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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Jazz Liberatorz - Clin d'oeil |
| Kif |
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| As I think about some of the latest hip hop releases of the past year, I reflect on the golden age of the genre. That was when we were consistently treated to now classics from The Native Tongues, Brand Nubian and The Pharcyde. One element that was prevalent within the music of those artists was the inclusion of jazz samples or collaborations with jazz artists. Those samples were from some of our most respected jazz musicians and gave the listener greater appreciation of jazz music. The artists, I'm sure gained a greater appreciation. Well, thanks to the Jazz Liberatorz and some of the most respected MC’s in the game today, that feeling comes to life with their remarkable debut “Clin d’oeil”. The theme throughout this disc is the love and respect for 70’s Jazz expressed by the Jazz Liberatorz and the MC’s on board. On the track, “Ease My Mind", I don’t know what sounded better, the smooth chords and accompanying flute or hearing Fat Lip and Tre Hardson together again. “Indonesia” finds Tableek of Maspyke flowing over some cosmic jazz funk reminiscent of Lonnie Liston Smith. On “U Do”, Stacey Epps sings over a smoothed out rhythm guitar enhanced so that has a summertime vibe to it. What is also equally enjoyable is the interludes that feature each MC or vocalist expressing their love for jazz while a jam session serves as the backdrop. The Jazz Liberatorz succeed by capturing the essence of one of hip hop’s prime moments in its history. I can’t get enough of this cd. I have no doubts that you’ll feel the same way. Reg Dancy, 06/08 |
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Jazz Orkestar Radio - Televizije Beograd - Dirigent Vojislav Simic |
| Cosmic Sounds Records |
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| In February 2004 my Basic Soul Radio Show was lucky enough to have a guest mix from Zeljko Kerleta, the man behind Cosmic Sounds Records, and during that 60 minute mix he dazzled us with some amazing rare European jazz classics. Three tracks in, he played a track by the RTB Big Band, which completely blew me away, and Zeljko mentioned that he would be re-releasing this album very soon. A few weeks ago this beautifully packaged cd arrived and I was straight on the phone purchasing one of the limited 500 copies vinyl copies [you've been warned]. Featured here is a collection of 70s recordings by the Radio Television Beograd Jazz Orchestra, very much in the style of MPS, which should have you all slavering at the mouth. All the tracks are original compositions and feature some of the great European talents around at the time, including Dusko Goykovich, Gerd Dudek and Allan Skidmore, to name a few. We should all thank Zeljko because we've all been given a chance to listen to this wonderful lost gem. Simon Harrison, 05/05 |
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Jazzanova - Belle Et Fou |
| Sonar Kollektiv |
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| Driving into Leeds before Christmas with a friend and I put the "Belle Et Fou" cd on. To our surprise we heard the voice of someone who sounds so much like Barry White, I wondered if I was playing the right cd, or had Jazzanova really done a track with the legend. We finally found the cd cover to discover it was Capital A. What a way to grab your attention and the quality just continued. Micatone, Clara Hill, Thief and Georg Levin sound a treat, with covers from the Jazzanova back catalogue and loving homage to many of the greats. Jazzanova spent five months working on this project to create the soundtrack, which was then used for the theatrical show aired last year. I just wish I'd known about this a little earlier. It's great to see artists like Jazzanova and Legends of the Underground taking projects like this to a new level and audience, which will have a great effect on the scene as a whole. This will certainly keep fans of the collective happy until their new album arrives later this year. Simon Harrison, 01/07 |
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Jazzanova - Of All The Things |
| Verve |
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| There are good records that you will play for a few days, maybe a few weeks before they fade to black. Then you have that great record that you have been playing for weeks. The weeks turn into months and before you know it you have a future classic in your possession that you can’t put down. Jazzanova’s new release “Of All The things” would belong to the latter. The new record features appearances from Ben Westbeech, Leon Ware and Jose James just to name a few. Where their last record “In Between” was more of a electronic offering, “Of All The Things” is packed with 70’s soul, Brazilian bossa and jazzy ballads that provide immediate satisfaction. Among the many highlights is “Let Me Show Ya”, a song that is simply love at first listen. This is classic soul music at its best and the voice of Paul Randolph is smooth, rich and passionate. The same track gets sampled and reworked into a hip-hop track entitled “So Far From Home” that is performed flawlessly by Phonte of Little Brother. “Gafiera” is a nice breezy Brazilian tune performed by Pedro Martins & Azymuth. It’s always a treat to hear Bembe Segue and hearing her sing a jazz tune is an added bonus. “Morning Scapes” is an excellent combination of sultry vocals and live instrumentation, particularly Magnus Lindgren’s performance on flute. In fact, the Jazzanova musicians bring a sense of warmth on every track here that reminds you of how music used to be made. Before you purchase any other record, be sure you have “Of All The Things”. Jazzanova delivers an outstanding disc that delivers one great track after another. This is without a doubt one of the best records of 2008.
