Yearly Archives: 2008

It’s safe to say that house music isn’t going anywhere. It may never achieve the status of other genres but the underground support is strong and has been for years. Besides, there’s nothing like the sound of a soulful dance track with deep grooves getting inside your body.  That’s the feeling you certain to have when you listen to “House Ain’t Dead” by Faith. A collection of classic house tracks and future classics by some of the premier dj’s on the scene today. One of those classics is “The Craze” by Prosumer, a Chicago inspired soulful track with a light but effective percussions and a funky bass line that is sure to lure you onto dance floor. Henrik Schwarz, with the help of Dixon does a fierce remix on Ane Brun’s Headphone Silence. Ane’s melancholy voice works well in contrast to the electronic deep house grooves at work here. I especially loved Pepe Bradock’s “Intriguing Feathered Creative”. The exotic synths and syncopated rhythms just add to the ambient feel of this wonderful track. “House Ain’t Dead” offers some traditional house moments and some twisted moments but overall the results are deeply satisfying.

Reg Dancy

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I 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

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The Part Time Heroes are two guys who have been consistently delivering high quality singles and remixes for an assortment of artists on the Wah Wah 45’s label over the years. So there has been much anticipation for their full length debut. With “Meanwhile”, they have created a near flawless nu-soul classic filled with great vocalists, crisp production and lush arrangements. The wonderful display of music and lyrics here will linger in your ears the way your favorite meal lingers in your mouth. Where do I begin? For starters there’s the opening track “Ready For Change”, the inspiring soulful dance number that features the gospel tinged voice of Pete Simpson. We also have the smash hit “Realize”, the jazzy number featuring soul-folk singer Jono McCleery. “Sun Will Shine” is a wonderful record that includes fine piano play by Ross Wakefield. Bridgette Amofah’s serene voice is so soothing and simply soars over this downtempo melodic track. Every track here is supported by warm string arrangements and a core of musicians who add multiple colors to a impressive canvas. I literally drove myself crazy trying to pick a standout track here. Don’t bother, just purchase it, let it play and treat yourself to what is easily one of the best records released this year.

Reg Dancy

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One of the pioneers of the West London broken beat scene, IG Culture returns with a spiritually conscious project that embarks on a journey through the history of black music and its culture. All of IG’s influences from soul and jazz to funk and hip hop are molded together here and the results are incredible. The jazz influences are especially notable in that you hear the sounds of Sun Ra and the African rhythms that is instrumental in his music. “Zen Badizm” plays out like a suite as the disc is broken down into three segments. The first segment is twenty minutes long and starts off with “Black”, a broken soul track that deals with some of the struggles within the black community. “Any Questions” finds the underrated rapper John Robinson (aka Lil Sci) dropping science about self empowerment and not succumbing to the traps that hold back youth. Bilal Salaam is a soul singer to keep an eye on. He sounds an awful lot like Eddie Kendricks on “Girl U Need A change Of Mind”. The only drawback for me is that this disc is only about 43 minutes so it left me wanting more. That being said, Zen Badizm is a great piece of work by IG Culture. The man has assembled a fine catalogue of quality music under many monikers and this project is no exception. This is essential listening.

Reg Dancy

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It doesn’t matter what musical arena Cassandra Wilson sings in, she puts her stamp on each record and makes it her own. That is certainly true on “Loverly”, a collection of jazz standards and blues classics. Many of the titles may be familiar to you like “Lover come Back To Me” and “Caravan”. The latter is an energetic remake that features the hugely talented Marvin Sewel on acoustic guitar. His playing throughout the disc simply adds another dimension to several compositions here. Another example is “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most.” Marvin and Cassandra transform this classic into an acoustic number that is just fabulous. In addition to Marvin, the band assembled here is outstanding. You have Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Reginald Veal on acoustic bass, Herlin Riley on drums, Lekan Babalola on percussion and Jason Moran on keys. With Cassandra you also realize just how closely aligned jazz and the blues really are. She dips her toe into the blues pool on several tracks here but on “Dust My Broom” she dives right in. She takes us on a trip down in the delta on the Robert Johnson classic and the ride is quite enjoyable. Overall “Loverly” is a wonderful record and further proof that Cassandra is in a class by herself.

Reg Dancy

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The Secret Love compilations have been successful at unearthing some of the highest quality of folk music from around the world. The trend continues with their fifth installment. As usual, the selections are a mixture of acoustic and electronic compositions and the results are sublime and peaceful. Some of the highlights are “Broken Promises” by Quiet Village, a dreamy cinematic slice of downtempo soul with strings. Recloose’s “Deep Waters” receives an alternate take, this time as an acoustic tune which works well when you have the velvet voice of Joe Dukie. “Down Down” by Thief also receives a makeover, courtesy of Philip Owusu, thereby turning this pop folk tune into a downtempo soul groover. For some danceable folk we are treated to The Rubies “I Feel Electric”. Tiedeye remixes this track into a funky electro pop tune that displays some percolating bass playing by Teri Loewenthal, soothing vocals by Simone Rubi and a guest appearance by Feist. With fifteen tracks here, Jazzanova takes us on a musical adventure through the many variations of modern day folk music. You will definitely enjoy the ride.

