Music Reviews
The Liberators - The Liberators
Record KicksIt doesn’t take long to recognize that the ten member unit known as the Liberators can play a mean brand of Afro-funk, and play it well. The Sydney based band’s debut is a crisp ten song collection of high energy afro-funk that percolates from one song to the next. The group was formed by Dojo Cuts guitarist Nathan Aust and he has assembled a cohesive unit with all the ingredients; a blistering horn section, wicked guitar rhythms and top notch drumming and percussion. That’s evident right from the start with “Multiculture”, a hard charging tune armed with an airtight horn section and a lead tenor sax delivering spirited soloing. “Rags To Riches” brings more heat, albeit with some funky guitar work and precision horn arrangements. Only three tracks feature vocalists and none of them disappoints. “Let It Go” is a nice mid-tempo tune with a strong groove and bubbling percussion that features Dojo Cuts member Roxie Ray. “Liberation” is one of the highlights of this strong set, a dynamic tune that features Afro Moses. Known in Ghana as the African James Brown, Moses puts a charge into the set with his singing and his energy is infectious. The Afro funk sound and Afro beat in general becomes more popular every day and firing up clubs everywhere. Let’s hope that this is the first of many strong releases by The Liberators to help carry the torch.
PermalinkReg Dancy, 03/11
The Mighty Diamonds - Inna de Yard
MakaSoundMakasound's Inna de Yard series is well suited to the The Mighty Diamonds with a stripped down collection of 10 of their best (although I was disappointed that "Pass the Kouchie" wasn’t covered) included are ‘Country Living, I Need A Roof, Have Mercy and When The Right Time Come. Very good.
Graham Radley, 06/08
The Mitchell and Dewbury Band - Beyond The Rains
Mr BongoI got a bit of a shock when I received "Beyond The Rains" because I had no idea there was any plan to re-issue this album and the press release doesn't make any reference to its previous release. Even though this album is 5/6 years old, it has not dated at all and it had been great to hear again. If you've never heard "Darker Than A Shadow" with Terry Callier, "Spaces and Places" with Fertile Ground or "Beyond The Rains" and "Love Is Flowing To Love" featuring Billie Godfrey, you've been really missing out. There are a couple of added extras "Kaleidoscope" with Lizzie Rendall, "My Words" with the ace Hipnosis and Mac Frank, and finally the release of Drumagick's remix of "Beyond The Rains". Here's a good chance for you to catch up.
Simon Harrison, 04/07
The New Mastersounds - 102%
One Note Records102% is the fifth album from my local funk band The New Mastersounds and if your tastebuds fancy some funk, you can never go wrong with these guys. There are no vocals but they've brought in Rob Lavers on sax and flute, who brings another dimension to their sound. Most of the tracks are their own work, except for a great version of Roots Manuva's "Witness", which is certain to gain them a few more fans, and ensure you check out "Thirty three" and "Carrot Juice". One thing I would love these guys to do is work with more vocalists. They've already proved they can do it with the classic "Your Love Is Mine" with Corinne Bailey Rae, and with Nicola Willis blowing up over 2006 and expected to do big things in 2007, it would be perfect timing.
Simon Harrison, 01/07
The New Mastersounds - This is What We Do
One NoteNMS return with more funk-fuelled instrumentals on this their fourth album. Most people seem to remember these guys for their funk version of NuYorican Soul's 'Nervous Track' and here they have covered Jimi Hendrix's 'Ain't No Telling' and Donny Hathaway's 'Zambezi' to great effect. NMS is led by the exceptionally talented guitarist Eddie Roberts and all eleven tracks are as tight as you'd expect with raw and stripped down productions. Keep an eye out for their excellent funk remix of Soldiers of Twilight's house anthem 'Believe'
Simon Harrison, 06/05
The Nostalgia 77 Octet - The Impossible Equation
Tru Thoughts RecordingsBen Lamdin's latest Nostalgia 77 project has got to be his finest to date. Available on limited edition vinyl only it includes 3 outstanding ethereal jazz works. The title track, a 22 minute epic is a disjointed yet essential listening experience. 'Well Being 1' features some serious drum work reminiscent of Art Blakey but the standout has got to be their rendition of Adele Sebastian's 'Desert Fairy Princess', a beautiful example of modality.
Andy Allen, 09/06
The Nostalgia 77 Octet - Weapons Of Jazz Destruction
Tru Thoughts RecordingsBenedic Lamdin keeps the pressure on with yet another exquisite release under the guise of The Nostalgia 77 Octet. Again this is deep jazz of the highest order and features outstanding moments such as the funked up 'Journey Home', 'Chola', a stunning waltz and the modal 'Stars' fronted by vocalist Sophie Smith. Sophie also graces 'One Step Out' and 'To Have Or To Be?', two spiritual outings. Not to be overlooked though are the gentle meanderings of 'Medusa' and 'When Love Is Strange'.
Andy Allen, 12/07
The Nova Dream Sequence - Interpretations
Compost RecordsKing Britt has covered most of the musical bases over the years with aliases Sylk 130, Scuba, Oba Funke and Firefly, and now he moves to the dark side- techno. With Carl Craig's remixes causing a stir around the world at the moment, it's the perfect time for "Interpretations" to be heard. You get the impression that Britt dug out and listened to all the classic techno tracks, digested the best ideas and then took them into the studio mixing pot to create some beautiful electronica that will keep the heads happy. It'll be interesting to see what's next: drum and bass maybe?
Simon Harrison, 07/06
The Outside Track - The Outside Track
Bedspring MusicAnother terrific new young band rooted in tradition but exploring the future with equal enthusiasm. Songs by Karine Polwart (thaney) and Ar Williams (Fishing In The Morning) sit alongside material sourced in Scotland, Cape Breton, Ireland and Galicia. Very good.
Graham Radley, 12/07
The Perceptions - Introducing....
Freestyle RecordsThe Perceptions are an ensemble of some of the UK’s finest musicians displaying their affection for the 60’s soul-jazz era. Among the members are Gary Crockett on bass, John Wilma on sax and the dynamic Snowboy on percussion who also serves as the band leader. When you reflect on that era you can’t ignore the presence of the Hammond B-3 Organ and the role it played in the music. Sam Gambarini’s organ playing evokes memories of Richard “Groove” Holmes and Jack McDuff and takes the music to another level. The band comes out swinging hard on “Right Or Wrong”, a funky tune that finds John Wilma out front on Tenor with a sound that is rich and provides plenty of depth. “Nick’s Knack” is another funky number that features the crisp guitar playing of Leigh Gracie. John Wilma and Sam Gambarini also take turns strutting their stuff on this neck snapping, finger popping track. “Running The Risk” is a mid-tempo groover that delivers funk so thick you need a knife to cut through it. For a minute I thought I was listening to the JB’s in the middle of one of their jam sessions. The Perceptions aren’t fooling around here. They swing hard and often and sound right at home making soulful funky music. If you dug the sounds of Jack McDuff, Stanley Turrentine and the countless other artists that were laying down the groove then record is definitely for you.
Reg Dancy, 10/08