Author Archives: Simon Harrison

Kirk Degiorgio – aka As One – returns after what seems like minutes since his superb ‘Out Of The Darkness’ album was released on Ubiquity records in October 2004. This album is perfectly suited to Versatile records, and moves more to his deeper electronic sound but still manages to keep soul. Here features some future house classics like ‘rumours’, ‘response ability’ and ‘this precious life’ that would sit along side any Planet E and Underground Resistance release, and those are just the first three tracks.

Hundred Stong: Basement Blues [Altered Vibes]

Some of you may remember the single ‘All Ain’t The Same’ from 2004, which featured quality vocals from Joseph Malik. well here is the full album which features Malik on two tracks, and a whole host of guests including Alison Crockett, Def Harmonic and Jason Todd. Once the needle hit the record I was hooked, the lyrics and production are superb with some basslines from hell. When finished I was sat there wanting more. Don’t miss out on one of the highlights of 2005.

Povo: We Are Povo [Raw Fusion Records]

Povo have been releasing quality singles on Raw Fusion for years and it’s great to finally hear their debut album. Approximately half the album is instrumental and the other half features quality vocals from Trine-Lise Vaering, Mark Linn and Ed Jones. There is the depth that you’d expect from the likes of Five Corners Quintet and Nicola Conte, where beautiful songs, modal rhythms and nu-jazz styles are all featured here. Vinyl junkies may have to swallow their pride though because the cd contains a few extra tracks including a lovely Nicola Conte remix of ‘You Are’.

Quasimoto: Further Adventures Of Lord Quas [Stones Throw Records]

Can you believe it is five years since first hearing the groundbreaking ‘The Unseen’. How was Madlib going to follow up such a classic album? As you expect he just carries on what he does best, digging for rare samples, some of Madlib’s finest beats are here with fantastic vocals and lyrics which include guests MF Doom and Med. It may not be as instant as his debut but give it a few listens and it’s up there with his best.

The Vanishing System: Head Computer [Altered Vibes]

to date this is my favourite album of 2005, and I will not quote that The Vanishing System is the next hiphop artist who is trying to push the boundaries rather than keep within the standard ‘jiggy’ hiphop, as we all know who they are by now. Produced by Jason Todd and DJ Epcot Center, this is about as mad as things get. The lyrics are truly brilliant and the production is as mad as a cow with a certain disease, miss at your peril. Jason has a truck load of music on the way, so keep your eyes peeled.

Various Artists: Creative Musicians Vol.2 [Perfect Toy Records]

For me Jazzman Records and BBE have dominated funk compilations over the last few years, with DJs like Gerald Jazzman, Keb Darge, DJ Shadow and Kenny Dope etc digging deep. Now Perfect Toy has enlisted Tom Wieland to hunt into his extensive record collection to compile volume 2 of Creative Musicians. Here are 19 outstanding recordings, released some 30 years ago in very limited quantities, or never receiving a commercial release at all. Rather than spending hours searching the net, warehouses and paying big bucks, just get down to your local record shop and buy.

Soil & Pimp Sessions: Pimp Master [Victor Records]

Soil & Pimp Sessions return after their quality debut album ‘Pimpin’, which featured the full on jazz classics ‘fuller love’ and ‘harbor’, both of which eventually found their way onto a limited 12″. With the release of ‘Pimp Master’, it seems they have finally found the attention they deserve, but that could be due to the big knob djs finally seeing what was right under their noses. Intense right from the moment ‘No Taboo’ kicks off, you know you’re in for a roller coaster of a ride with yet more dancefloor anthems and modal numbers to give you a chance to get your breath back. This is proper jazz music for 2005 and I can’t wait to see them live.

Quantic Soul Orchestra: Pushin On [Tru Thoughts Recordings]

The first question to be asked is when on earth does Will Holland get time to sleep, with six albums behind him in just four years. You’d be thinking he would be ready for a rock band/pop band break to find himself but no, he’s back with his storming live band where there’s no room for sampling, just pure funk and jazz. Like ‘Stampede’ there are some big cover versions and I think only Alice Russell could get away with covering Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ to such great effect, she can be found singing her heart out on 5 of the album’s 11 tracks. Their fantastic version of Mr Scruff’s ‘Get A Move On’ is here, as are some reworked instrumentals that featured on the Rebtuz bootlegs. Simply the Quantic Soul Orchestra rule.

Jazz Orkestar Radio: Televizije Beograd – Dirigent Vojislav Simic [Cosmic Sounds Records]

In February 2004 my Basic Soul Radio Show was lucky enough to have a guest mix from Zeljko Kerleta, the man behind Cosmic Sounds Records, and during that 60 minute mix he dazzled us with some amazing rare European jazz classics. Three tracks in, he played a track by the RTB Big Band, which completely blew me away, and Zeljko mentioned that he would be re-releasing this album very soon.

A few weeks ago this beautifully packaged cd arrived and I was straight on the phone purchasing one of the limited 500 copies vinyl copies [you’ve been warned]. Featured here is a collection of 70s recordings by the Radio Television Beograd Jazz Orchestra, very much in the style of MPS, which should have you all slavering at the mouth. All the tracks are original compositions and feature some of the great European talents around at the time, including Dusko Goykovich, Gerd Dudek and Allan Skidmore, to name a few. We should all thank Zeljko because we’ve all been given a chance to listen to this wonderful lost gem.

Hipnosis: Carrousel [Perfect Toy Records]

Hipnosis drop their second long player “Carrousel” on Perfect Toy Records after their much praised debut album ‘Jazz’. Here they continue the traditional jazz theme to stunning affect with all nine tracks being new compositions. The lp kicks off with the self titled track featuring the wonderful vocals of Merit Ostermann that will completely blow you away. In fact I’ve played ‘Carrousel’ to a number of friends and they have bought the lp because of that one track, need I say more. If you’re a fan of Ricky Tick Records, Teddy Rock Seven and Nicola Conte, make sure you have this at the top of your wants list.