Basic Soul - It's all about the music.

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

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 >

1st Magic / D'Nell D'Nell - 1st Magic
BBE Records
I've been looking forward to hearing D'nell's debut album for along time now, ever since Young Lee played the exclusive of "I Read About" on Basic Soul in March 2004. It's been a long time but it's been well worth the wait. D'Nell are long time partners producer, Dan Jones and beautiful vocalist Ellie Hajee. Featuring some wonderful grooves that continue to grow on you, even after listening to this for a week. Listen to "I Read About" and you'll buy this on the album version alone.

Simon Harrison, 08/05
Two/Three / Dabrye Dabrye - Two/Three
Ghostly
Dabrye will be known to most people because of "Game Over" featuring Jay Dee (RIP) which had the darkest beats know to man. Part two of Dabrye's three part album series takes influences from his home town Detroit and continues to push the boundaries with not only hip hop but also electronic music. With a massive list of top of their game MCs aka Waajeed, MF Doom, Wildchild, Beans amongst others, this is the kind of music the masses need to hear, rather than the jiggy nonsense that is featured on our air waves and blasting out of young kids car speakers. Forward thinking and all the better for it.

Simon Harrison, 06/06
Crossing Point / Daimh Daimh - Crossing Point
Greentrax Recordings
A second album, and a great new singer in Gaelic vocalist Calum Alex MacMillan who joins Angus MacKenzie, Colm O’Rua, Gabe McVarish, James Bremner and Ross Martin who are variously from the Scottish West Highlands, Cape Breton, Ireland and America. Produced by Iain MacDonald who adds flute and whistle on several tracks, plus some excellent guests - Anxo Lorenzo (Galician gaitas, Baroque recorder), Xose Liz de Cea (bouzouki, lute) and The Clachnabrochan Gaelic Choir. Very good.

Graham Radley, 09/07
Open Scenes / Dalindeo Dalindeo - Open Scenes
Ricky-Tick Records
It's been a long time coming but Dalindeo's debut album is now finally with us. The Brazilian influenced Finnish jazz sextet impressed with their first 12" 'Poseidon/Solifer-Lento' and their follow up 'Go Ahead, Float/Voodoo'. Sadly though 'Go Ahead, Float' hasn't made it on to the album at all and 'Poseidon' and 'Voodoo' only appear on the CD version. There is however plenty here to keep your attention such as the beautifully orchestrated 'Samba Da-Li' and 'Non-Stop Flight', a gorgeous bossa cut featuring Japanese vocalist Michiko. Michiko also graces 'Tsunami' and the immaculate waltz 'Empty Fruits', which for me is the album's finest moment.

Andy Allen, 06/07
Toeachizown / Dam Funk Dam Funk - Toeachizown
Stones Throw Records
After sprinkling several singles over the past year, LA’s Dam Funk releases his much anticipated debut “Toeachizown”. Dam Funk has crafted a funk album that features 80’s synth arrangements reminiscent of pioneers like Zapp, Cameo and a little touch of Prince. The difference is that he has successfully composed his own signature modern funk sound that he can call his own. “Toeachizown” takes on many different moods, from earthy mid-tempo grooves to up-tempo in your face funk. There’s many tracks to savor such as the ambient “Come on Outside” which displays his wizardry with drum programming. “Brookside Park” is a near 10 minute instrumental that would be the perfect leisurely drive jam on a lazy afternoon. “Searchin’ 4 funk’s future” gives a nod to Dam’s love house music. Just imagine Mr Fingers laying down some G-funk and this might be the result. Like past funkateers before him, Dam Funk also proves to be a very capable balladeer, as evidenced on the track “I wanna thank you for”. Overall, “Toeachizown” succeeds by revitalizing a piece of the boogie funk grooves of the past and making it sound relevant today. This is very enjoyable and refreshing debut by an artist poised to make a lot of noise in 2010.

