Music Reviews
Skymark - The Sound Of Silence
Modern Sun RecordsThere's nothing like a jolt of some twisted psychedelic soul that just takes your mind on a natural high. That's the feeling one might have after listening to "The Sound Of Silence" by Skymark. Skymark, who is also a member of dj collective Soul Sociedad has crafted an album filled with irresistible hip-hop beats, jazzy grooves and warped out synth arrangements that grab your attention with vice grip intensity. Among the highlights are “Understand” and “There You Go”, both of which feature the deep voice of rapper/singer Black Spade. The latter of those two is a neck snapping organ grinding beat treat worthy of repeated listens. “Ancestral Summer” sparkles with cosmic Fender Rhodes reminiscent of early Lonnie Liston Smith classics. The cosmic vibes and the thick mellow beats are augmented by the talented singer Ovasoul 7. “Pleasure Remix” is a bit lighter than most of the tracks here but no less exotic and entertaining. Joseph Junior sprinkles his velvet voice on the track to add additional coloring to this musical canvas. As gifted as these vocalists are, these compositions stand on their own as hypnotic and imaginative slices of future soul that should propel this disc to one of the highlights of the year. Highly Recommended.
PermalinkReg Dancy, 01/11
Sleep Walker - Works
Village AgainThe latest release from Japanese jazzers Sleep Walker is essentially a compilation featuring tracks which haven't made it on their albums plus their remixes of other artists' material. It kicks off with two tracks from the new 12" released on Especial, 'Quiet Dawn' and the amazing 'Wind' featuring Yukimi Nagano. The Bembe Segue fronted 'River Of Love' is also included along with their rework of Kyoto Jazz Massive's 'Eclipse' and a new take on 'Waltz For Moe', the original of which appeared on 'The Room - 10th Anniversary', a four track EP released in 2003. Their re-work of Jazzinho's 'Sim Ou Nao' is a worthy inclusion but check their blissful remix of Victor Davies 'Don't Believe A Word' from his recent 'Hear The Sound - Remixed' set.
Andy Allen, 06/07
Sleepwalker - The Voyage
Village AgainThe quartet made up of Hajime Yoshizawa, Masato Nakamura, Kiyoshi Ikeda and Nobuaki Fujii are back on top form with eight more future jazz classics. As Soil and Pimps finally received a well overdue European release, it's great timing to continue the supply of Japanese jazz. We were given a taster of things to come at the end of 2005 with the Especial 12" that included "Into The Sun" featuring Bembe Segue and the title track featuring then legend Pharoah Sanders. The beautiful vocalist Yukimi Nagano has also been drafted in on "Afloat". The formula and sound we know and love continues, with loads more Flute, Piano and Saxophone solos over the baddest jazz percussion in town. Over the following months you should be guaranteed to hear the soon to be massive "Ai-No-Tabi", assuming you support the right club nights and DJs. All in all, you need this.
Simon Harrison, 08/06
Slope - Slope is Dope
Sonar KollektivSlope has always been consistent over the years and never really put a foot wrong. Even though I write that, recently I saw some of his remixes being released and finding myself not giving them a listen. Some of the best tracks on Clara Hill's album were produced by Slope but again I didn't quite register, that is until now. This is one album that I went back to again and again over Christmas. With quality remixes from Henrick Schwarz, Meitz, Daz-I-Kue and Afronaught, plus Slope re-works of Fat Freddy's Drop, 1Luv, Deyampert and Daniel Magg this has finally woken me up to how good Slope is. Yep, he's dope!
Simon Harrison, 01/07
Sly & Robbie and Amp Fiddler - Inspiration Information
Strut RecordsI can’t say I saw this coming but the wealth of talent between these three men is undisputed so nothing short of quality should be expected. Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare need no introduction. They have been laying down beats and rhythms for just about everybody for over thirty years. Amp Fiddler fine tuned his funk skills while working with George Clinton’s P-funk group. He then went on to make two critically acclaimed records, “Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly” and “Afro Strut”. On “Inspiration Information”, Amp, Sly and Robbie sound as if they’ve been working together for years. On “Crazy Day” Amp vocals glide over the mid-tempo beats and while also laying down some nice organ riffs. “Blackhouse” finds Amp dropping insightful lyrics over a soothing bouncy beat. “Lonely” is a traditional reggae track that is tailor made for Amp’s passionate vocals. Overall “Inspiration Information” is an enjoyable laidback record by two legends and a rising soul funk star that will provide good vibes and immediate satisfaction.
Reg Dancy, 09/08
Soil & Pimp Sessions - Pimp Master
Victor RecordsSoil & Pimp Sessions return after their quality debut album 'Pimpin', which featured the full on jazz classics 'fuller love' and 'harbor', both of which eventually found their way onto a limited 12". With the release of 'Pimp Master', it seems they have finally found the attention they deserve, but that could be due to the big knob djs finally seeing what was right under their noses. Intense right from the moment 'No Taboo' kicks off, you know you're in for a roller coaster of a ride with yet more dancefloor anthems and modal numbers to give you a chance to get your breath back. This is proper jazz music for 2005 and I can't wait to see them live.
Simon Harrison, 05/05
Soil & Pimp Sessions - Pimp Of The Year
Victor RecordsIs there no stopping these guys?! It was only last month I reviewed their 'Crush!' EP, and here they are again with a full length album, 'Pimp Of The Year'. If you've been paying attention then you know the score, this is jazz with punk attitude. The set features 'Summer Goddess' and 'Crush!', the title tracks of their last 2 EPs along with goodies such as 'Worldwide' (a dedication to Gilles perhaps?!) and 'Sahara' with it's stunning piano work. My particular favourites though are 'Scoop Out' which sounds like a 70s cop show theme, the feel good vibe of 'Last Long', a solid jazz-funk affair and track 8, a beautiful modal waltz. This track has a Japanese title and although on some web sites it's translate as 'Fragment' from the 'Summer Goddess' EP it is not the same track.
Andy Allen, 03/06
Soil & Pimp Sessions - Pimpoint
Brownswood RecordingsReleased on Victor Records in Japan earlier this year, Soil & Pimp Sessions' 'Pimpoint' now gets a UK issue via Gilles Peterson's Brownswood label. There are no real surprises here just the kind of quality furious horn driven jazz we've come to expect from this sextet. Their version of Freddie Hubbard's 'Red Clay' is certainly one of the highlights but check 'Makuroke' with its twisted cosmic keys making it sound like a 70s cop show theme and the feel-good funk of 'Funky Goldman'. Also included as a bonus track is the brilliant 'Sahara' from their 'Pimp Of The Year' set. Look out for the track on 12†with a remix from Zed Bias.
Andy Allen, 07/07
Soil & Pimp Sessions - Summer Goddess EP
Victor RecordsSoil & Pimp Sessions waste no time in following up their recent ‘Pimp Master’ set with this 6 track EP. No surprises here just more of their distinctive brand of frantic ‘death jazz’. ‘Fragment’ is the instant highlight but drop ‘Ms B.C.’, ‘Sweat’ or the title track and you won’t be disappointed.
Andy Allen, 09/05
Soil & Pimp Sessions - Planet Pimp
Brownswood RecordingsTokyo’s funky jazzers zip into this one, with with their trademark infectious energy and the music they call ‘Death Jazz’. They can cut the groove down as well as, demonstrated on the delightful ‘Darkside’ or ‘Sorrow’ but my personal favourite is the suitably wild ‘Mingus Fan Club’. Excellent.
Graham Radley, 09/08