Music Reviews
Various Artists - Pound For Pound 2 - Jazzy Sport Top Team
Jazzy SportJazzy Sport is now synonymous with cool as you like, under the radar beats in all forms and the ‘Pound for Pound 2’ compilation is a simple, no messing demonstration of exactly why that is. We’re treated to new Soul, Latin-Jazz Funk, mid-tempo Detroit House, Tech-House, and lashings of Hip-Hop (some in English, some in Japanese and some purely instrumental), from the likes of Ras G, Cro-Magnon, Ta’raach, Gagle, DJ Mitsu, Grooveman Spot and Jazztronik (whose wonky, electro-Samba stormer, ‘Warp’ is just superb). My highlight comes in the shape of ‘The Digital Church’, a groovy, head-nodding soul number from London’s very own Leon King (this man deserves to be a star) that sounds like Jazzy Jeff producing Dwele at his best. All in all then, a great collection that manages to maintain the quality of the first ‘Pound for Pound’ set, released back in 2006.
PermalinkTom Breslin, 10/08
Various Artists - Pure Fire! A Gilles Peterson Impulse Collection
Impulse!Gilles delves into the Impulse archives and surfaces with a fine and varied selection. On the spiritual tip there's Pharoah Sanders' 'Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah' with vocalist Leon Thomas, Michael White's 'The Blessing Song' from his 1972 'Pnuema' album, the Abbey Lincoln fronted 'Lonesome Lover' by Max Roach and the inspirational 'Wise One' from John Coltrane. Art Blakey represents with the firing 'Alamode' and the quality continues with the likes of Oliver Nelson's 'Patterns', 'Three Flowers', a gorgeous waltz by McCoy Tyner, Milt Jackson & Ray Brown's dreamy 'Enchanted Lady' and the gentle bossa of 'See You Later' from Dave Mackay & Vicky Hamilton. And to top it all off, Yusef Lateef's take of 'First Gymnopedie', one of the most beautiful pieces to have ever graced these ears.
Andy Allen, 11/06
Various Artists - Putumayo presents 'Women of the World'
Putumayo World MusicEleven tracks that start with French film star Sandrine Kiberlan and ends with Canada's Wailin' Jennys. A nice mixture, with the acoustic approach being the common thread and demonstrating the superb range of female voices out there, the release is timed to tie in with International Women's Day. This range and quality is illustrated nicely by Kaissa from Cameroon and the equally delightful Mona from Algeria who shows another side to her from the more often heard rap. Good collection.
Graham Radley, 03/07
Various Artists - Putumayo presents - Latin Jazz
Putumayo World MusicMostly centred around USA, Cuba and Puerto Rico (although Iceland is represented!) we get ten great tracks, here's a few of those names: Machito with Cannonball Adderley, Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Hilton Ruiz and my favourite here-The Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmierir Project with the 8mins 51 secs of joy that is 'Guajira Dubois'. Tasty.
Graham Radley, 07/07
Various Artists - Putumayo presents A Jazz & Blues Christmas
PutumayoOnly real Xmas release we’ve had through this year, a well rounded collection that has Ray Charles doing ‘Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer’ and the intriguingly titled ‘Wrap Yourself in a Christmas Package’ which I’ve not heard of before but was apparently first brought out in 1961 by Charles Brown (who is featured on this CD with ‘Santa’s Blues), here it’s covered by Randy Greer and Ignasi Terraza Trio. Other tracks come courtesy of Mighty Blue Kings, Riff Riffin, The Dukes of Dixieland, Ramsey Lewis, Emilie-Claire Barlow and BB King.
Graham Radley, 12/08
Various Artists - Putumayo presents A New Groove
Putumayo World MusicArtists from Denmark, USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Germany, Australia, France & UK. The feel is laid back beats inspired on a jazzy tip but that only paints part of the picture, a couple of tracks that illustrate things best are the Kid Loco remix of Thievery Corporation's 'Until The Morning' and K-OS with 'Crabbuckit'. Like it!
Graham Radley, 03/07
Various Artists - Putumayo presents Acoustic Arabia
Putumayo World MusicGreat mix of artists on this collection with Jamal Porto and Rasha from the Sudan, Les Orientales, Souad Massi and Maurice El Medioni from Algeria, Zaman from Palestine, Zein Al-Jundi from Syria, Charbel Rouhana and Hani Siblini from Lebanon, Mousto Largo from Morocco and Tiris from Western Sahara. Superb traditional music, highly recommended.
Graham Radley, 10/08
Various Artists - Putumayo presents Acoustic France
Putumayo World MusicCollection of singer songwriters with chanson and nouvelle scene coming back into focus again, indeed with some links to the past, for instance Thomas Dutronc, featured here with ‘J’suis Pas d’ici’ is the son of francois Hardy and Jacques Dutronc. The French connection stretches to Canada too with Pascal Lejeune whilst Rupa & The April Fishes (reviewed earlier) are based in the US. My pick though is Constance Amiot with ‘Clash Dans Le Tempo’.
Graham Radley, 09/08
Various Artists - Putumayo presents Americana
Putumayo World MusicNice little collection this which features material from RobinElla, Mulehead, The Little Willies, Robert Earl Keen, Eliza Lynn, Old Crow Medicine Show, Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, Tim O'Brien, Alison Brown, Terri Hendrix, Josh Ritter and Ruthie Foster.
Graham Radley, 08/07
Various Artists - Putumayo presents Café Cubano
PutumayoGuajiras, trovas and boleros from Jose Conde y Ola Fresca, Ignacio ‘Mazacote’ Carrillo, Pedro Luis Ferrer, Rene Ferrer, La Orquestra Magica De La Habana, German Obregon, Armando Garzon, Asere, Felix Baloy and Kelvis Ochoa. It is of course very good.
Graham Radley, 07/08