Music Reviews
Keith James & Rick Foot - Lorca
Hurdy GurdyTwo years in the making the CD features 10 tracks based on the works of Spanish poet and dramatist Federico GarcÃa 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.
PermalinkGraham Radley, 09/07
Kenge Kenge - Introducing Kenge Kenge
World Music NetworkKenyan 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
Kenny Flav Presents Wayne Kounty - Fantasy World
Premier Cru MusicNext project from the Premier Cru stable has more of a commercial feel than previous projects. That is not a bad thing; I just get the idea that if given enough airplay this will easily make it into the charts and on every radio station. There's the immediate radio anthem 'Fast Life' and 'Snapshots'. Personally my favourites are the soulful 'Superhero', "Consequences and 'Heroin'. For good measure they've brought in guests Amp Fiddler and old skool rapper and film star 'Queen Latifa'. If you're still not convinced, check out the beautifully packaged gatefold double vinyl.
Simon Harrison, 01/06
Kenny Garrett - Beyond The Wall
Nonesuch RecordsKenny Garrett is often mentioned in the same breath as Miles Davis due to the time he spent with Davis' band during the late 80s/early 90s but Garrett has steadily been releasing his own albums as leader since 1984. His latest offering 'Beyond The Wall' features pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Robert Leslie Hurst III, drummer Brian Blade and percussionist Ruggerio Boccato along with jazz legends Pharoah Sanders and Bobby Hutcherson on tenor sax and vibes respectively. Together they have created nine stunning compositions rooted in modal and spiritual jazz, taking in eastern sounds along the way. Nedelka Echols adds her vocal tones to 'Qing Wen' 'Kiss To The Skies' and 'Gwoka', all of which are nothing short of brilliant, as is the firing title track 'Beyond The Wall', 'Now' and the haunting 'Realization (Marching Towards The Light)'. Trust me this is a modern classic.
Andy Allen, 01/07
Kero One - Windmills Of The Soul
Plug LabelThose in the know with Japanese artists will know that Kero One has toured with Jazzy Sport and headlined already released tracks on Jazzy Sport and shows for artists such as Dj Mitsu the beats. 'Windmills Of The Soul' was also released a few months ago in the Far East and now's your chance to pick up this beauty for a normal price. This has been mostly produced by the man himself, with some help from his friend DJ King Most. The rhymes are simple and work a treat over the soulful and jazzy beats. Kero One also proves his excellence in production with some essential instrumentals, so make sure you check out tracks 'It's A New Day' and 'Ain't That Somethin?' Kero is also lined up to work with Quantic and DJ Mitsu in 2006 which should gain him some more deserved exposure.
Simon Harrison, 02/06
Kid Sublime - Basement Soul
Kindred SpiritsFormer member of Rednose Districkt, shows how well this young talent can work on his own. He's picked a fine selection of vocalists which include Jneiro Jarel, Cee-Major, U-Gene, Lady Alma and others. Not only that but you won't stop shaking your hips to the deep grooves that Sublime has put together, which will rock any dancefloor or sound just as nice on your headphones. Kindred Spirits just continue their domination of things soulful.
Simon Harrison, 08/05
Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid - The Exchange Session Vol.1
Domino RecordsSteve Reid is the legendary drummer who has played with all the big names over his some 40 year career. I could be all day listing artists, so I'll let you do the search through history. Over the last few years Soul Jazz Records have reissued Reid's excellent albums 'Nova' and 'Rhythmatism'. Kieran Hebden aka Fourtet hooked up with Reid for some heavyweight live shows and then embarked on two new projects with him. The first was the Steve Reid Ensemble's 'Spirit Walk' which was released again on Soul Jazz in 2005 and has already been reviewed here by Andy Allen. The second is the Exchange Sessions, which mixes experimental electronics within Reid's musical heritage. Volume One is only made up of three tracks: the first track is around seven minutes and the other two are around fifteen minutes each, and the latter two give them chance to spread their wings a little. As with all of Four Tet's previous work, give it time and all will become clear. Volume 2 will be released later in 2006.
Simon Harrison, 04/06
Kinder Atom - Soft Hand Feel
Nice + SmoothVeterans of the electronic music scene, Kinder Atom are masters of a clean, highly polished and sharply produced sound that has a soothing, ambient quality to it, regardless of the setting. Whether it be the lilting dub of 'Bring The Herbs', the Squarepusher-esque drum'n'bass of 'DB8' or the soporific 4/4 of 'Sangria', the music is perfect material for a slick, contemporary soundtrack. Particularly pleasing and fitting then, that there is a bonus DVD with 7 music videos by various Toronto film directors.
Tom Breslin, 11/06
Kinny & Horne - Forgetting To Remember
Tru Thoughts RecordingsEspen is the producer who previously recorded as Bobby Hughes and on the soundtrack for Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. This beautiful album features vocals by Kinny who is a classically trained opera singer, but her love for reggae and jazz always came first and touring with a reggae band resulted in her visiting Norway and deciding to live there. 'Forgetting To Remember' is the kind of quality production you'd expect from a release on Tru Thoughts, with far too many highlights to mention. Just because a number of the big named djs seem to be missing this, ensure you don't.
Simon Harrison, 05/05
Kira Neris - A Frozen Second
Faces RecordsKira Neris made a big splash with the 2007 release of “Behind closed doors”, sampling jazz standards and arranging them with dance and house flavored grooves. He picks up where he left off with “A frozen second”, another beautiful collection of edited nu-jazz compositions. Kira starts things off with “Judy in June”, a mid-tempo nu-jazz groover that features warm female vocals dancing over a simple yet poignant piano melody. “Shivering Waltz” is aptly named for its dreamy hush like arrangements. “Rush!” is a foot stomping dance floor gem complemented with sampled piano riffs and warm string arrangements. “Damage!” is a futuristic house track with a hypnotic groove and a funky male vocal hook that repeats the verse “take it and do whatcha wanna do”. Kira Neris’s production talents and his affection for various musical genres are evident and a boon for the listener. This is another wonderful release filled with songs that would fit nicely in a club, a lounge or in your living room. Listen and enjoy.
Reg Dancy, 03/10