have the velvet voice of Joe Dukie. “Down Down” by Thief also receives a makeover, courtesy of Philip Owusu, thereby turning this pop folk tune into a downtempo soul groover. For some danceable folk we are treated to The Rubies “I Feel Electric”. Tiedeye remixes this track into a funky electro pop tune that displays some percolating bass playing by Teri Loewenthal, soothing vocals by Simone Rubi and a guest appearance by Feist. With fifteen tracks here, Jazzanova takes us on a musical adventure through the many variations of modern day folk music. You will definitely enjoy the ride.
Reg Dancy, 09/08