Music Reviews
Deborah Jordan - The Light
Futuristica MusicFrom 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.
PermalinkReg Dancy, 06/09
Deborah Jordan - What You See
Futuristica MusicHearing the sound of Deborah Jordan’s voice fulfills your musical palette much in the way the taste our favorite desert satisfies our sweet tooth. The difference is there are no regrets after indulging in Deorah’s music like you would with the desert. We all remember the first time we heard her voice from way back in the day with Silhouette Brown. All she has done since is elevate her collaborations with numerous artists such as Replife, Jneiro Jarel among others. In 2009 she released her debut and now her latest “What You See”, picks up from where she left off. Her recent release contains eleven original compositions and three solid remixes. Among the tasty treats is the title track, a warm earthy mid-tempo track with sun drenched chords. Lyrically “What You See” is about looking what is beyond the surface of a person in search of who’s real and who isn’t. “Lullaby”, produced by Kira Neris is a dreamy atmospheric tune with jazzy soundscapes that will certainly transport you to another place. “See The Light” is another highlight, a mid-tempo tune with a strong groove and pretty melody. There are many more soulful selections to savor and all are exceptionally produced. All three remixes are also superb but if I had to pick one, it would be the Ty Macklin rework of “Slipping Away”, a beautiful down-tempo tune that morphs into a funky two step treat. Overall this is one fabulous record that is equal or even slightly better than “The Light”. One thing is certain is Jordan continues to build an impressive catalogue of timeless quality music for us to enjoy.
Reg Dancy, 03/11
Deep Jazz - Heaven & Earth
Perfect Toy RecordsHailing from Germany , Jerker Kluge and his Deep Jazz ensemble deliver a spirited collection of 60’s inspired jazz that would fit nicely in the Impulse or Blue Note library. Kluge, shifting between double bass and upright bass wrote two of the compositions and co-wrote another (Starlings Talk). The opening title track is a mellow modal number that is driven by Florian Riedl on flute and Julia Fehenberger on vocals. “Black Tiger” is a riveting number that showcases superb soloing by Martin Fredebeul on Soprano sax, followed by Ulrich Wangenheim on bass clarinet and Till Martin on Tenor. The up-tempo bop “Red Smoke” also features the three horn players but it’s the work of pianist Jo Junghanss that steals the show. His inspired playing here and on the other tracks is simply breathtaking. Jerker doesn’t break any new ground here but he succeeds by breathing new life into the genre and the result is timeless music that any jazz enthusiast will enjoy.
Reg Dancy, 02/10
Def Harmonic - All These Worldz
Brilliante RecordsMilwaukee's Jason Todd, Lunaversol9 and Epicenter are back with their second Def Harmonic album which of course features more mad, yet damn funky beats and quality vocals. Jason's voice is not only unique but he switches between rapping and singing seamlessly and works a treat with Lunaversol9's verse. As with all their previous work there is a real fun factor to their lyrics, and the track this style peaks with is the 2005 anthem 'Spaced Out', a track I've been hammering for months. Having checked these guys live at Cargo earlier this year, they are going to be a force to be reckoned with over the coming years. With 'All These Worldz' being the sound of now, why on earth haven't these guys been signed to a major?
Simon Harrison, 12/05
Democustico - Democustico
Far Out RecordingsFirstly I must warn you... there is a dark, filthy, nasty world where Seiji has trodden and from where he has discovered the East-Mental Vocal remix that is far too dangerous for you to encounter... better we confine ourselves to the project that is 'The Album' as safety is paramount. You may have read that the album is a fusion between Brasilian and Asian kaleidoscopes - well even that is a little misleading. FarOut produce some great releases, of which this is one, but with a clear Brasilian umbrella covering their catalogue, so that's where I want you to position yourselves. This is as elegant as you would expect of Joyce; this is as dramatic as you would expect of Grupo Batuque; and this is as gripping as you would expect of Azymuth. Gabriela Geluda's songs are full of timbre and warmth on all eleven pieces here, 'Grito' is powerful stuff indeed (and perhaps why Seiji has picked up on it and.... lets not go there!). 'Vega-Lume' is the band's most recognisable offering and worthy of its place in 2006 alone, 'Rejoycing' is a great bossa splash and 'Nunca Never' is quirky and jumpy - a sit up a take note kind of tune.. Great. So where indeed does Democustico take the listener? For me, who revels in all things Brasilian, it's a class offering from a great label with ever so subtle touches of tambura, pandeiro, rain sticks, bells and cleaver programming, courtesy of Roc Hunter, providing me with an album that will last and last, and something I am confident you would agree with. For those who need a little more encouraging... listen to 'Pera', listen also to 'Brasil' and tell me I'm wrong!
