Basic Soul

Here is the launch of Leeds’ first Hip-hop compilation which brings local, up and coming artists in a bid to bring them to the masses. As I have lived in Leeds for over fourteen years, it is great to see such a positive project finally coming to fruition and there is some real quality here. Listening to lyrics that are relevant to the city where I live and hearing their point of view is great. Established artists like Breaking The Illusion and Junkyard Tactics feature but many of the other artists are in the same league with good productions and lyrics. I hope people learn from this project and start digging for other artists and musical styles in their own city, because there’s always quality music to be found. Roll on Volume 2.

Steve Reid is the legendary drummer who has played with all the big names over his some 40 year career. I could be all day listing artists, so I’ll let you do the search through history. Over the last few years Soul Jazz Records have reissued Reid’s excellent albums ‘Nova’ and ‘Rhythmatism’. Kieran Hebden aka Fourtet hooked up with Reid for some heavyweight live shows and then embarked on two new projects with him. The first was the Steve Reid Ensemble’s ‘Spirit Walk’ which was released again on Soul Jazz in 2005 and has already been reviewed here by Andy Allen. The second is the Exchange Sessions, which mixes experimental electronics within Reid’s musical heritage. Volume One is only made up of three tracks: the first track is around seven minutes and the other two are around fifteen minutes each, and the latter two give them chance to spread their wings a little. As with all of Four Tet’s previous work, give it time and all will become clear. Volume 2 will be released later in 2006.

Mocky’s third solo recording sees him emerge with a sophisticated brand of Synth-Pop far superior to most. With an ear for a catchy chorus, the former Peaches and Gonzales cohort builds on soulful, melodic foundations with club-friendly beats and slick, electronic touches to (mostly) great effect here. Warp’s Jamie Lidell co-wrote several of the tracks and lends his trademark falsetto to one. However, it is ‘Fightin’ Away The Tears’, a collaboration with former Broken Social Scene vocalist Feist, that really impresses – she is certainly a vocal talent to listen out for. That said, Mocky’s penchant for a one-dimensional, faux-Beck rap does grate on me, but there will be many who find this enjoyable, rather than just irritating.

Reflecting the Broadcite label’s own worthy output, this collection serves up the full spectrum of modern electronic soul, from the feel-good Hip-Hop of top female lyricist Voice (as heard on the recent Visioneers album), to Broken Beat gems from the likes of Brown (a CDR discovered talent) and Method Unique. A couple of Future Jazz fillers, which don’t quite seem to develop fully, do detract from the CD’s overall quality, but this is bolstered by some monstrous Deep House from Yoruba maestro Osunlade – his awesome Gwotet remix and NYC’s Quentin Harris. With several of the tracks being CD exclusives, and a welcome showing from Ashley Beedle’s much-loved Black Science Orchestra guise, this compilation certainly deserves a listen.

Already legends of the underground, Maspyke deserve to explode into the mainstream with this debut set of Soul-influenced, hardcore Hip-Hop. Roddy Rod’s tough, whip-snapping beats, reminiscent of Jay Dee’s Slum Village work, provide the perfect accompaniment to Hanif and Tableek’s rugged poetry, which is heavy on both intelligence and attitude. Released in the US in September 2005, this album is finally available here in the UK, and fans of Benji B’s Deviation radio show will already be familiar with some of the tracks. Infinitely more sophisticated than the thugged-out chart fodder that we are all bombarded with, and more energetic and dynamic than many of the independent artists out there, this trio strikes a balance that is all too rare in Hip-Hop.

Since 1998 Moonstarr has been pushing all things broken out in Toronto, Canada. More and more djs spotted this talent and he’s been a favourite with all the big names ever since. Here are some of Moonstarr’s best re-works and a few you may not have heard before. Re-works to take note of are Povo’s ‘Uam Uam’, Recloose’s ‘Processional’, Jazzanova’s ‘Another New Day’ and Greed’s remix of Moonstarr, which is one I certainly missed. Moonstarr certainly has his own sound and style and it would be a shame for you to miss out on this fine selection.

This is the debut album from Latin percussionist Luisito Quintero, which brings a mix of Afrobeat, Bossa Nova and Latin Jazz to the table. Quintero was apart of Louie Vega’s Elements in Life project, which may explain why his name is mentioned in the title, apart from maybe to sell a few more units. Quintero was born in Venezuela and, with help from his father, gained recognition in his early teens. This may be his debut but he’s worked on countless projects including India’s two albums, and with artists like Tito Puente, Ray Barreto to Gloria Estefan. Guest artists include Hilton Ruiz, Brian Lynch, Nestor Torres, Milton Cardona, Jose Mangual and Blaze, which work great with the heavy percussion and Latin influences. "Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo", "M’ Bongi" and "Love Remains The Same" are worthy of your attention but these are only the tip of the iceberg for this excellent album. BBE have timed this release perfectly, just in time for summer.

Jazztronik is certainly making sure we spend lots of cash – especially those outside of Japan – with another two cd release. As I’m sure you guessed by the title, it’s time for the remixers to have their way with the tracks from albums Cannibal Rock and En:Code. Both cds are jampacked with all the big name producers/remixers with their new interpretations. On the first few listens I am leaning towards Part II with essential re-works from Domu, Two Banks of Four, Needs, Louie Vega, DJ Mitsu, 2000 Black and that’s only half of them. The first cd is certainly worth a listen even just for the wonderful Sleepwalker remix of "Pathways" and Osunlade’s remix seems to be causing quite a stir with select djs. OK it’s expensive but worth every penny.

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.

This Album from the excellent and diverse Klein label has got a serious groove. Blauchklang are six “heads” from Austria whose only previous long playing release was ‘Jamzero’ back in 2001. ‘Many People’ is like nothing else i’ve heard. It would be impossible to pigeonhole, but lies somewhere in the ‘extremely soulful’ category. Don’t get me wrong you won’t hear this on Trevor Nelson’s show. It’s far too good and left of middle for that. It just has to heard to be defined. Vocal’s are a major part of the album, but the beats compliment down to a tee. Some of the vibe is totally uptempo whilst other grooves are slow and dark. Looking for something different that sounds like Prefuse 73 recording with Rhazel’s throat on Sonar Kollektiv? This could be the closest your gonna get.