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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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The Revelation Is Now Televised / V V - The Revelation Is Now Televised
BBE Records
After a handful of 12" releases for the MAW and its subsidiary labels over the past couple of years, V finally delivers his debut album. Produced by Jazzy Jeff at his A Touch Of Jazz Studios, 'The Revelation Is Now Televised' is largely a down-tempo soul affair. As you would expect the production and vocals are strong throughout but for me the set lacks a standout song. The groovy 'Confess' and 'Who Will I Be' are the better cuts but unfortunately the album omits the killer 'Confusion' which appeared on the recent T.R.I.N.T. 4 track EP.

Andy Allen, 10/05
Russians At Work / Valique Valique - Russians At Work
Freestyle Records
Hailed as the number one soul producer of Russia, Valique lives up his reputation by delivering a collection of soaring post disco dance tracks. Valique lays down the rhythm throughout with funky bass lines and lively percussions. This is evident on tracks like “Wine Or Vinegar” which features nice string and horn arrangements. “Scream For Daddy”, is laced with clever keyboard riffs. All but two songs here are instrumentals but those are highlights as well. “Where’s The Love” features Fanny Franklin of the funk band Orgone and “Out Of My Head” featuring Sofi Ocran are equally satisfying. Valique has already provided quality deep house and jungle tracks in the past. With R.A.W., he proves that he’s adept at creating quality dance music as well.

Reg Dancy, 09/08
Attractions / Various Artists mixed by Nathan McLay Various Artists mixed by Nathan McLay - Attractions
Future Classic
Introducing us to a stable of new artists from 'down under', the debut compilation from this Sydney-based label guides us seamlessly through Future Jazz and Broken Beat territory, Click-House, twisted Electro, and poppy Nu-Disco, whilst maintaining a techy, synth-driven feeling throughout. Despite a plateau in the middle, the CD starts and finishes strongly and, with nods to labels like Dialect and 20:20 Vision, there is some high-quality electronic music here that will have you dancing round your bedroom in no time.

Tom Breslin, 05/06
Deepblak Presents Blaktropolis Vol.1 / Varous Artists Varous Artists - Deepblak Presents Blaktropolis Vol.1
Deepblak Recordings
Just when I thought I had heard everything, along comes a disc out of nowhere to truly mess my head up. The music I’m referring to is Blaktropolis Vol 1 from Deepblak recordings. This compilation features futuristic soul in an array of styles from house, spiritual jazz, tribal and broken beat that will have you asking yourself, “Where did these guys come from?” Well mostly from Oakland where Deepblak is based. There are a number of contributors here that make this record a huge success. Let’s start with the opening track “Valentina”, a downtempo ethereal gem that sounds as if the African rhythms and the deep moaning voice are swirling around you and pulling you inside the music. The Aybee remix of Dozie’s “Sensuality” gives this track the total package, lush vocals combined with deep and soulful grooves. “Track II” by Trinidadian Deep is a deep house dish with gorgeous chords and soothing synths. There are other prime cuts by the likes of the Black Jazz Consortium, Mattski and Erik Rico that make “Blaktropolis” cutting edge future soul with deep grooves that you’ll find irresistible. This is not to be missed.

Reg Dancy, 10/08
Capsule For One / Vector Lovers Vector Lovers - Capsule For One
Soma Records
This is the second album outing for Reading born, York based electronica maestro Martin Wheeler. It picks up nicely where last years self titled album left off, with a superb flow of crunky 4/4 beats entwined with lush melody fuelled chords.

Those familiar with Wheeler's work will note that some of the tracks on this Album were released as a very limited CD e.p. under the guise of Badly Born Droid a few months back. The first single to be lifted from the long player will be 'Boulevard'; Rolling out at over 10 minutes this really defines the album's spaced out electronic feel. The opening track 'Nostalgia 4 The Future' and 'Virtual Kittens' see's VL stepping into more up-tempo dance floor territory which contrasts the superb blissed out tracks, 'City Lights From A Train' and 'Neon Sky Rain'. Be sure to check this out.

Jax, 06/05
Victor Deme / Victor Deme Victor Deme - Victor Deme
Chapa Blues Records
Oh what a joy this CD is, a debut from Victor Démé,  a 46-year-old singer from Burkina Faso. His rich, warm voice is of the sort to give you goose bumps, mixed as it is with some delightful guitar playing and a rawness that just adds to its charm  Very highly recommended.

Graham Radley, 11/08
Fondo / Vieux Farka Toure Vieux Farka Toure - Fondo
Six Degrees Records
Follow up to his 2006 debut and it’s a solid step forward with the desert blues so much the trademark of his late father now broadened out by the introduction of more modern influences. Check out the dubby ‘Diaraby Magni’ for an idea of the newer influences and ‘Wale’ for the traditional side of things, including guest vocals from Afel Bocoum and ‘Paradise’ with Toumani Diabate guesting. Highly recommended.

Graham Radley, 08/09
UFOs Over Bamako / Vieux Farka Toure 'Remixed' Vieux Farka Toure 'Remixed' - UFOs Over Bamako
Modiba Productions
11 remixes of 7 tracks opening well with Yossi Fine’s dubby 3rd Bass Remix of ‘Ma Hine Cocore’. The tracks all let the original shine through but take them in very different directions- so the purists likely to be up in arms but that’s their loss. My two favourites are DJ Center’s funky jazz take on ‘Sangare’ and Nickodemus’s afro funk take on the same track. Adventurously good.

Graham Radley, 12/07
Bold & Beautiful / Vikter Duplaix Vikter Duplaix - Bold & Beautiful
BBE Records
It's with great anticipation that Vikter Duplaix returns. I've been a huge fan since Critical Point's "Messages" and I had high hopes. One thing for sure, Duplaix has a wonderful voice, but "Bold & Beautiful" took me a little by surprise. I was expecting a mix up of styles, when in reality this is a more soulful, downbeat affair, except for "A Life Worth Living" and "I See The Sun", with the latter finally seeing its official release. It's two years since the bootleg surfaced, yet it still sounds good as ever. With expectations so high, I was expecting to be blown away, yet it's a great album that will grow on you over time.

Simon Harrison, 11/06
A Delva / Viorica & Lonitsa Clejani Express Viorica & Lonitsa Clejani Express - A Delva
Network
There is a really brilliant number of gypsy music releases just now and this one is straight out the top drawer. The village of Clejani in Southern Romania is the birthplace of an amazing number of brilliant musicians, including Taraf de Haidouks, their arranger and musician Ionitsa, with his wife Viorica, decided to branch out and form Clejani Express here we get both highlights from recent years and some brand new recordings. Top class.

Graham Radley, 06/07
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