Steve Williams, 11/06
Dennis Ferrer - The World As I See It
Defected RecordsFor the south Bronx resident whose days in production started out with Damon Wild as techno producers back in the early nineties, the shape of Dance music today has developed many changing faces since Dennis's first release. In that time his growth as an in demand producer is of itself testimony to his longevity within a rather fickle industry, but also of his ability to turn his hand at off loading successive dance floor gems of great strength; both in quality and lyrical profoundness and classy with mass appeal; as reflected in his work to date. His God given talents also display in various ways parts of who he is now, what he's grown up on by way of music from many Black artist's of the seventies through to a foray of influences from electronic dance of the eighties as well as dabbling with many West African Hi life sounds that have so complemented much of his classic works of the late nineties and beyond. Capturing all of the aforementioned elements and more is where is his debut double long player for King Street records comes in, so much so that a timely UK home for its release on Defected records was without question a must. For every track written and produced by Dennis bar a few co-written numbers, his skill for writing songs be it on the r & b crooning of "I Can't Imagine", the Philadelphia enthused resonance of "Change The World" featuring Karlon Brooks Sr., or the accolades of poetical reasoning that is "Underground Is My Home", or the gospel-leanings of "How Do I Let Go" and "Run Free" reveal that speaking from the heart is the key to Ferrer's success. It's having a conscious to speak about the things that matter combined with a key bass line of simplicity that have made the status of the rather emotive opening cut 'Church Lady' the pinnacle of club hits of all the major dance floors around the world. From start to finish each track stands up for itself with a voice that has much to say as the booming bass driven beats of 'P 2 Da J' suggests, also the sublime techno and Afro tribal injections of 'Transitions' favoured by many DJ's it blurred the lines of all house genres, just like the infectious organ thrills of 'Son Of Raw' a rampant foot stomp of a tune if ever there was such a template to hold up. Bonus cuts on CD are classic bullet tracks, no fillers but pure thrillers on this totally competent and impressive offering. It may be the world as Ferrer sees it but when others can see where you are coming from and share your sentiments things can only keep getting better for him and his fans.
Marcia Carr, 04/07
Diamond District - In The Ruff
Oddisee MusicThe cover of Diamond District’s new album displays an abstract picture of the White House but there lies a world that while only a few miles away feels like light years away for the people who live in it. Fortunately for us we have three guys from the DC area to wax poetic on their city the way they see it. Diamond District is the brainchild of rapper/producer Oddisee along with members X.O and YU. Together they represent the nation’s capitol with raw uncut hip-hop with “In the ruff”. Oddisee adeptly blends gritty beats with soulful grooves while providing tales of life in the district (Washington D.C.) and the obstacles to rise above it. All three members display great chemistry and their rhyming skills are definitely on point as they trade verses off one another. The opening track “Streets won’t let me chill” is about man’s struggle to stay on the straight path without succumbing to negative elements around him. “I mean business” is an absolute banger that utilizes the Gang Starr classic “Mass Appeal” with great results. The title track “In the Ruff” serves as a reminder to the crew to never give up their quest to live the high life. Overall, “In the ruff” deserves an A for hard hitting beats, supreme production by Oddisee and thought provoking lyrics. If you like that boom bap hip-hop in the mode of Pete Rock or J Dilla then this cd is definitely for you.
Reg Dancy, 10/09
Dick Gaughan - Gaughan Live! at the Trades Club
GreentraxA venue and artist who are perfectly suited with Dick always closing his autumn tour of England and Wales with a date at this famous Hebden Bridge venue. Starting with Si Kahn’s ‘What You Do With What You’ve Got’ followed by Brian McNeil’s ‘No Gods’ there’s 13 tracks in all ending with Dick’s own ‘Both Sides The Tweed’. Inspiring.
Graham Radley, 06/08
Diesler - Diggin
Tru Thoughts RecordingsTwo years ago I received the compilation 'Shapes One' from Tru Thoughts, which featured un-signed artists of unbelievable quality. The one track that stood out for me was 'Cotton Wool', produced by an artist called Diesler and I knew he was going to be an artist to watch out for. Two years down the line and the 20 year old producer from Lancashire finally releases his debut LP on Tru Thoughts. The album kicks off with the now classic for me 'Cotton Wool' and the quality never drops with anthems like 'Burnley Wallet' and 'Heist Theme'. As you'd expect he mixes up the styles which blow any dancefloor apart and the perfect sound track for the summer. The album is released on CD format with all tracks available for vinyl junkies through three separate EP's.
Simon Harrison, 05/05
Diesler - Keepie Uppies
Tru Thoughts RecordingsHow times fly when you're having fun: It's amazingly only been one year since Jonathan Radford Diesler dropped his debut "Diggin It Somethin Rotten", which I can assure you has been a big favourite around these parts. I've been hammering the new single "Charmed" and was really looking forward to hearing where Jonathan was going to take us this time. There are some joints that continue from where "Diggin" left us, with those dirty funk bassline instrumentals and horns stabs, which we know and love. The main change is the excellent vocalists that include: Laura Vane, Double Yellow and Joseph Malik. All compliment the productions perfectly, and if you like "Charmed", you're in for a treat because there are more vocals hooks and lyrics that will be running around in your head for weeks.
Simon Harrison, 04/06