Music Reviews
Toco - Outro Lugar
Schema Records'Outro Lugar' is the debut long player from Brazilian vocalist Tomaz Di Cunto AKA Toco. Recorded in Rio and produced by S-Tone this is a stunning collection, based in the classic bossa nova tradition of the 60s. His interpretation of Edu Lobo's 'Zum Zum' is immaculate as are 'Assuntos Banais', 'Guarapiranga', the title track and 'Bom Motivo' featuring the sun kissed vocals of Rosalia De Souza. With the onset of winter this album is sure to keep those winter blues at bay.
PermalinkAndy Allen, 09/07
Tom Trago - Iris
Rush HourAmsterdam’s Tom Trego picks up from where he started with his debut; the disco flavored “Voyage Direct”. With his latest release “Iris”, he has enlisted an array of likeminded artists to enhance his eclectic soulful dance infused arrangements. On “Being With You” Tom flips the Smokey Robinson classic into a futuristic synth flavored club jam. “What You Do” is an electro soul gem with a wicked groove and fellow DJ Tyree Cooper fills in as the official hype man mid-way through the track. Om’Mas lends his vocals to the eighties inspired euro dance tune “So Cold”. With other notable appearances like Oliver Day Soul and Meikbar, “Iris” will certainly quench your thirst for twisted synth flavored dance tracks.
Reg Dancy, 08/11
Tony Allen - Secret Agent
World CircuitLegendary drummer Tony Allen oozes Afrobeat he was a mainstay of Fela Kuti’s Africa ’70 and here he returns to his Afrobeat roots after his more recent involvement with The Good, The Bad & The Queen’ . Produced by Tony Allen and using his tight funky band this is driving afrobeat with vocals from Nigerian singers Ayo, King Odudo, Switch, Kefee Obareki, Wura Samba and Allen himself on the title track and ‘Elewon Po’. Brilliant.
Graham Radley, 08/09
Tortured Soul - Introducing Tortured Soul
R2 RecordsI'm certain all the house heads out there have been playing this since it was released in 2004, but it's one I completely missed and thankfully R2 have given us a second chance to check out this excellent album. With predominantly house based tunes, these tracks are the best you can buy. Lead singer is of course Christian Urich from Cooly's Hot Box, who sounds as good as ever. Even though most tracks are for clubland, they mix Disco, Jazz and Soul elements which will even appeal to the true Soul boys. This is without doubt the best way to be introduced to Tortured Soul.
Simon Harrison, 02/06
Tosca - No Hassle
!K7This is the fifth full-length album from the Viennese duo of Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber and it marks a return to the classic Tosca sound after 2005’s more exuberant and club-friendly “J.A.C.”. As the title suggests, “No Hassle” represents an effort to create an hour of pure relaxation and musical escapism, free of the mounting pressures and hassles of everyday life. “Boring”, “yawn”, I hear you cry, “I’ve heard it all before”. Well, in a sense, you probably have, for there is nothing particularly new or earth shattering here, and these days we have ambient, chill-out music up the wazoo. But, let’s not forget that these guys really are the pioneers of modern down tempo electronic music and that they have been honing and mastering this sound together for at least 15 years. And my word have they mastered it. So skilled are they at crafting lush, slow burning, spacious grooves that you just sit back, relax and never once reach for that ‘Skip’ button. Sometimes more of the same can be a good thing, if the “same” is something wonderful.
Tom Breslin, 05/09
Transglobal Underground - Moonshout
Mule Satellite RecordingsSeventh album time and TGU move ever onwards mixing it up across the continents, opening with 'Dancehall Operator', an excellent way to set their stall out with a catchy mix of Brazilian and Indian , the title track follows including the brilliant Hungarian MC Rise and Shugmonkey (UK), Natacha Atlas with Iraqi rapper Naufalle guest on 'Awal' and on we roll.Look out especially for 'Total Rebellion' a collaboration with Portugal's Blasted Mechanism and the stunning 'Spice Garden' featuring legendary Bulgarian vocalist Yanka Rupkina. Superb.
Graham Radley, 08/07
Tread - Tread 4
Third Ear RecordingsHere is the next instalment from Japan's multi-talented Hiroshi Watanabe, also known as Kaito (Kompakt) and of course Tread. 7 tracks of the deepest house music that's you'll find on the planet. Lovely warm productions and lush keys that will appeal to fans of the Detroit house heads aka fans of Moodymann and Theo Parrish. Of course you knew this was going to be good because it's released on Third Ear.
Simon Harrison, 09/05
Trilok Gurtu - Twenty Years Of Talking Tabla
MantecaSpanning a most significant period in jazz, Trilok's fusion with the likes of Don Cherry, Pharaoh Sanders, Jan Garbarek and John McLaughlin are just some of the amazing musicians he has worked with and presented in this milestone release. Trilok's Tabla work on this release does not highlight his excellence but rather shows how he compliments other musicians creating a soundscape of jazz rather than indo-jazz as found with other musicians. For those of you unfamiliar with his work this would make for a great window into his world. Other recommended releases by Trilok are 1990's 'Living Magic', 'African Fantasy' from 2000 and my particular fave 'Miles_Gurtu' from 2004. Either way you play it, there is some great music with this man behind it and in front - go explore the world that is Trilok Gurtu.
Steve Williams, 08/07
Tupiniquin - Made In Sao Paulo
Curve MusicDebut CD from Tupiniquin and already he’s credited with helping restart the tropicália movement, one of the most important styles in Brazilian music from the late 60’s and 70’s. You get here the sounds of the city of San Paulo and all its influences so we get afro-samba, tropicalia, bossa with beats and rock to stir the mix. Superb.
Graham Radley, 09/08
Two Banks Of Four - Junkyard Gods
Sonar KollektivRob Gallagher (Earl Zinger/Galliano), Dillip Harris (Demus) and the crew are back with their third album as Two Banks Of Four. As with previous releases ‘Junkyard Gods’ fuses deep jazz sensibilities with modern production techniques to create a twisted yet beautiful soundscape. Valerie Etienne is on hand to provide her gorgeous vocal tones on delights such as ‘Queen Of Crows’, the spiritual ‘Shadowlands’ and the waltz ‘Dead Afternoon’. With other strong moments including ‘Go’ and ‘Flags & Words’ this makes for an unmissable and innovative album.
Andy Allen, 03/08