Coloma: Dovetail [Klein Records]
When i sit and write reviews the hardest part for me is the comparisons with other music i’ve heard. It’s not that i think everything sounds like something else and has little originality, i just feel that if the reader has something to compare it too then it makes thing a little simpler and more understandable. Well, with this Coloma album on Austria’s Klein label i’m not even gonna think who they sound like for one second because they sound like no one else. Two Brits now based in Germany recording some elegant vocal tracks backed with some sublime music throughout the whole album. It’s definitely pop music, it’s definitely electronic music, it’s definitely electronic pop music. ‘Dovetail’ is the duo’s third album outing and they’re most mature to date. Likeable to the fact that the vocals are clean, the production is simple and tight and the combination of both provides a stunning piece of music from two musicians who deserve more credit outside their adopted land.
Various Artists: Trojan Sound System Vol.1 [Sanctuary Records]
Due for release in late May this compilation from Sanctuary aims to fuse together the classic sounds of the reggae world with the vibe of the original sound system culture. Mixed by the Trojan Sound System, it certainly hits the mark on both counts. The album is jam packed with reggae favourites from Junior Murvin, Harry J All stars, Johnny Clarke and Keith Hudson but to name a few, but this is not a straight up mixed compilation. The Trojan Sound System have recreated the true sound system vibe and have added siren sampled sounds along with their own MC crew toasting over the tunes and ting. The whole thing works really well and for reggae lovers is an essential purchase with Summer round the corner.
Voom Voom: Peng Peng [K7!]
This is Voom Voom’s first full length album after a string of 12″s released over the last few years on K7! Voom Voom is the pairing of Peter Kruder and Fauna Flash, and if you were expecting loads of chilled K&D style breaks n beats? then you will be surprised indeed.
Most of the Tracks are 4/4 dancefloor numbers are designed to make you dance rather than chill. Lots of electronic noises sit side by side with twisted vocal stabs and bubbling basslines.
The album is getting released as 4 separate 12″s over the next few month’s. The first of those is already out and features the tracks ‘All I Need’ and ‘Sao Verought’. But each of the 4 separate vinyls are limited to 2000 so you best be quick. The CD will be appearing in the Spring featuring all the tracks that appear on the vinyl.
I’m really loving the album, but I can see a few of the tracks rubbing the purists up the wrong way with the rock guitar samples, off-kilter b-lines and electro beats . I’ll be giving some of the tracks main room action over the coming month’s cause I reckon it’ll get em grooving for sure.
DJ Derek Presents: Sweet Memory Sounds [Trojan Records]
Who the hell is DJ Derek and how comes he gets to do a compilation for one the World’s best reggae label’s? If this is what your thinking then here is the answers. Derek is in his late 60’s, used to be in a skiffle band, used to be an accountant and has a phenomenal collection of waistcoats. But this surely doesn’t qualify him to be compiling for Trojan does it? Well, he’s also got a monstrous collection of over 25,000 reggae and ska tracks spanning over 4 decades and has been spinning them to punters for over 30 years the world over. He’s not just a DJ, he’s a performer! So what’s he chosen as his favourite tracks? Well it ranges from roots, to rocksteady through to classic reggae vibes. There are tracks by Toots, John Holt, Johnny Clarke and Dennis Brown. There’s also compilation fave ‘Police And Thieves’ by Junior Murvin plus two classics from Max Romeo. If it’s solid classics you’re after along with the odd forgotten gem then DJ Derek’s selection will be your cup o’ cha. The CD is unmixed (always a bonus with reggae compilations) and contains 22 tracks full of reggae goodness. More splendid vibes from the ever trust worthy Trojan stable.
Nathan Fake: Drowning In A Sea Of Love [Border Community]
Now this guy has been hotly tipped as one to watch for 2006, with his work compared to Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine and Sigur Ros. Well, I’m not sure about the latter but it definitely has hints of ‘Loveless’ in this album and you can also hear the influence of Mogwai scattered about.
Self confessed non-DJ, Fake is a live performer who has been on the scene now for a few years with many a 12" kickin’ about on James Holden’s Border Community label. His live sets definitely cater more for the dance floor whilst ‘Drowning’ is the mellower side of his work.
