Music Reviews
DJ Devastate - Movement-Silence
BBE RecordsA veteran on the UK scene for over fifteen years, DJ Devastate has been a student as well as a pioneer in the hip-hop game. Devastate has followed the likes of Marly Marl, DJ Premier and Pete Rock and in the process cultivated his own sound. With his debut, Devastate has created a laidback hip-hop gem with jazzy rhythms that would make followers of the native tongues period proud. The entire disc takes you back to a time when all was well in the world of hip-hop. It’s clear that Devastate has been sharpening his production skills during his hiatus because the compositions throughout are flawless. With no mc’s on board, “Movement-Silence” is comprised sunny instrumental beat gems combined with well placed sampling. Some of the highlights include “The Motion”, a funky track with a wicked kick snare drum beat. “Don’t Sop” is a jazzy number that features a popular Common sample. “Taken it slow” is a hazy mid-tempo banger that has a simple beat but provides the right amount of samples and catchy hooks to make it shine. Kudos to DJ Devastate for crafting a soulful hip-hop treat you can chill to. While he doesn’t break any new ground here his attention to detail towards crafting quality beats will force you to add this to your cd rotation.
PermalinkReg Dancy, 12/09
DJ Mitsu The Beats - A Word To The Wise
Jazzy SportEver since he burst onto the with his solo project “A New beginning”, DJ Mitsu has made a name for himself not only as one of the premiere dj’s in Japan but worldwide. His latest full length release, “A Word to the Wise” offers a little bit of everything that adds up to an outstanding record. DJ Mitsu features some of hip-hop’s most sought after rappers like the underrated Maspyke on “Playing with Crime”, complete with clever wordplay and dope beats. One rapper whose stock continues to rise is Detroit’s own Elzhi. On “Get’em Up” he displays his lyrical prowess over a neck snapping beat. Jose James drops by to add his warm velvet voice to the wonderful “Promise In Love”. Other highlights include the funky “The Game Changer” by Wildchild and Georgia Anne Muldrow. “Dim Skyline” is an instrumental bamger that features Mark De Clive Lowe on keys. “A Word To The Wise” is that rare recording where there is nary a weak track amongst eighteen selections. As good as “A New Beginning” was, this one is significantly better. It would be very wise would be to pick this up, you won’t be disappointed.
Reg Dancy, 09/09
DJ Spinna - Intergalactic Soul
Papa RecordsI first picked up on DJ Spinna back when he was producing hip hop and it was a great surprise to me and probably the house heads: that all of a sudden he was knocking out quality house productions equal to, if not better than some of the masters of the 4/4 beat. This was strengthened by the release of "We Can Change This World" featuring Heavy, which has been blowing dancefloors apart for a few months now and set to be a massive summer hit. It's not all uptempo with guests like Little Brother's Phonte, N'Dea Davenport, Eric Roberson and Lizz Fields these tracks just ooze soul. The latter half picks up the tempo with yet more quality vocalists including Trish Angus, Christian Urich from Tortured Soul and the Free Radikalz. Spinna proves yet again his versatility with a cracking second album.
Simon Harrison, 06/06
DJ Spinna & BBE Soundsystem - Strange Things & Funky Things Vol.5
BBE RecordsDJ Spinna continues to dig in the crates in order to shine the light on the underground soul and rare grooves of the seventies with satisfying results. “Strange Things & Funky Things Vol.5” is jam packed with an assortment of tasty treats you may or may not be familiar with but you’ll no doubt enjoy them. The disc starts out with the silky seductive “Sweet Stuff” by Sylvia. This is definitely a dim the lights and hold your lady tight track. “Capricorn Rising” is one of those quality timeless tracks that slips through the cracks and you’re left wondering why. This is a wonderful jazz infused record by Richard Evans reminiscent of Charles Stepney’s arrangements with Earth, Wind & Fire. Other highlights include the afro-Latin rhythmic “War Is Coming” by War and “Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone” by CK Mann & his Carousel 7. The latter is a thirteen minute medley of deep and funky Afrobeat rhythms that is essential listening. Overall DJ Spinna has created a tremendous passage into an era where quality recordings were the rule and not the exception. Need an immediate soul and funk injection, you’ll be wise to pick this one up.
Reg Dancy, 12/10
DJ Vadim - The Soundcatcher
BBE RecordsBack again with new material, and DJ Vadim has been working hard, because there are 17 tracks here, with no fillers or interludes. What's more, if you like one song, I think you'll probably like them all, for The Soundcatcher maintains a certain summery style and feel-good factor throughout that makes it a perfect head-bobbing, relaxing-on-the-beach album. The beats are generally of a Hip Hop nature, but few tracks are straight-up raps. The rest are smooth instrumentals (a la Rae & Christian), laidback, Reggae influenced vocals and all other varieties of pre-party flavours that DJ Vadim has become known for. A good album that will be loved by many.
Tom Breslin, 04/07
Djivan Gasparyan - Soul Of Armenia
NetworkTo celebrate one of the world's finest musicians as he approaches his 80th birthday, next year, Network put together this 2 CD package of old and new. Djivan Gasparyan gave his first public performance on the duduk (Armenian flute which was mainly played by shepherds) 60 years ago, He has gone on to tour the world , play on many film soundtracks (Gladiator etc) and win many awards including the Womex Lifetime Achievement Award. There are several exclusive new recordings here but I think my pick would have to be the 2005 recording with Michael Brook featuring Djivan plus Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - pure magic.
Graham Radley, 12/07
Dogdaze - In Dog We Trust
Dogdaze ProductionsOne of the best ways to get your music out there is basically to do everything yourself, and that's what Dogdaze has done - and full respect. What we have here is an album with no compromises which features some of the darkest beats and heaviest basslines you'll hear this year. Dave has been taking tips from the likes of Danny Breaks and Tipper, especially in "Junglism" and "Transmission". "In Dog We Trust" bridges the gaps between broken beats, hiphop and soul. Broken beats monsters "So" and "Ride" will find a home with fans of Domu. Heavyweight stuff.
Simon Harrison, 10/06
Domu - Return Of The Rogue
Archive RecordsI've lost count of Dominic Stanton's aliases and releases but here is the latest instalment under Domu. I went to the release party of "Return Of The Rogue" back in May but thankfully this will be out soon. Believe me this is an absolute classic from the man who never seems to stop working. As we've come to expect from Domu over the years, you never quite know what's coming next. Well I won't spoil the plot for you because this is fantastic from start to end. This is sure to be one of the best albums in 2005.
Simon Harrison, 08/05
Domu presents Pete Simpson - Look A Little Further
Papa RecordsIn my recent review of the Elektrons album, on which Pete Simpson is featured, I commented that he is a talented but under recorded vocalist. Well to my welcome relief here is a full length set from the man with the added bonus of Domu on production duties. It comprises of ten beautifully crafted, largely mid-tempo soul/boogie cuts which are all nothing short of brilliant, so there absolutely no point in me trying to select highlights. Just do yourself a favour and buy what will be a heavy weight contender for album of the year!
Andy Allen, 09/07
Donnie Munro - An Turas
GreentraxRecorded live at 2008’s Celtic Connections, the title translates to The Journey and is based on emigration from Scotland to America. ‘Heart Of America’ evolved from a 2004 trip to the US where a visit to Ellis Island was very significant and proved to be the catalyst for the project. Donnie’s band is joined by guests like Fraser Fifield, Sandy Brechin and the Glasgow Islay Choir plus strings from RSAMD Glasgow. Rousing.
Graham Radley, 08/08