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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

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Everything Ecstatic / Four Tet Four Tet - Everything Ecstatic
Domino Records
It seems like Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet has been getting some serious attention over the pond recently. He's just finished remixes for Madib and Jaydee's Madvillian and his next single 'Sun Drums and Soil' is remixed by Sa-Ra, so what a perfect time to release his fourth instalment. You must be aware from the start that this is intense and downright mad but don't let that put you off because it's very cleverly produced, with all manner of influences mixed in the pot. Look out for the limited double vinyl because hidden in there is the full album on cd, perfect for home listening.

Simon Harrison, 06/05
Outer Zone / Francisco Mora Catlett Francisco Mora Catlett - Outer Zone
Premier Cru Music
Percussionist Francisco Mora Catlett follows up his superb ‘River Drum’ album (Premier Cru 2005) with the equally impressive ‘Outer Zone’. As with ‘River Drum’ this set combines deep/avant-garde jazz with elements of Latin. It kicks off with the spaced-out intro ‘Space Chord’, a theme he returns to throughout the album, before moving into masterpieces such as the fierce ‘Saints Of Congo Square’, ‘PaLos Mayores’, a tough fusion excursion and the mellower ‘La Lu Banche’. Releases on Premier Cru are not always easy to come by but do some digging and your efforts will be greatly rewarded!

Andy Allen, 03/08
River Drum / Francisco Mora Catlett Francisco Mora Catlett - River Drum
Premier Cru Music
In 2004 Kindred Spirits released "Amazona" by Catlett which was up there with the best of the year and hammered by every DJ worth mentioning. We are now in 2005 and "River Drum" has been in the shops since May. It seems most people-including myself completely missed this album. Believe me when you hear this, you'll be kicking yourself. Produced, arranged and written by the man himself this is a pure 2005 masterpiece. Get hunting.

Simon Harrison, 09/05
Francophonic - A retrospective Vol.1 1953-1980 / Franco &amp; Le TPOK Jazz Franco &amp; Le TPOK Jazz - Francophonic - A retrospective Vol.1 1953-1980
Sterns Africa
Congolese guitarist Franco is still widely revered as Africa’s greatest musician and this Stern’s compilation is a great insight as to why. The opening track ‘Esengo ya mokili’ was made at the age of 15, after he had come to attention as a brilliant street busker who built his own guitar at the age of 7. The double CD takes us through 27 more years with 28 tracks in total and extensive sleeve notes. Some called him Godfather others the Sorcerer but we should just call him genius and revel in the brilliant music he created.

Graham Radley, 12/08
Soul Search / Freddie Cruger aka Red Astaire Freddie Cruger aka Red Astaire - Soul Search
Tru Thoughts Recordings
Red Astaire was the alias that kicked off the surge of re-edits and of course Gamm records. Some three years later the Red Astaire album is here. There is something commercial about "Soul Search" and given the right airplay, I'm certain it could go mainstream. Maybe Tru Thoughts is the label to give it the big promotional push. With good lyrics and beats with splatterings of soul, reggae and hip-hop, this could turn Cruger into a sought-after producer. Only time will tell.

Simon Harrison, 11/06
3 Foot High & Rising / Freddie Kruger Presents 3 Foot People Freddie Kruger Presents 3 Foot People - 3 Foot High & Rising
Homegrown Records
Finally, we have the debut album from the man behind Red Astaire who is responsible for many releases on Gamm, Jugglin, Swedish Brandy, and here is yet another alias for Freddie Cruger: 3 Foot People. For a producer who has covered most styles over the last few years, this is basically downbeat with a mix of hip hop, dub reggae, soul and jazz. It's great to hear more from Linn whose vocals always work a treat with Freddie's productions. Make sure you hunt down Freddie & Linn "Keep on Playing" which was one of the best tracks from 2004. Great album to compliment Freddie's label.

Simon Harrison, 06/06
In The Wind / Freddy Fresh Presents The Conductor Crucified Freddy Fresh Presents The Conductor Crucified - In The Wind
Stark Ravin' Records
Freddy Fresh is one busy man: He's dj-ed all over the world, compiled what seems like hundreds of DJ mixes and compilations, runs several record labels and somehow also has time to get into the studio to produce a huge back catalogue. Stark Ravin' is a new label set up by Freddy and to kick things off he's brought in a gifted mc The Conductor Crucified for this new project. This first thing I noticed was that the productions were not what you'd usually expect from a so-called hip hop album. No jiggy business here, just simple quality beats with quality vocals and lyrics. You must lend your ears to the old skool sounding "Paradise O' Bleeding" and "Heart Vs. Hardware". I hope this is just the start of something special from these guys.

Simon Harrison, 01/07
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