Reg Dancy, 11/08 |
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Jazzinvaders - Up & Out |
| Social Beats |
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| In May 2005 a Social Beats twelve track sampler dropped on my doorstep and featured three tracks by the unknown to me Jazzinvaders. The main track "Up & Out" became a firm favourite and was in my record box for the rest of the year. Producer/percussionist Phil Martin is the force behind the Jazzinvaders with contributions from two members of the Dutch jazz band The Houdini's: Rolf Delfos on horns and saxophone and Erwin Hoorweg on piano. It initially started off as a jam session and eventually turned into a cracking album, combining latin and afro beats with some moustache tingling basslines that will keep any dancefloor happy. Lovely vocals are by Danish jazz vocalist Mette Burild and Dutch vocalist Linda Bloemhard, to round off a quality album. Simon Harrison, 03/06 |
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Jazztronik - Cannibal Rock & En:Code |
| Tokuma Japan Communications |
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| These latest offerings from Ryota Nazaki follow a similar path to that walked on his previous sets, seamlessly fusing elements of jazz, Brazilian, house, broken beat etc. The Flora Purim fronted 'Dentro De Mim', 'Dentro Mi Alma' featuring Sonia Santana and the title track on 'Cannibal Rock' all shine brightly, as does the twisted broken cut, 'Beeping'. 'En:Code' opens with the spiritual vibes of 'Pathways (Jazztronik Theme)' with Valarie Etienne and Rob Gallagher, a track 4 Hero would have been proud of. It then passes through the Marcos Valle blessed 'Rio. Sol E Mar', 'Little Tree', a violin led waltz and the epic tech-jazz title track. I hear through the grapevine that Pantone are soon to release the best tracks from this pair on a single CD album for the UK market. Andy Allen, 03/06 |
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Jazztronik - Remixes I & II |
| Tokuma Japan Communications |
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| Jazztronik is certainly making sure we spend lots of cash - especially those outside of Japan - with another two cd release. As I'm sure you guessed by the title, it's time for the remixers to have their way with the tracks from albums Cannibal Rock and En:Code. Both cds are jampacked with all the big name producers/remixers with their new interpretations. On the first few listens I am leaning towards Part II with essential re-works from Domu, Two Banks of Four, Needs, Louie Vega, DJ Mitsu, 2000 Black and that's only half of them. The first cd is certainly worth a listen even just for the wonderful Sleepwalker remix of "Pathways" and Osunlade's remix seems to be causing quite a stir with select djs. OK it's expensive but worth every penny. Simon Harrison, 04/06 |
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Jazztronik - Samurai |
| Pantone Music |
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| Soul DJ Andy Davies kick starts his new Streetsoul label in fine style with this Chicago rarity which he discovered on acetate whilst working at John Anderson's Soul Bowl record shop during the mid 90s. After airing 'Joy Trip (Part 1)' on his radio show the track caused a huge buzz amongst the soul fraternity and has eventually resulted in this release. 'Joy Trip (Part 1)' is a majestic string fueled two stepper of the highest order but the album packed full of quality tunes covering northern, crossover and funk styles plus a great version of The Lovelites' 'Get It Off My Conscience'. Andy Allen, 09/05 |
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Jerline & Friends - Best Of Friends |
| Streetsoul Records |
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| Soul DJ Andy Davies kick starts his new Streetsoul label in fine style with this Chicago rarity which he discovered on acetate whilst working at John Anderson’s Soul Bowl record shop during the mid 90s. After airing ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ on his radio show the track caused a huge buzz amongst the soul fraternity and has eventually resulted in this release. ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ is a majestic string fueled two stepper of the highest order but the album packed full of quality tunes covering northern, crossover and funk styles plus a great version of The Lovelites’ ‘Get It Off My Conscience’.
Andy Allen, 05/07 |
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Jill Scott - The Real Thing: Words And Sounds Vol. 3 |
| Hidden Beach Recordings |
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| There's no denying that Jill Scott is one of the most significant artists to have emerged in the past decade but since her classic debut 'Who Is Jill Scott?' she has never quite captured the same sense of magic. That's not to say her subsequent releases haven't featured some great moments, they have and 'The Real Thing' is no different. 'Let It Be' and 'Only You' are strong cuts on a funky mid-tempo tip but my personal favourites here are the rich down-tempo arrangements of 'Insomnia' and 'My Love'. Well worth investigating for these tracks alone. Andy Allen, 12/07 |
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