Music Reviews
Sa Ra Creative Partners - Nuclear evolution: The Age of Love
Ubiquity RecordsThere have been many groups that have come through and displayed the ability lay down the funk. Very few have shown the potential to create the cosmic slop like Sa Ra Creative Partners. Since they emerged on the scene back in 2000, Sa Ra has teased us with a single here and there, most notably the underground hit “Glorious” before finally releasing their debut in 2007. Their latest release, “Nuclear Evolution” fulfills some of the promise that has been long associated with the group. With their trademark psychedelic funk spread across 23 tracks, Sa Ra waxes poetic on tales of partying and all night sexual encounters. Some of the highlights include “Dirty Beauty”, which features Erykah Badu. “Melodee N Mynor” and “Gemini’s Rising featuring Rozzie Daime”. “Traffika” depicts a wild night of chaos in New York City. They slow things down for a moment to enter the galaxy of love on “Love Today”. Each track features their trademark spacey synths, funky basslines and soulful production. Sa Ra’s stylish compositions have been sought after for many hip-hop and soul artists alike. “Nuclear” demonstrates a definitive progression from their debut and will satisfy the legion of fans who like their funk to stretch out beyond the outer limits. Simply put, this is one of the most creative and enjoyable records of 2009.
PermalinkReg Dancy, 08/09
Saba - Jidka - The Line
Riverboat RecordsDebut CD (although well known as an actress in Italy) she explores the gap between her birthplace of Somalia and her adopted home of Italy. It's a modern tale that lets the traditional sounds and instruments of Africa discover more contemporary European influences and flourish in their company. Refreshing.
Graham Radley, 11/07
Sabrina Malheiros - Dreaming
Far Out RecordingsSabrina Malheiros has been one of the new Ambassadors of Brazilian music for a minute now. Her third full length release “Dreaming” seamlessly blends the classical Brazilian rhythms with the soulful electronica grooves that were featured on her debut lp “Eqilibria”. “Dreaming” is filled with sunny chilled out rhythms will have you dreaming of warm beaches instantly. Once again she surrounded by an all-star list of Brazil’s finest musicians including her father, Alex Melheiros of Asymuth fame. In addition, Daniel “Venom” Maurick, son of Bluey (Incognito) who collaborated on her debut shares writing and production duties here as well. Among the highlights are “Bobeira”, a samba flavored tune augmented by the rhythmic guitar and flute arrangements. “Fragil“ is another favorite where Sabrina’s vocals float over this breezy tune bursting with warm melodies and percussion. “Paranoia” is one of more soul oriented tracks here but is no less enjoyable. In fact, there is hardly a weak track among this gorgeous selection. This is a wonderful record that should jettison Sabrina as a premiere vocalist whose star shines brighter with every release.
Reg Dancy, 12/11
Sambistas - Sambistas
SambistasVeteran sambistas Jair Rodrigues and Elza Soares are joined by two of the new wave - City Of God star Seu Jorge and Luciana Mello plus 40 (yes 40) of Brazil’s best musicians to reinterpret 11 classic samba songs plus a couple of new ones. My pick is Seu Jorge who does a geat version of Dorival Caymmi's ‘Samba Da Minha Terra‘. Refreshing.
Graham Radley, 12/08
Sandboy - Echoes
Hinterland RecordsTobias Meggle returns with his next instalment and he's gone and released another classic. 'Echoes' includes a few new tracks, some remixes of tracks from 2004's 'Wanderlust' album and some from the man himself. Things kick off with two corking new tracks, with Randolph Matthews featuring on 'Call Out' and 'Common Cause' with Clara Hill. I would have bought 'Echoes' on these tracks alone. Also included are wonderful remixes by Break Reform, Smiles Ahead and Gerd. For a bonus ball you have Sandboy's remix of Gerd's 'So Real' featuring Vanessa Freeman. Surely I don't need to sell this to you any more.
