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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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The Dusty Foot on the Road / K'naan K'naan - The Dusty Foot on the Road
Wrasse Records
Somali rapper K'Naan's debut album has never been officially released here, so it's good to see this live set getting released, recorded on his recent World tour. K'Naan grew up in Mogadishu where he fired his first gun aged 8 and saw many of the horrors of the civil war there before thankfully escaping when he was 13, to America. His lyrics address the realities of life in Somalia in a thought provoking way, this is hip hop on the sensitive side, indeed hip-hop itself comes under close scrutiny. Rap and Somali melodies with those intelligent lyrics make for an original and compelling package. A star, no mistake.

Graham Radley, 08/07
Until We Felt Red / Kaki King Kaki King - Until We Felt Red
Velour Recordings
An amazing guitarist who Dave Grohl has rightly been championing, her voice is lighter and by nature takes the tracks in a different direction but there’s a diversity going on that’s refreshing and honest.  Also includes full length CD of her debut ‘Everybody Loves You’.

Graham Radley, 02/08
The Bollywood Brothers / Kalyanji : Ananji Kalyanji : Ananji - The Bollywood Brothers
Saregama Records
You’ll likely recognise samples from the brothers 60’s and 70’s Hindi soundtracks and cult exploitation movies with Black Eyed Peas (CD One kicks off with Asha Bosle with Aye Naujawan Sab Kuchh Yahan’ which formed the basis for ‘Don’t Phunk With My Heart’) and Danger Mouse two of the more ‘high profile users.  This is music of it’s time but also way beyond its time, creatively mixing new instrumentation of the time like the claviolin to create a mix of funky, jazzed up psychedelia.  Great collection.

Graham Radley, 06/08
Soukous Time / Kanda Bongo Man Kanda Bongo Man - Soukous Time
Gallo
Sometimes you forget how uplifting soukous is but just a few seconds of those twinkling guitar ripples soon brings a smile and the need to dance. Over the years KBM has brought in a few other subtle and related influences like zouk but it’s when he hits the groove of ‘Amani’ that troubles can take a back seat and the musical sun shines. Very good.

Graham Radley, 08/08
Sahara Swing / Karl Hector & The Malcouns Karl Hector & The Malcouns - Sahara Swing
Now-Again Records
Karl Hector and The Malcouns are a ten piece group making their Stones Throw records debut. Karl teams up with Jay Whitefield, who has worked with respected funk groups like the Poets Of Rhythm and The Whitefield Brothers. Together they fuse a unique blend of hard driving funk and afrobeat rhythms. If the JB’s and Fela Kuti had ever been in a studio together, the results would be similar to what we have here. The track “Nyx” is full of syncopated funk, a thumping bass and lively rhythm guitars. “Koloko Pt. 1” offers more of the same only the horn section makes their presence felt here. “Mystical Brotherhood” is a downtempo gem with a funky rhythm guitar and searing organ riffs. There’s very little vocals sung here but that doesn’t matter, the Malcouns keep you locked in with an assortment of funky polyrhythmic gems that will keep your head nodding non-stop. This is Karl’s first known record in about twelve years, let’s hope that he plans to perform much more often this time around.

Reg Dancy, 07/08
Futurismo / Kassin + 2 Kassin + 2 - Futurismo
Luaka Bop Records
Final instalment in this +2 series, which has given three Brazilian artists the chance to showcase their musical adventures. The title is slightly misleading as this is very melodic and safe in many ways but it has that added sparkle which takes it into a different sphere albeit in a subtle way. Kassin has played bass with Caetono Veloso and there are comparisons in their approach to music, there's a lot going on but it's not crowded, the music has space to grow. Pick of the tracks for me is 'Samba Machine' a 70's style mish mash. Very good. 

Graham Radley, 04/07
What's Happening / Katalyst Katalyst - What's Happening
BBE
Australia's own Ashley Anderson, aka Katalyst returns with his second album. "What's Happening" is a old school hip hop inspired affair with elements of classic soul. Katalyst has recruited some of the most cutting edge rappers and singers from around the globe and blesses everyone with head nodding soulful beats to work with. Steve Spacek, whose voice may remind you of Billy Paul recreates some 70's soul on "How Bout' Us". The slept on Diverse from Chicago shows off his superb flow and word play over the piano laden track "Dedicated". "May Have Been James Brown" is a heavy hitting break beat track with well placed turntable cutting and scratching that gives a nod to the formative years of hip hop. With other notable appearances by Ru C.L, yungun and Stephanie McKay, Katalyst captures the spirit of hip hop's past and brings it up to date with slick production and loads of funky beats to make it feel fresh and new. Definitely worth checking out.

Reg Dancy, 09/08
Belonging - Where are you? / Kate Doubleday Kate Doubleday - Belonging - Where are you?
Cooper Records
Great new CD from Kate with production from Joe Broughton and a fine collection of material which draws influences from nature (‘Wild Poppies, Eucalyptus, My Sweet Dandelion and Watch The Flowers- with some lovely kora from Daniel Wilkins) using it to invoke imagery of a wider view of life. My pick is probably ‘In Full View’ a loving view of a growing child.

Graham Radley, 06/08
Lorca / Keith James & Rick Foot Keith James & Rick Foot - Lorca
Hurdy Gurdy
Two years in the making the CD features 10 tracks based on the works of Spanish poet and dramatist Federico García Lorca plus 'Take This Waltz' by Leonard Cohen (adapted from 'Little Viennese Waltz' by Lorca). Thoughtfully put together with music that acts as a perfect foil to the evocative and passionate words. Very good.

Graham Radley, 09/07
Introducing Kenge Kenge / Kenge Kenge Kenge Kenge - Introducing Kenge Kenge
World Music Network
Kenyan band founded in the early 1990s and celebrating the acoustic roots of 'benga' and keeping the ancient traditions fresh. African dance music at its best using traditional Luo instruments like the oporo (horn) asili (flute) and orutu (one stringed fiddle) in fact the band's name translates as 'fusion of small, exhilarating instruments' which sums things up rather well. Very good.

Graham Radley, 08/07
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