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| Showing Reviews From 1 to 10 of 19 |
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Sweet And Sour Sessions Ep |
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Sweet And Sour Sessions Ep
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Brett Johnson
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Hi Phen
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Gavan Daly
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19 Sep 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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Stop Making Sense 'comes' complete with sampled virtual sex noises (forgive the pun).
This idea was a feature of house music 10 years ago and was ingloriously replicated since French Kiss within house circles.
Aside from this
anachronism, "Stop Making Sense " is undoubtedly the most melodic of the four tracks on this generic prototype of modern day driving chicago house.
The Palpitation Mix of "Heartbreak" also sits comfortably within deep house sets.
A bouncy mettalic synth riff carries the track through
from start to finish.
Interspersed changes in key from Major to Minor at regular intervals give the impression that the
pitch changes. Well arranged percussion complete with timbale drums round off what is a punchy
drum pattern, paying umbrage to the minimal tracks developed by Mood 2 Swing .
For real tough funk check out "Jacks Back" which takes off from where the Palpitation Mix of "Heartbreak" stops working.
This is a real techy affair with leisurely breakdowns that serve to fire up the techier dancefloor.
The only fault with the EP is that the four tracks lack a well rounded dancefloor appeal. Working the
metallic sounds to the bone is what Brett Johnson does best and the driving Chicago House
style is his forte but sometimes a bit of mellow would serve to enlighten the soul.
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Love Existing ( inc Blaze Remixes ) |
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Love Existing ( inc Blaze Remixes )
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Jamaka Underground feat John Lewis
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Wave
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Gavan Daly
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19 Sep 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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In times when the house diaspora has spread far and wide and cliched sounds have become plentiful, solace can always be found in the reliable "old chestnuts".
Wave Records latest release is a glowing example of this.Old school pianos ride the vibrant rhythm section on this uplifting and joyful number.
Immaculately produced with over-riding instrumental sections, this tracks simplicity works wonders. The spongey bassline soaks up a huge section of the mix before sweet and
mellow strings appear for periods of eight bars before allowing a new section to envelop the mix.
The Shelter Dub opts to work parts of the song rather than cutting up specific sections.
Complete with falsetto solos and careeering sax play, the Dub is merely a pre-cursor to the main tour the force
which is the full vocal. Twittering high hats and snares work the rhythm bringing a conga fest of
gargantuan proportions .
Blaze may have lumbered themselves with huge amounts of recent remix work but any percieved lethargy is certainly not evident on this reworking.
Not that the original is lacking cohesion. Furthering the classic NY garage style with simple organ riffs and
spiralling synth loops, this has the mark of a mid'90's Knuckles/ Morales Def Mix production. The Blaze remix merely allows each element to come to the surface at opportune points.
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Crumpled Cones / Metroride |
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Crumpled Cones / Metroride
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Swag
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Version Limited
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Gavan Daly
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20 Aug 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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Swag's uniquely deep production takes an even quirkier ride with this latest release.
Aiming the A side at the tech-house dancefloors, the "Crumpled Cones" Dub displays a
sparse electro feel. Old analog and drum sounds pound through the mix, meting out rigid rhythms and giving a slightly hypnotic feel.
Coming across with a simple warping acid bassline that mutates itself through the track, the drums are punchy and vibrant.
Clashing cymbals and lashing snares drop in mid breakdown before an old Salsoul vocal sample is plundered and re-jigged.
On Metrorride, another finely crafted piece of electronica is woven into a driving
progessive house masterpiece. This sounds like a 16B production with its quivering synth
lines and crashing percussion. Its riffs respond to each other simultaneously while
perky acid notes jump out at you from the safety of undulating synth lines.
Not immediately uplifting and with volumnous layers of production, this ode to tech house is sure to find a home in the crates of those uninhibited deep house jocks.
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My Love (mixes from Rawsoul Orchestra / Markus Enochson) |
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My Love (mixes from Rawsoul Orchestra / Markus Enochson)
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75 Moods feat Dexter Porter
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Flamingo
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Gavan Daly
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20 Aug 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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This fine and soulful vocal offering is the work of the Rawsoul Orchestra.