Reg Dancy, 03/10
Highlands / Damon Aaron Damon Aaron - Highlands
Ubiquity Records
Los Angeles based Damon Aaron’s debut “Highlands is a dreamy collection of folksy soul tunes that is sure to put you in a melancholy mood. Damon’s lyrics reflect on life, love and the relationships he has experienced over an acoustic guitar, bluesy chords and lazy hip hop beats. Damon doesn’t have an overpowering voice but his light laidback tone suits the melodic compositions like “Floating” and “Firstlove” perfectly. These songs feature hypnotic electric guitar riffs against a backdrop of spaced out synths. “Clouds” starts out with a nice reggae flavored beat before settling into a lighthearted acoustic folk gem with well placed horns. As much as Damon’s vocals shine here, his skills as a songwriter and sole producer of this project transforms it into a sublime electronic utopia. After working behind the scenes for many years, “Highlands” is a nice coming out party for this multi-talented artist.

Reg Dancy, 12/08
The Mouse And The Mask / Dangerdoom Dangerdoom - The Mouse And The Mask
Lex Records
I'd been looking forward to this coming out a long time before its general release. The combination of one of my favourite rappers with one of the World's hottest producers surely wouldn't fail? I was right.

This album has more of an up-tempo vibe for old Metal Face with the addition of some superb guest MC's:- Ghostface appears on 'The Mask', Cee Lo's on 'Benzie Box' and Talib Kwali features on my favourite track on the script - 'Old School', which does exactly what it says on the tin.

The whole album is scattered around the US cartoon 'Adult Swim'. There are skits-a-plenty featuring the voices of Adult Swim characters and these are not only humourous but fit like a glove with the rest of the long player.

The basslines are fat, the lyrics are 'Sofa King' good, it just gel's. This is without doubt my Hip Hop album of zero five.

You like doom? You'll like this. You like good quality non-commercial Hip Hop? You'll like this. If you don't buy this album your stupid!!!

Jax, 12/05
Insight / David Borsu David Borsu - Insight
Counterpoint Records
Here is a producer and DJ who's been on the scene for many years pushing quality music in his city of Liege in Belgium. Counterpoint recognised such a great talent and wisely snapped up David's debut. 'Insight' builds over the 70mins, as a DJ should build up a crowd, starting off with some Jazzy cuts, through mid tempo workouts, to house anthems 'Move' and 'Hustle The Funk'. For the last 6 months I've been hammering to death the Broken Beat anthem 'Mannequin Mankind'. Watching people dance to this mental track with devastating beats and basslines is pure entertainment. The ace Mark De Clive-Low remix of 'Move' is included if you missed out on the recent single but make sure you don't miss out on this.

Simon Harrison, 03/06
Kabar / Davy Sicard Davy Sicard - Kabar
Warner
Originally from the island of La Reunion but now based in France, Davy’s music is sourced from the Reunionais folk dance ‘Maloya’ which is an amalgm of African slave chants and rhythms plus contemporary European instruments. The special ingredient though is Davy’s beautiful voice which glides across the music like a scrumptious coating, pure sweet and expressive. Good stuff.

Graham Radley, 05/09
The Light / Deborah Jordan Deborah Jordan - The Light
Futuristica Music
From the moment she premiered on the Silhouette Brown project back in 2005, Deborah Jordan has left an everlasting impression on her fans with her honey drenched angelic voice. She has gone on to record with talented musicians like Robert Mitchell, Jneiro Jarel and countless others. We’ve all wondered when we would receive a full length album from her. Finally our patience is rewarded with “The Light”. Quite simply, “The Light” is a wonderful record that features an all-star line-up of producers such as Atjazz, Don Ray, Spoonface and Simon S. It’s hard to pick a standout track since this is such a satisfying listen from start to finish but we’ll try our best. For starters there’s “Brought to life”, produced by Electric Conversation, an organic slice of electro soul. Then there’s “Home” a beautiful down-tempo duet with Rep Life. “One” is an acoustic flavored treat that features Colonel Red. “Let it go” is a classic Atjazz production, gorgeous melody and chilled out soulful electronic beats. Simply put, “The Light” has it all, compositions that capture the warmth in Deborah’s voice and razor sharp production that never allows a dull moment. This is a must have record and another crown jewel from Futuristica music.

Reg Dancy, 06/09
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 >