Music Reviews
Habib Koite & Bamada - Afriki
CumbanchaOne of Africa's biggest selling artists, it's been six years since his last release 'Baro.' The main theme looks at developing Africa's strengths and getting Africans themselves to see that what they have can be worth a lot and is worth championing. The familiar range of Malian styles is adapted on the track 'Afriki' by some nifty Pee Wee Ellis horn arrangements, this is music from the soul and from the heart and is just superb.
PermalinkGraham Radley, 09/07
Hajime Yoshizawa - Music From The Edge Of The Universe
Geneon RecordsHajime is a very busy man. His Sleepwalker project is still causing excitement around the globe with the imminent live shows. He's played piano on a whole host of amazing projects over the last few years and now it's time for his new album. This is an outstanding selection with Brazilian, Latin and of course Soul influences, with the majority of tracks are for clued up dancefloors. It's great to hear the lovely Vanessa Freeman on "Believe Again" and "Sweet Way", Jason Yarde on "Waltz For Jason" and Face on "Keep It Movin" and "Favourite Virtual Kiss" and that's just for starters. Bear in mind the album totals 77 minutes and sixteen tracks. So far Especial Records have released a 4 track sampler on vinyl - let's hope the rest make their way onto vinyl soon.
Simon Harrison, 10/05
Hal Singer & Jef Gilson - Soul Of Africa
Kindred SpiritsAnother gem has been released from the jazz vaults. “Soul Of Africa” is wonderful work from pianist Jef Gilson and Tenor saxophonist Hal Singer that was recorded in Paris during burgeoning jazz scene in the seventies. Jef Gilson was already building a reputation as a talented pianist in Paris while Hal Singer was best known for his RnB work. Together, they create timeless pieces that serves up an African flavor thanks largely to the percussion work of Del Rabenja and Gerard Rakotoarivony. On “Mother Earth”, the track starts off with Del and Gerard laying down the groove while Hal’s tenor floats above it. This tune is also enhanced by Bernard Lubat on vibes. “Garvey’s Strut” is a real winner as well. Gilson’s work here is spirited and uplifting while Hal’s robust playing is the perfect complement. Soulful and rhythmic, “Soul Of Africa” is essential listening.
Reg Dancy, 06/08
Harmonic 313 - When Machines Exceed Human Intelligence
Warp RecordsOkay, so this has been around for a few months now and I should have reviewed it much earlier. On the positive side, this has given me the chance to live with the album for a while and really listen to it for pleasure and not because I have to. So, I can honestly say that this latest offering from the UK’s Mark Pritchard – now based in Sydney – is really quite brilliant. Imagine Dilla composing the score to the classic ‘80s movie Tron and you’ve got a fairly good idea of the sound and style of “When Machines…”. Purely synthetic – not unlike Dorian Concept’s material – with huge, growling, Dub-influenced bass-lines and Donkey Kong-esque early video game effects, the tracks are haunting, Sci-Fi sound-scapes with the swagger and swing of Detroit Hip-Hop. This is captured most perfectly in ‘Battlestar’ featuring Dilla’s former collaborators Phat Kat and Elzhi (the ever impressive Steve Spacek contributes elsewhere on the album). If you haven’t checked this out yet then you absolutely must, particularly if you’re a fan of next generation, Beat Dimensions type Hip-Hop.
Tom Breslin, 05/09
Hawa - My Little Green Box
Favorite RecordingsMacon, France native Jennifer Zonou, aka Hawa has steadily built an impressive resume since starting her career in 2000. After working with local acts around France she eventually connected with Pascal Rioux of Favorite Recordings where she released her first single “D.A.N.C.E.”. A chance meeting with Bruno Howart of Patchworks would ultimately evolved into her debut lp. That is good news since “My Little Green Box” is earthy striped down soul that fits neatly within the Patchworks funk soul roster that includes The Dynamics and Mr. President. Among the highlights are “Never Give Up”, a mellow groover that brims with yearning intensity. “Lost Girl” is a good vibes up-tempo gem ignited by infectious rhythm guitar playing. “Spin Me Around” is another keeper about someone who lifts your spirits when you have those days when everything goes wrong. Hawa’s sun drenched vocals are surrounded beautifully by an irresistible groove, highlighted by the Hammond B3 organ and funky horns. Hawa scores with an impressive debut that certifies her as someone to keep an eye on. This is an enjoyable lp that will harken memories to old soul analog classics that you wish you held onto. This spirited recording will make you think they never left.