75 Moods allow their jazz-funk original to be revamped courtesy of Rawsoul Orchestra and Markus Enochson.
Some lovely lilting Rhodes respond to the soulful pleadings of vocalist Dexter Porter.
Mellow dramatic 70's strings in a Manhatten Transfer style, sparkle in the mix while
in the background a twist of Nu-Yorican soul comes shimmering to the surface.
Warbling acid lines rotate with disco-flecked guitar plucks oozing dancefloor mellodrama.
Funky guitars pluck the deepest of chords with complement to the melody.
Dexter Porters voice is raw and unfurnished without excessive undulation. Unhindered by style or convention, a true sense of emotion is delivered in the song and in the process almost sounds similar to youthfull Mick Jagger.
For me the strong feature on this release is Markus Enochson's remix which infects the
song and melody with a touch of summer.
With prominent conga drums and a latin style flamenco riff, this should bring any party bring the party to its climax.
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People Rule |
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People Rule
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A Man Called Adam
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Other
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Gavan Daly
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31 Jul 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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A Man Called Adam have been performing live on the White Island of Ibiza for 12 years now
and its their combination of blissed-out nothingness and downtempo vibes which give
credence to the term "easy listening". There's no better example of the style than this
four-track EP containing offerings from seasoned ambient artists like Chris Coco
who appears on the "People Rule" remix.
Craftily stealing morsels of Sally Rodgers voice
he clips them onto a haunting piano loop which ebbs through the track in a fashion comparable to the motion
of an ocean swell.
Opting for hip-hop drum rhythms on "Amca Doobie Dub", a rumbling reggae bassline
and wisps of dub echo around before smart pianos crash in to the mix. Low laden honey dripped
strings obstinately remain stuck to the mix.
"Viva SA" uses a breakbeat pattern with African tribal instrumentation and a nerve jarring
303 acid bassline that filters in and out before reaching a towering cresendo only to
begin at the bottom. The tempo lends itself more to the dancefloor but is largely eclipsed by
the presence of the final track, the Beatless Mix.
An absolutely placid ambient folk song with gorgeous flamenco plucked guitar which makes way for heavenly strings that ooze tenderness.
The full vocal version from Sally Rodgers calms the mind, much like their classic "Estelle" from 1995.
This is the soundtrack to a thousand summers. Getting the recognition it deserves will be a somewhat
more arduous task as its unlikely to appear on Chilled Ibiza Vol. 69 or other major label cash-sucking measures.
Bring it with you to the Pearly Gates though and you can cartwheel in ! |
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Space Rider |
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Space Rider
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Shaun Escoffery
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Oyster
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Gavan Daly
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31 Jul 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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Released last year with the original and MJ Cole mixes, Oyster once again take the bull by the
horns. This time however the results are merited.
The original mix is included but its the DJ Spinna remix that blows up my skirt.
Shawn Escoffrey must be truly fazed by the amount of remixes he has inspired.
Last years " Days Like This " (also done by DJ Spinna ) was championed by everyone from DJ Deep
to Louie Vega and showed that R & B vocalists have a huge part to play in the revival of true house music.
Punchy guitar flicks batter away with the sole purpose of shaking the hips while a simply thunderous bassline rolls in like a storm from sea.
Perky staccato keys pop up and sit merrily on a quivering violin solo which
careers off into the abyss of the track.
Barely audible off-key strings wallow around in the background while Shawn
Escoffrey's voice is complemented by an etheral harmonising section thats as good as his own.
File under "S" for sweet. |
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Listen Love ( Osunlade Remix ) |
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Listen Love ( Osunlade Remix )
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United Future Organization
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Brownswood
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Gavan Daly
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31 Jul 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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This remix from Oslunade comes on the back of some superb remixes this year.
He takes a resplendent male song wraps it in a jazz-vocal style, which is reminiscent of greats such as Mark Murphy.
United Future Organisations offering is a quirky, hot stepping number sung in blinding fashion.
A brittle Grand Piano solo tops off the upper end and some lithe Marimbas and Latin sounds
giving the freedom for some serious hip swaying movement.