The album is a brilliant chord driven, chime tingling timeless beauty that will get electronic fans buzzing around their robotic communities.
With this sort of talent this guy is gonna be around for a long time. Those in the know will already be looking forward to this release, but if this is the first time you’ve heard his name and are a fan of Boards Of Canada, M83 or Vector Lovers then definitely give it a listen.
Nightmares On Wax: In A Space Outta Sound [Warp]
This is George’s fifth studio album and 4 years since the release of the last N.O.W. long player ‘Mind Elevation’. Respect goes out to the fact that George Evelyn is the longest serving artist on the legendary Warp Records label and is about to drop some tunes on his very own label ‘Wax On Records’.
‘In A Space Outta Sound’ is exactly what you’d expect from a Nightmares On Wax album. Massively chilled, full of soulful beats and teasing with the odd vocal here and there. Those expecting something different from the usual N.O.W. stuff will not find it on this album. But don’t get me wrong, the sound George creates, he creates very well and the beats on this album do sound fresh and are definitely aimed at the more laid back situation if you know what I mean.
Nightmares On Wax fans will dig the album for sure and it’ll be good to hear these new tunes performed live where I feel you’ll be given a new dimension to the sound. It’s no ‘Smokers Delight’ but that was an album of it’s time. ‘In A Space’ Is less sparse with more a groove, great production and a overall quality vibe. A solid soulful number 5 for N.O.W.
Dangerdoom: The Mouse And The Mask [Lex Records]
I’d been looking forward to this coming out a long time before its general release. The combination of one of my favourite rappers with one of the World’s hottest producers surely wouldn’t fail? I was right.
This album has more of an up-tempo vibe for old Metal Face with the addition of some superb guest MC’s:- Ghostface appears on ‘The Mask’, Cee Lo’s on ‘Benzie Box’ and Talib Kwali features on my favourite track on the script – ‘Old School’, which does exactly what it says on the tin.
The whole album is scattered around the US cartoon ‘Adult Swim’. There are skits-a-plenty featuring the voices of Adult Swim characters and these are not only humourous but fit like a glove with the rest of the long player.
The basslines are fat, the lyrics are ‘Sofa King’ good, it just gel’s. This is without doubt my Hip Hop album of zero five.
You like doom? You’ll like this. You like good quality non-commercial Hip Hop? You’ll like this. If you don’t buy this album your stupid!!!
Various Artists: Renovations [Tokyo Dawn Records]
This double album from Tokyo Dawn records is totally rammed to the brim with corking instrumental’s, slow jamz, sultry soul, fat hip-hop and adult house vibes.
With a whopping 35 tracks spread over 2CD’s – this really is what a quality value compilation is all about.
The first cut focuses more on the down tempo side – but don’t get me wrong, this is down-tempo not downbeat. There is the experimental beat process of the ‘Radiobugs’ side by side with the bumping tones of ‘The Tape Vs RQM’. The blissed out ‘Jumper’ by Spencer Doran is so short and sweet you could almost miss it, and the track by ‘Causes & Forces’ sounds like its been lifted from some classic Blaxploitation movie.
The second slab is a more housey affair, lots of low-slung 4/4 drums for those 4 a.m. moments or back room warm-ups. Some of the tracks sound like a cross pollination of noises from Herbert and Charles Webster’s studio’s. The more ‘well-known’ artists appear on this second slice with tracks by the excellent Henrik Schwarz and Maddslinky along with Tokyo Dawn favourites Comfort Fit.
This label really knows how to compile a very audible album, which I would definitely recommend to the discerning listener who likes their beats slightly altered and not from the mainstream.
Boards Of Canada: The Campfire Headphase [Warp Records]
These boys from Scotland are the real deal in electronica. Everything they do is highly anticipated in the world of the laptop hugging and beard stroking fraternity. They rarely give interviews or do photo shoots, preferring to communicate through their music. Respect.
This is their third full album, following on from 1999’s excellent ‘Geogaddi’. On first listen I like it a lot, on second listen I realise why. The Campfire Headphase is sublime electronica for all seasons. I would say this sounds more like their Skam stuff and ‘Music Has The Right To Children’ than the later stuff. There are dreamier guitar scapes and fewer oddities on the beat front. But it’s very in sounding with the usual Boards Of Canada work.