Reg Dancy

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Whenever Dego and Kaidi Tatham get together the results are nothing short of exceptional. Folks may be more familiar with Dego as one half of 4 Hero and Kaidi from his work with Bugz In The Attic. If only we can get them to record together more often. After all,  it has been seven years from the last 2000 Black album. Well all is forgiven now that we have “Next A Set A Rockers”. Dego and Kaidi have once again assembled a collection of soulful broken beat jams filled with warm chords, funky beats and a collection of great vocalists. The disc starts off with the mid tempo “Simple Sacrifice”. The sweet lovely voice of Nadine Charles just glides over Kaidi’s keyboard arrangements and serves as a perfect appetizer to the main course of treats that lie ahead. Kaidi works his magic again on “A Little More”, gorgeous chords and soulful vocals by “Baby”. “Dealt A Bad Hand” features the vocals of the dynamic Vanessa Freeman (Reel People). Rapper Ty closes out the disc with the energetic “Hey There”. With other notable appearances by “Face”, Lady Alma and Rasiyah, this is truly broken soul of the highest quality. If you enjoy the work of 4 Hero, you’ll definitely enjoy this. This isn’t easy to find but certainly worth the effort.

Reg Dancy

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Hard working musician on the live circuit ( last seen in UK as part of a package with Jessica Rhaye and Dave Gunning), this first studio CD gives Matt the chance to explore his songwriting. This is country style blues with a terrific studio band that includes Henry Spinetti and Dave Markee. Good stuff.

Graham Radley

Debut 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

This CD takes material from the Miami bands’ earlier CDs and introduces them to a hopefully wider audience. The band state their mission is to ‘blend improvisational electronic elements and turntables with Latin, funk, hip-hop and dub to create a sound that is unique – an electronic descarga.’ Excellent musicians combined with a love of playing live give them a real chilled buzz. Very much one to discover, if you’ve not already of course.

Graham Radley

Terrific line up including Louis Mhlanga and Sam Matuare for this excellent CD from Zimbabwe’s Chiwoniso her first internationally released album in over ten years, A strong supporter of human rights and social justice she uses her soulful voice to enrich the mbira driven melodies with songs that evolve from traditional to contemporary. Superb.

Graham Radley

Madera Limpia is Yasel Gonzalez Rivera and Gerald Thomas Collymore, their first album was released as the soundtrack to the 2004 documentary Paraiso which was about their life in their home of Guantánamo, Cuba.. On La Corona they blend local acoustic traditional music especially Changui with the music of urban youth in Cuba. Driving percussion driven rap, reggae and reggaeton underpinned by the roots of their homeland. Highly recommended.

Graham Radley

The title says it all, this isn’t some stand in the corner and look pretty kind of funk. This is pop your collar and break out in a sweat kind of funk. Zak Akhimien and Jean Claude Mighty have formed Amplified, a platform to showcase some of the most progressive forward thinking soul music on the scene today. I’m always a bit wary of compilations but I’m feelin the roster these guys have put together here. For starters, we have Tiombe Lockhart with the wicked funky rock infused “You Need Me”. We also have two of soul music’s up and coming talents here. St Louis native Coultran lays his soft smooth vocals down on “Girl Of My Dreams” and Bilal Salaam is equally impressive on “Noohustle”. Another one of my favorite artists on the comeup is Muhsinah. Muhsinah’s voice may remind many of Georgia Anne Muldrow. Her offering of “Construction” is a great example of the wealth of talent that is on the horizon. In fact “Dirty Soul Electric” would be a great way to introduce yourself to quite possibly the future of soul music. Based on this very enjoyable record, the future is in very good hands.

Reg Dancy

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Collection of singer songwriters with chanson and nouvelle scene coming back into focus again, indeed with some links to the past, for instance Thomas Dutronc, featured here with ‘J’suis Pas d’ici’ is the son of francois Hardy and Jacques Dutronc. The French connection stretches to Canada too with Pascal Lejeune whilst Rupa & The April Fishes (reviewed earlier) are based in the US. My pick though is Constance Amiot  with ‘Clash Dans Le Tempo’.

Graham Radley

Uileann piper from Kila ably assisted by Frank Tate (bouzouki) fiddler Steve Larkin and guitarist Des Cahalan. Most of the material is written by Eoin and he goes back to his roots for the source. Excellent playing with a gentle but driven approach to the music. Recommended.

Graham Radley