Music Reviews
Lone - Lemurian
Dealmaker RecordsAs Nottingham’s answer to Flying Lotus, Lone is an expert in the field of surreal, off kilter, wonky-tonk Hip Hop beats and with song titles like ‘Green Sea Pageant’, ‘Sea Spray’ and ‘Buried Coral Banks’ it is hardly a major surprise that much of his work evokes a warm and unmistakably oceanic feeling. Every sound has been tweaked, compressed and manipulated to within an inch of its life, creating the slightly unnerving, but nevertheless very welcome, sensation that the music (without wanting to borrow too heavily from Alan Partridge’s ‘Deep Bath’ metaphor) really is just washing over you. You get the idea. This is top-drawer ambient, electronic music and the initial comparisons with Boards of Canada are altogether justified.
PermalinkTom Breslin, 10/08
Lou Donaldson - Here 'Tis
Blue Note RecordsLou Donaldson made his reputation largely on the basis of soul jazz recordings such as this. While he would later enjoy commercial success with 'Alligator Boogaloo', this album from 1961 is a superior example of the organ jazz format with five extended pieces. Accompanied by Grant Green on guitar and the under-recorded Baby Face Willette on hammond organ, the quartet cooks on the gospel influenced title track with Willette excelling. Green expands upon the standard 'Foggy Day' and Donaldson himself has his finest hour on the Charlie Parker tune 'Cool Blues' with driving support from organ and drums. An album that truly puts the soul into jazz.
Tim Stenhouse, 05/08
Louie Vega Presents Luisito Quintero - Percussion Madness
BBE RecordsThis is the debut album from Latin percussionist Luisito Quintero, which brings a mix of Afrobeat, Bossa Nova and Latin Jazz to the table. Quintero was apart of Louie Vega's Elements in Life project, which may explain why his name is mentioned in the title, apart from maybe to sell a few more units. Quintero was born in Venezuela and, with help from his father, gained recognition in his early teens. This may be his debut but he's worked on countless projects including India's two albums, and with artists like Tito Puente, Ray Barreto to Gloria Estefan. Guest artists include Hilton Ruiz, Brian Lynch, Nestor Torres, Milton Cardona, Jose Mangual and Blaze, which work great with the heavy percussion and Latin influences. "Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo", "M' Bongi" and "Love Remains The Same" are worthy of your attention but these are only the tip of the iceberg for this excellent album. BBE have timed this release perfectly, just in time for summer.
Simon Harrison, 04/06
Low Budget Soul - Strangers To The Ordinary
Futuristica MusicLow Budget Soul first appeared on the excellent Abstract Soul records a few years ago and brought to my attention the wonderful vocals of Randolph Matthews and the productions skills of Tris "Ol' English" Browne, who was and is influenced by the likes of J-Dilla and Madlib. Matthews is on lead vocals here and shines through on tracks like "Into You", "No. 1", "Waves" and "Mystery Rose". Also featured are the singles "She Won't Let The Summer In" and "Fills My Heart" with the amazing vocalist Nanar Vorperian, which will have you on your knees. This is UK soul at its best.
Simon Harrison, 09/06
LTC - A Different View
Ricky-Tick RecordsWith two singles already under their belt the Italian jazz trio LTC now deliver their debut album. ‘Easy Does It’, ‘Meninos Das Laranjas’ and ‘Just Give Me Time’ from the singles are present but stronger in my opinion is the their take on the modal masterpiece ‘Anthony And Cleopatra’s Love’ and the blistering dancers ‘A Different View’ and ‘Shibuya Crossing’. Another classic from Ricky-Tick!
Andy Allen, 06/08
Lucky Dube - The Best Of
Phantom Sound & Vision RecordsSuch a sad loss last year but here’s a timely reminder of how great he was. 17 tracks which give a popular flavour of his 22 studio albums and includes tracks like ‘Slave’ (the Slaves was the name of his brilliant live band) ‘Victims’ and my own favourite ‘Feel Irie’. Excellent.
Graham Radley, 06/08
Luka Bloom - Tribe
Big SkyGood new album from Luka, which sees him collaborating with Simon O'Reilly, who also produces. Tribe reflects Luka's roots and has an overall relaxed feel but is not without a bit of bite where it's needed. Excellent collection of musicians helping out as well including BJ Cole, Elmear O'Grady and Robbie Perry.
Graham Radley, 11/07
Lulu Rouge - Bless You
Music For DreamsLulu Rouge consists of Danish DJs Buda and T.O.M., long-time cohorts of Denmark’s other well-known House-master, Trentemoller, who contributes here on ‘Lulu’s Theme’. Unsurprisingly then, the music on ‘Bless You’ is, for the most part, techy, minimal (in the meaningful sense of the word) House music, under-pinned by big, reverberating bass-lines that are the result of a strong Dub Reggae influence. ‘Melankoli’, with vocals from Alice Carreri, is much like Eva Be’s Best7 productions, whilst the aforementioned ‘Lulu’s Theme’ has a definite Basic Channel meets Get Physical vibe about it. ‘Bless You’ certainly isn’t happy, sunshine music; it’s haunting, eerie music for the night, but, with Winter well and truly on its way, this could be just what you’re after.
Tom Breslin, 10/08