Basic Soul - It's all about the music.

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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Love Behind the Melody / Raheem DeVaughn Raheem DeVaughn - Love Behind the Melody
Jive Records
Other than the well placed use of Floetry on "Marathon" there is but one worthy track, that of the two-stepper "Love Drug". The rest? Well let's say it is in a field where players are plentiful and skill sparse. Let's hope Jive can produce something for the Premier League later in the year.

Steve Williams, 01/08
The Love Experience / Raheem DeVaughn Raheem DeVaughn - The Love Experience
Jive Records
Joining the likes of Dwele and Van Hunt in the list of genuinely talented Soul artists emerging from the manufactured mush of chart-clogging 'R&B' is Baltimore's Raheem DeVaughn. This debut offering sees DeVaughn's immense voice and refreshing song-writing ability coupled with some of the most creative, and musically sensitive producers around; including the tragically underrated Pete Kuzma. With 18 tracks, the spine-tingling Soul is bountiful, and if there was any justice, the Kenny Dope produced 'Guess Who Loves You More' would be a chart-cleansing hit.

Tom Breslin, 11/05
Belle Epoque Vol 3 -- Dioba / Rail Band Rail Band - Belle Epoque Vol 3 -- Dioba
Sterns Music
This is just the best, a classic band with 19 tracks spread over two CDs , this as the title suggests is the third part of a story covering 1970 to 1983. All I really need to say is this is the band that first brought us the talents that are Salif Keita, Mory kante, Sekou Kouyate, Lanfia Diabate and Makan Ganessy, listen to them here & revel in divine, pure music.

Graham Radley, 05/09
2 Dread Ina Babylon / Ranking Dread & Massive Dread Ranking Dread & Massive Dread - 2 Dread Ina Babylon
Silver Kamel Audio
From Trenchtown in the dancehall days this has six tracks each from Ranking Dread (two featuring Horace Andy) & Massive Dread recorded at Channel one and mixed at King Tubbys with Sly & Robbie providing the rhythm. Two rudeboys with both of them meeting untimely deaths so this is a reminder both of how good things were and how much we missed.

Graham Radley, 03/07
Where we belong / Rasmus Faber Rasmus Faber - Where we belong
Farplane Records
“Where We Belong” is the latest full length disc from Swedish producer Rasmus Faber. Rasmus has treated us to a number of quality remixes for various heavyweights like King Street, Defected and Code Red just to name a few. For this set, Rasmus takes us on an adventurous ride of melodic, blissful house music that will entertain you well beyond the dance floor. In addition, he has enlisted the help of several talented vocalists to add another dimension to these wonderful recordings. The disc starts out with a subtle orchestral intro, which is followed by the lightly sweetened deep house delight “Everything is alright” which features the angelic voice of Linda Sundblad.  It’s also nice to hear from Dyanna Fearon, who last appeared with Reel People stop by and bless us with four tunes with her beautiful voice. “Give it to me” is a pulsating house jam that breaks down into a down-tempo stomper towards the end and “Yes” is a soft mid-tempo groover. “Every time we” is the weakest of the four but it’s still worth listening to.  “I don’t mind” which features Parasto is easily one of the best tracks here, a long playing atmospheric gem laced with beautiful chords. As an accomplished pianist and first rate producer, Rasmus delivers with a record filled with rich orchestral sounds, fine tuned arrangements and thumping beats. The result is a lush, rhythmic, uplifting listening experience.

Reg Dancy, 03/09
A World Within A World / Raul Midon Raul Midon - A World Within A World
Manhattan Records
Follow up to 'State of Mind' for the Afro-Argentinean singer-guitarist and it's more infectious soul pop produced by Joe Mardin. Several of the tracks carry a message including 'All The Answers' and 'Ghost Of War' and the music varies from the acapella doo-wap of 'Ain't Happened Yet' to 'Tembererana' which is another song with a message while incorporating music from his Argentinean roots. Raul has clearly soaked up a lot of influences but he's made his own music as a result and rather splendid it is too.

Graham Radley, 11/07
You Got Rhythm Too / Raw Artistic Soul Raw Artistic Soul - You Got Rhythm Too
Gogo Music
I always try to be open minded with all the music I receive but it's only human nature to always try to guess what to expect. In my mind I had the Raw Artistic Soul album sorted in my head but I was so wrong. I was expecting an album of house and garage but the quality just blew my socks off and can easliy be compared with some of the best house producers around at the moment. Phil Kullmann aka Raw Artistic Soul doesn't just go down the 4/4 route, there's soul, jazz, afrobeat and disco in there to keep everyone happy. "The Light" with Ursula Rucker grabbed my attention on first play and it's the best track I've heard Rucker feature for quite sometime. "Pa La Loma" and "Abanico" which add beautiful latin influences and will be of interest to fans of Nu Yorican soul fans. This is what house music is all about.

Simon Harrison, 04/07
Hiatus On The Horizon / Recloose Recloose - Hiatus On The Horizon
Peacefrog Records
This has to be one of the most eagerly awaited albums of 2005, ever since 'Dust' was heard last year. It is of course the follow up to the excellent 'Cardiology'. Things kick off with another anthem in the making, 'Landed', but it's not all about the big dancefloor tunes. There's a proper mix up of styles and influences, which of course you would expect from a man of this talent. It may not grab you on first play but give it a few listens and you'll be hooked for the rest of 2005.

Simon Harrison, 07/05
Perfect Timing / Recloose Recloose - Perfect Timing
Sonar Kollektiv
Folks outside of Detroit and New Zealand may not be familiar with Matt Chicone aka Recloose but ever since his debut "This Is The Dining Room" on Carl Craig’s Planet E  records, his talents as a DJ and producer have been in much demand. That was followed up with two outstanding records, "Cardiology" and "Hiatus On The Horizon”"  His fourth lp, "Perfect Timing" is a lot more funkier than some of his previous releases but in many ways it is an extension of Matt Chicone’s burgeoning talents. It’s apparent that the objective of this record is to make you dance and there are several selections worthy of that goal. There is also the usual assortment of talented vocalists here as well. "Catch A Leaf" is a nice piece of broken soul that features newcomer Rachel Frasier. "Can It Be" is a rousing electronic funk stomper that should find it’s way to many dance floors. Joe Dukie has worked with Recloose before and on “Deeper Waters” he is in top form. This is easily one of the best dub tracks I’ve heard in a while and should become a big hit. Recloose may have caught us by surprise when he first came on the scene but we’re well aware of his skills now. This is another fine release and a great signing for Sonar Kollektiv.

Reg Dancy, 08/08
The Art Of Raw Sound / Recluse Crew & Synoptic Pressure Recluse Crew & Synoptic Pressure - The Art Of Raw Sound
Kool Kat Records
It's always a pleasure when an album comes along that you weren't expecting and completely blows you away. It was hip-hop bands like Public Enemy that got me into electronic music and it's been very interesting over the years to see how things have progressed and gone wider afield. The Recluse Crew are from Helsinki and produce some of the funkiest heavy bassline beats you'll hear. Perfectly suited lyrics are from Dirty Smarts and LLC. It sounds like these guys have been honing their skills for years and getting tips from the masters. Finnish hip-hop may not have sprung to mind previously but this is heavy weight stuff. I'll be keeping an eye on Kool Kat in the future.

Simon Harrison, 09/06
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