For those who like their beats (less) then this won’t disappoint. It’s another gem from Boards Of Canada released once again on the greatest electronic label to ever grace record shops.
Various Artists: Fabric 24 – Mixed By Rob Da Bank [Fabric]
Now what a daunting proposition Rob had about a year ago. Radio 1 wanted him to take over from the mighty John Peel – the greatest radio DJ who has ever lived. I think Rob’s done a stern job and now Fabric have come knocking so he can interpret his diverse taste onto one of their highly respected compilations. Those familiar with Rob Da Bank’s radio shows or DJ sets will know that his taste is very broad and in a good way, all over the shop.
This Fabric CD is pretty much in the same vein, except it’s mixed and mixed very well indeed. He selects some belters from Nathan Fake and Michael Mayer before dropping in the timeless DJ friend ‘Spastik’ by yer man Richie Hawtin. In the latter stages of the mix he flips to some great indie dance (urggggh awful phrase) in the form of the Futureheads and The Fiery Furnaces before finalising the mix with 2 of house music’s seminal masterpieces from Mr Fingers and Frankie Knuckles. This is good stuff from fabric – may they continue to treat us to quality compilations.
Leftfield: A Final Hit: Greatest Hits [Hard Hands]
After just 2 long players and countless remix packages, the now defunct Leftfield release a greatest hits album packed to the rafters with household favourites.
All the classics are on here, they’ve even included the Sasha early mix-tape anthem “Not Forgotten” – a definitive early progressive house number. It took them ages to release albums and they were never as prolific as Orbital or Underworld but their input into providing quality dance productions was equally as important.
You might think to yourself “Well, I’ve got both albums, so why bother with a best of? Well, this greatest hits CD version comes with a bonus DVD with seven excellent Leftfield videos plus five of the tracks are on neither Leftism or Rhythm & Stealth, so you are getting some new/old sounds.
It’s a good greatest hits album – Leftfield have now bowed out as a duo but their importance to the dance scene is still very relevant. The production of the tracks is second to none and it’s worth a look-in just for the extra tracks and DVD. Gone but ‘Not forgotten’.
Roots Manuva: Awfully Deep [Big Dada Records]
Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva releases his third album for Ninja Tune’s baby brother – Big Dada. Mr Manuva manages to surpass himself once more with that distinctive voice and experimental riddums. Two singles: ‘Colossal Insight’ and ‘Too cold’ have already graced the shelves in rekkid stores across the planet featuring some superb remixes alongside the originals. Now Roots is a real marmite situation, you either like his style of vocal or you hate it. This dude has written some brilliant songs in the past and there are plenty more to be devoured from this album.
I think Roots Manuva has matured even more with this release. Some of the beats are very original and he proves that he’s still not scared about rhyming about the real deal in this messed up land we call home. If you still haven’t bought this gem then at least give it a listen – Roots Manuva fans will love it.
Part 2: Live From The Breadline [Big Dada Records]
Part 2 of New Flesh fame unleashes his first solo album on the Big Dada label. This album has been work in progress for a few years now as he is been kept busy with New flesh and various other side projects. The album is rammer-jammed with superb guest vocalists entwinded with very fat sounds ranging from Grime to Reggae to Detroit fuelled rhythms.The double A-side of ‘Get Square feat. Fallacy’ and ‘Will It Ever feat. Sandra Melody is already getting some great response in the press and on the floor – and i’m sure the full deal will receive the same praise on its release at the end of Sept ’05. The beats are fully loaded and he’s really gotten the most from his vocalist side-kicks. Well worth checking out.
The Juan Maclean: Less Than Human [DFA Records]
This is juan maclean’s debut album on James Murphy’s highly respected DFA label. The style is very LCD soundsystem, infact it could almost be a collection of lost tracks from LCD’s first masterpiece. Firing along at a dubbed out discotronic tempo, the production on this album is second to none. Live instrumentals fused with sample based beats – It’s all very tight indeed. “Tito’s Way” was recently lifted as the first single and the last track – “Dance With Me”, an epic tripped out burner is due to be their next 12″ release. Fans of LCD with no doubt appreciate this DFA sound. Slightly more toned down and minus Murphy’s vocal exploits – this is trademark DFA sounding stuff.
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.