The Oslunade remix lilts along with some fine percussion and delightful organ keys. Add to this a tremulous stepped bassline which brings the lower end to light before a slithering
string chord gives a fluidity to the track and demonstrates the chasm between the various strata of house producers.
Leftfield of his recent work in terms of style, Oslunade has sought a trail through the quagmire
of often gloomly vinyl releases this summer.
The one downside is that its unlikely to see a UK release.
Presently on Japanese import the price is most certainly not right, but will probobly disappear quicker from the shelves than Worldcom shares on Wall Street.
Conversely it is certain to attain collector status in a few years but in the meantime,
will serve to enlighten the soul. |
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Strawberry Lane - Remixes ( King Britt / Llorca Mixes ) |
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Strawberry Lane - Remixes ( King Britt / Llorca Mixes )
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Alexkid
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F Communications
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Gavan Daly
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16 Jul 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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Ludovic Llorca has gained many fans with his vivacious work. Last years Ian Pooley remix
of his album track " My Precious Thing " was one of the summers anthems . Previous excursions on the
F Comm label have merited such highlights as "The End", a jazz-tastic release from 1999.
But just like an evening spent drinking tequilas with Mike Tyson, things can quickly change.The mellow synth bass is languid on the ears and the quirky drums keep their direction.Stuttering vocals carry the track along, with brimming whistles in the
background and a melodic bassline.
Plodding along for an unappetising seven minutes, the key changes at the start of the breakdown, leave the track hanging , like an encore at the end of an Elton John concert.
King Britts epic 11 min version goes on a breakbeat voyage , and while using
some of the same minimal elements, attains more flow by virtue of a
bouncing repetitious bassline which carries the mood right along to the end. Some snappy drums
give better impetus , while a meandering one-note synth gives an eerie feel to the
work. This is further embellished by the vocoded vocals of "Its Over ". Not a classic F Comm
release but worthy of a place on the bench.
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The Ride |
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The Ride
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Matthias "Matty" Heilbronn
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Wave
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Gavan Daly
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16 Jul 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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NYC's deepest Matty Heilbronn takes a trip down memory lane with this stunningly musical
release on Wave, Francois Kevorkians deep house flagship.Slowly gliding into ever deeper waters with an offering that has much to offer,
both on the dancefloor or in the car stereo en route.
Brittle vintage keys skip over the top while a firmly compressed synth bass brings a
growling low-end to life.
On the " Deep Mix ", a variety of winning formulas are used while setting
the stall out. Offering delectable delights in the form of two varying yet endearing
basslines and a barely audible low laden string chord in the background,
Matty has achieved simplicity of sound through pragmatism of music.
A firm male vocal jaunts along like a careering horsetrap invoking us to "Ride Baby " but its the
amalgamation of the various sounds that give this track its flavor.
The flute riffs that skip over the top are pure delight while tight drums keep funky
to the end. Nothing too heavy on offer. In dessert terms, profiteroles with hot chocolate coating. |
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The Dupont Remixes |
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The Dupont Remixes
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Moonstarr
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Compost
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Gavan Daly
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26 Jun 2002
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na |
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| Reviewed
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Gavan Daly |
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The popularity of so-called Jazz house fusion has been brewing for some time now,
driven by wondrous slices of aural magic from Bavarias finest, Compost Recordings.
The latest 12" from Compost is full of more futuristic sounds. Given the level of support
their releases are enjoying from the likes of Kevin Beadle and Gilles Peterson, its no
wonder the label is rapidly becoming the blueprint in this genre.
The Moonstar remix of " Greed on side A is a rollercoasting ride into jazz fusion .
With a
tempo of circa 130 BPM's , this won't fall into the easily mixable category for DJ's.
Using cantering latin percussion and an awesome techno bassline, its inventiveness lies
in its unashamed breaking down of house stereotypes.
For me "Workin' Men's Hustle" on the B-side is more 4/4 oriented and is the
standout track on this release.
Its breakstep drum patterns have a warm, groovy vibe
which is carried along by old skool synth warblings, Jazzanova-stlye live bass
and an organ solo which is pure funk. Imagine Grover Washington with a drum machine
and your nearly there.
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