Reg Dancy, 07/11
Hazmat Modine - Bahamut
Barbes RecordsThis debut release is one to go straight to the top of your shopping list if you like your music deeply rooted but adventurous, when I say deeply rooted the core influence is the blues but when I tell you that Huur-Huur-Tu, the Tuvan throat singers guest on 3 tracks then you know there's something different going on here. The band features the dueling harmonicas of front-man Wade Schuman and Randy Weinstein, the funky tuba of Joseph Daly plus Pete Smith, Michael Gomez, Rich Huntley, Pam Fleming and Steve Elson. They bring in elements of early blues, rockabilly, klezmer, reggae and Romanian brass and make it sound simply wonderful.
Graham Radley, 08/07
He3 Project - Chapter One
Family Groove RecordsIt makes you wonder just how many quality recording there are that never see the light of day for various reasons. Thankfully someone had the good sense to dust off the tapes lying in the garage of Herman Eberitzcsh and eventually that led to the He3 Project. Herman, known back in the seventies as Funky knuckles assembled an eclectic group of musicians like Coke Escovedo, Funkadelic drummer Tiki Fulwood and vocalists Linda Tillery and Johnny Lovett, among others. The music was deemed too experimental and never saw the light of day until now. We are grateful for there is much to savor. “Rapture Of The Deep” is a jazz infused psychedelic funk odyssey. “Funk Punk” is aptly titled as the band delivers a slick head nodding groove that’s in the pocket and funky. “Make It Sweet” is another winner that features a funky lead guitar and Johnny Lovett’s smoothing vocals sail over the melody. This is essential listening if you can’t get enough of that classic soul sound that stretches out to different places but never too far that you lose your way. The best part is that this is just the beginning as there are more grooves in the garage coming our way soon. Stay tuned for we can hardly wait.
Reg Dancy, 09/10
Heavy - First Sessions
Kindred SpiritsIf you were one of the enlightened ones to become captivated by the outstanding Heavy ep of 2004 then “First Sessions” is exactly what you’ve been missing. That five track ep merely scratched the surface of this talented duo and left us hungry for more. “First Sessions” expands on that music and also includes a few gems from the vaults of the Kindred Spirits label. The multiple musical skills of Casey Benjamin and the beautiful vocals of Nicky Guilland are in full bloom on familiar tracks like “Do for you” and “Just can’t get”. There is also the ode to Minnie Ripperton on the melodic “Wonderlove”, the original version as well as the Jazzanova remix. They equally shine on previously unreleased tracks like “Sez who sez me”, the Sesame street jingle never sounded so good. The aptly named “Summer Song” is so refreshing, the kind of feel good song that would brighten anyone’s somber mood. “I know my way” is a funky down-tempo gem with a wicked organ groove. If that’s not enough, there’s the Yam Who? Remix of “Do for you” and the DJ Spinna remix of “Just can’t get”. It would have been a crime to keep all this good music on the shelf. Kudos to Heavy and Kindred Spirits for sharing it with everyone.
Reg Dancy, 04/09
Henrik Schwarz - DJ Kicks
!K7This is one the finest series of compilations the electronic music world has ever had. They pick superb producers and artists to select some music and craft it onto a splendid long player. This selection by Germany's Henrik Schwarz is no different in that it's good all the way through. Just about everything is covered on this album, there is Detroit Techno from Drexciya, Funk from James Brown, Reggae from Sugar Minot and house from Schwarz himself. There are also slices of soul music and a tad bit of Jazz. It's well put together and plays perfect as a whole album. Preceding this release will be a limited 12" from Schwarz of the "written especially for this compilation" single - 'Imagination Limitation'. You'd be a fool not to check this out, or for that matter virtually all of the DJ Kicks series.
Jax, 10/06
Herbert - Scale
K7Back some ten years I was very lucky to be working in a record shop when the limited first releases on Phono records appeared with productions by a new name - Herbert. Still to this day, I dig out those first 12"s and of course he churned out some brilliant albums and remixes over the years. Herbert has been known to sample all manner of things over the years and this album cover features 37 pictures of the 723 objects sampled in the making of "Scale". As with all of Herbert's previous albums, there is a serious message behind the songs, which will certainly make you think. "Scale" is the most obvious album to date with disco, jazz and house bits thrown in there but it just goes to prove this man is a modern day genius.
Simon Harrison, 07/06