Category Archives: Reviews

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’.

Jax

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.

Jax

Breakthrough are the brain child of three up and coming Japanese producers who have set their standards high, just look at the list of vocalists for their debut: Bahamadia, Amp Fiddler, Bembe Segue, Gagle, Jneiro Jarel, Count Bass D, Maspyke and that’s just for starters. These guys are not messing about and with a whopping 21 tracks, you’re in for a real treat. Breakthrough is predominately Hiphop and Soul based with a Broken Beat tune thrown in for good measure, featuring the amazing Bembe Segue. This may cost a small fortune in Europe but it’s worth every penny. Top marks to Jazzy Sport.

Simon Harrison

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.

Jax

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.

Jax

Gil Scott-Heron along with his long time musical partner Brian Jackson have committed to vinyl some of the most important politically and socially conscious music ever recorded. This compilation focuses on the period between 1973 and 1980 and includes tracks from 7 albums. The timeless classic, “The Bottle”; kicks off proceedings before moving into the uplifting “It’s Your World”, “Johannesburg” and the haunting “Winter In America”, a track I have never tired of since first hearing it 16 years ago when I was just starting out on this crazy collecting journey. “Angel Dust”, “Shut Um Down”, “Alien (Hold On To Your Dreams)” along with “The Liberation (Red, Black & Green)” and a storming live version of “Home Is Where The Hatred Is” are all here. However, I’m currently hammering the tracks taken from the 1977 album “Bridges”, mainly because I’ve never heard them before. “Delta Man (Where I’m Coming From)” and “We Almost Lost Detroit” are amazing low slung gritty grooves but even better is “Racetrack In France” which starts with a happy clappy rhythm and blues intro before slipping into a driving synth bass lead electro groove. Pure perfection!

Andy Allen

Soul DJ Andy Davies kick starts his new Streetsoul label in fine style with this Chicago rarity which he discovered on acetate whilst working at John Anderson’s Soul Bowl record shop during the mid 90s. After airing ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ on his radio show the track caused a huge buzz amongst the soul fraternity and has eventually resulted in this release. ‘Joy Trip (Part 1)’ is a majestic string fueled two stepper of the highest order but the album packed full of quality tunes covering northern, crossover and funk styles plus a great version of The Lovelites’ ‘Get It Off My Conscience’.

Andy Allen

The second edition of Soul Brother’s ‘The Wants List’ delivers another 18 in demand rare groove / 2 step soul tracks to end the frustrating search for many a collector. As you would expect, everything here is quality from the album’s opener Kellee Patterson’s version of ‘I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More’, through to the finishing cut ‘When We’re Making Love’ by Denise LaSalle. In between we’re treated to classics such as ‘World In A Crisis’ from Barbara Mason, Edna Wright’s ‘Oops! Here I Go Again’, ‘Shake It Up’ by The Vibrations, Michelle Wiley’s ‘I Feel So At Home Here’ and ‘Unwanted Company’ from Jeannie Reynolds. It’s also good to see Samuel Jonathan Johnson’s ‘My Music’ included. This has long been a favourite of mine, a great quirky soul stepper with an almost mystical feel, taken from the 1978 Columbia album of the same name. One that was actually on my ‘wants list’ was ‘Sho’ Nuff’ by the sweet male harmony group, Sly, Slick & Wicked. This is a fantastic tune originally released on People Records in 1973 and sounds like The Lost Generation.

Andy Allen

To my surprise Fukutomi has produced eight albums prior to this release, which proves I’ve got some serious catching up to do. ‘˜Equality’ is aimed straight at the dancefloor and includes a fine selection of grooves this will appeal to the house heads, well the ones with taste. If that isn’t enough the vocalists are tiptop quality, which include: Rich Medina, Lady Alma, Ernesto, Victor Davis and Isabelle Antena. Top marks to Gav Smith for bringing Fukutomi to the UK masses.

Simon Harrison

Here 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

Tobias Meggle returns with his next instalment and he’s gone and released another classic. ‘Echoes’ includes a few new tracks, some remixes of tracks from 2004’s ‘Wanderlust’ album and some from the man himself. Things kick off with two corking new tracks, with Randolph Matthews featuring on ‘Call Out’ and ‘Common Cause’ with Clara Hill. I would have bought ‘Echoes’ on these tracks alone. Also included are wonderful remixes by Break Reform, Smiles Ahead and Gerd. For a bonus ball you have Sandboy’s remix of Gerd’s ‘So Real’ featuring Vanessa Freeman. Surely I don’t need to sell this to you any more.

Simon Harrison

In 2004 Kindred Spirits released “Amazona” by Catlett which was up there with the best of the year and hammered by every DJ worth mentioning. We are now in 2005 and “River Drum” has been in the shops since May. It seems most people-including myself completely missed this album. Believe me when you hear this, you’ll be kicking yourself. Produced, arranged and written by the man himself this is a pure 2005 masterpiece. Get hunting.

Simon Harrison

Atmosfear’s rare debut album ‘En Trance’, originally released in 1981 on Elite Records, gets a welcome reissue via Sanctuary. This is British jazz funk at its best and features delights such as ‘Free Tonight’, Interplay’ and ‘Invasion’ along with the Latin flavored ‘Duende’ and ‘Return Of LB’. This package also includes 4 bonus tracks, ‘Extract’, ‘Motivation’, ‘Outer Space’ and the classic ‘Dancing In Outer Space’ which were previously only released on 12”. Essential!

Andy Allen

I recall talking to Ed Motta about his musical influences following his appearance at the Jazz Cafe a couple of years back. He cited a diverse spectrum of styles from Black Jazz / Strata East to Barry Manilow. Fortunately ‘Aystelum’ leans towards the former, particularly on tracks such as the opener ‘Awunism’, ‘E Muita Gig Vei!!!’, ‘Balendoah’ and the title track. His Brazilian soul roots are also present and correct on the fabulous ‘Patidid’ and ‘Gueagui’. Of course he delves into the Parisian music hall style as he did on ‘Dwitza’, but on the whole this is an excellent set from an outstanding talent.

Andy Allen

Soil & Pimp Sessions waste no time in following up their recent ‘Pimp Master’ set with this 6 track EP. No surprises here just more of their distinctive brand of frantic ‘death jazz’. ‘Fragment’ is the instant highlight but drop ‘Ms B.C.’, ‘Sweat’ or the title track and you won’t be disappointed.

Andy Allen