Simon Harrison, 09/05
Sarah Linhares - Messages From The Future
Public Transit RecordingsAfter releasing an EP of the same name in 2009, Montreal resident Sarah Linhares finally releases her full length lp. “Messages from the Future” is filled with soulful electronic bottom heavy beats mixed and produced by some of the most cutting edge producers on the Canadian underground music scene. The most prominent of this group is label mate/Public Transit Record exec Moonstarr. He produced four tracks on the album including “Step Up”, laced with edgy synths and progressive beats. “No Question”, produced by Akilmitize is another bouncy track with a wicked groove, catchy synths and neck snappin’ beats. Fellow Montreal resident Kenlo Craqnuques also contributed four tracks including the mellow “Move Along” and the hip-hop drum heavy “I Get Scared”. Sarah’s warm vocals are the perfect complement to these tracks. Her voice isn’t overpowering but her warm tones and lyrics will resonate with you. From top to bottom this is a futuristic soul gem that is definitely enjoyable and certainly worth checking out.
Reg Dancy, 11/11
Scrimshire - Along Came The Devil One Night…
Wah Wah 45sAdam Scrimshire is known to many as a producer, musician and dj, having delivered a number of singles over the years for Wah Wah 45’s. “Along came the devil one night” is his first full length release and it undoubtedly demonstrates that he is an artist deserving of a bigger stage. Scrimshire has taken all his musical influences in jazz, soul, Latin and folk to craft a record filled with great melodic tunes and an array of talented vocalists to propel them to greater heights. Let’s start with “The low road”, a lovely track that fuses elements of jazz and pop and is aided by the husky voice of Rob Hynd. The title track is a wonderful instrumental filled with tango influences and warm string arrangements. “Springtime” is a lush, eloquent jazzy number that features the beautiful voice of Claire Laurent. The disc finishes up with the folk flavored “I have come to you” which features Stac. I was a little disappointed that there were only nine tracks here. One can’t complain when every track embodies superb compositions, gorgeous songwriting and talented musicians to match. Simply put, this record is a flat out winner.
Reg Dancy, 07/09
Seckou Keita SKQ - The Silimbo Passage
World AdventuresIf ever the term ‘world music’ could apply to a band, then it’s here. Seckou Keita SKQ is a quintet, consisting of Senegal’s Keita on the kora (a 21 string harp/lute like instrument from West Africa, played using only the thumbs and index fingers), accompanied by an Italian double/electric bassist, an Egyptian violinist, and a percussionist and vocalist both hailing from The Gambia. But don’t let that scare you; this isn’t some kind of hideous concept fusion group (the stuff of politically correct, right-on musical nightmares). Far from it. This is genuinely beautiful and uplifting music that requires little or no explanation. The focus is on Keita’s crisp, clean and impeccable playing of established West African roots sounds, with sympathetic support from the accomplished musicians around him, adding little tweaks of Arabic or flamenco rhythm here and there. A wonderful album that had me engrossed and that played all the way through twice before I even touched the controls.
Tom Breslin, 05/08
Secret Stealth - Mince & Onions
Bocajito RecordsSecret Stealth are Nottingham's Bob Sadler and Jim Baron and the oddly titled 'Mince & Onions' is the follow up to the duo's 2005 debut 'Ssshhh'. With element of disco, boogie, electro and house all thrown into the mix this should appeal to fans of the Baron's other project Crazy P. The soulful cuts 'Drive Me Crazy' and 'Hooked On You', both of which feature Holly Brackler on vocals are the standouts for me along with 'Free' a gorgeous string laced arrangement reminiscent of 4hero.
Andy Allen, 03/07
Senta Lain - Michel Ongaro
Hippo RecordsSenta Lain are a great band from Kenya who were formed by blind band leader Michel Ongaru 8 years ago. Michel is a multi-instrumentalist and plays harmonica, guitar, flute, drums, marimba and piano. Musically the band combine a wide range of influences and cultures which include Kenyan benga and soukous styles with gospel and Cuban Son. Very good.
Graham Radley, 05/09