New Music (Part 2)

Day off again in Cromer, so I’m off on the train to Norwich with Star Guitar swirling about my head, I’m taking this opportunity to share some more albums which have tickled my fancy over the past few months!

Hidden Gem

Following the bass heavy adventures with the Ninja Tuna I turned my attention to an album which. upon its release I overlooked, funnily enough. Listening to the clips of Floating Heavy by Me&You – (Tru Thoughts’ Rob Luis and Al “TM Juke” Cowan) I was generally not as enthused as I thought I would be. I picked up a couple of the freebies (Hint’s awesome remix of Sneaker Thief and Random Search, which in the end got the Richard Briggs treatment) and an MP3 of Elephant Takeover, which went down a storm at Planet of Sound. That said, I didn’t take a huge interest in the complete album upon its release back in 2007. However, having come across some updated clips, my interest was renewed. Having got it back in October, I’ve only now stopped listening to it on a regular basis! There is a huge variety of styles and genres which aren’t all that strictly adhered to from track to track.   It’s all very much dancefloor oriented (my kind of music, obviously) and there is a warm sense to the production, which makes it approachable with every listen. Strokes of genius are afoot with the likes of The Hoop Loop, the beautifully crafted afro-drum&bass of Wouri River and the funky house stylings of Sneaker Thief. If you like to dance, there will be something for you here!

Next up, is the third release from Australia’s premier funk band – The Bamboos. They return with their tight-as-a-black-hole, razor-sharp funk, but with a few twists as they broaden their scope for styles of soul they mingle with! Side Stepper features a host of tracks which are all chock-full of soul. The album kicks off in full force with Nightsport – a kind of Northern Soul/Funk hybrid with an intensely catchy guitar breakdown. Music all about dancing until the wee hours. Kylie Auldist makes numerous appearances throughout the LP as the band’s lead vocalist, delivering rich and emotive performances all round. Most notably on the soul cracker Make It Real. However, Lance Lanu Ferguson drafted in further vocal talents for 2 of the songs – Megan Washington on the boogaloo-infused Kings of Leon cover King of the Rodeo to sweet effect. The tune is a real hip-shaker and is chock full of b-boy drum breaks for those who like to get their feet moving on the dancefloor. Similarly, Paul McInnes’ soulful lamentations are remarkable on Move On, a foray into 70’s funk territory. There’s a lot to be excited about on this album. Given the opportunity, a lot of these tunes would get some serious airtime with the right opportunity.

ReWind

Again, in my melodious wayfaring through the internet and the iTunes store (to find, rarely to buy – NO DRM thank you!) I came across an album which managed to pass me by when it was first released. Turn out I was in year 9 or 10 when it happened, so we’re going back a few years now! Still, have you ever had that the experience of hearing a tune on the radio, on TV, outside, or in a club which you loved, haven’t heard all that much since and have no idea who’s responsible for it? I have. Quite a bit, and this album is a fine example of where at least 3 or 4 tracks on it fit into that category very well indeed. The album I’m referring to is Discovery by Daft Punk. In fairness, it’s an amazing, incredibly bright and intelligent album with nigh-upon flawless production, and I’m amazed that I’ve managed not to know about songs on it. OK. There are the obvious tunes like One More Time which you’d have to be living in a hole with your fingers in your ears not to know about, but tunes like the slightly more obscure numbers such as Aerodynamic, and the inimitable house pressure of Cresendolls. Similarly, although more well know, Harder Faster Better Stronger came as familiar but again, I only realised that Daft Punk were behind the quality electronic disco-hip-hop that makes it so catchy and easy to dance to! That said, Discovery isn’t just about show-pieces for the dancefloor. There is a real breadth and depth to the tracks here. From the idyllic Nightvision to the longing Something About Us, from the chopped up electro-ballad of Face To Face to the chilled house of Voyager – there’s a lot to appreciate. Versatile and crisp, shiny production. Nice. VERY nice indeed.

Coming back to the future (excuse the pun… you’ll see) comes an album I had to wait for a few months to get hold of. Certain, incredible tracks showed up on the Hospital Records Podcast. Along with a deep and dark D&B tune from Marcus Intalex (I’ll come back to this in a later post) was the hip-hop tinged Coffee by Commix, Nu:Tone and Logistics (previously known on the label as The Cambridge Four when collaborating.) Some old skool bass, beatboxing, a soulful vocal sample, scratches and the sound of vintage drum machines – it’s intelligent, driving drum & bass at its best. The Future Sound of Cambridge 3 was the album this cut was taken from, and it’s bright future indeed. 

Having never purchased an album by 3 different producers before, the concept was a little bit weird to get used to, but the choices are cohesive enough to to give it structure and flow without sounding samey. This is particularly noteworthy for the Commix contributions, which are very leftfield in their demeanour. Most feel more like dubstep (but aren’t) on account that they feel half speed, but still aren’t slow enough to be so easily labelled. This slight diversion aside, Bear Music is legendary with a deep rolling bassline that was meant for your car to drive very, very slowly through wherever you are! Logistics’ standalone efforts are typically euphoric and well thought through, giving you a real sense of excitement before each drop. Similarly, Nu:Tone’s pieces are immaculately produced and again, different from his previous work showing quality progression in style. The collaborations provide real interest with the Gresham Brothers delivering depth and variety when paired up. Sparks really fly when all 4 lock down into the studio for tunes like Coffee, the über-chilled Ghost Snare and the menacing Soundbyte.

ReWound

This album, I’ve had my eye on for a number of years. Friendly DJ and tuk-tuk driver Mark Burton (aka the Medium Wave Soundsystem) tipped me off to a gem on this long player which dates back to 1979. The cover of Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder on this album has achieved staple status at Planet. The album I’m referring to is La Cuna by Ray Baretto. It’s one of those releases I’ve got hold of which was for that particular track, and it’s turned out to be a good deal, as most of the other tracks are quality.

Staying on the theme of albums I’ve been looking for for an amount of time – Law by Cougar a band from Wisconsin fits that category very well. I had the privilege of seeing (and meeting) these guys in Durham while they were on tour in support of Maxïmo Park. It was a bit of a serendipitous occasion, as I had been invited to DJ in support of them as one of Ben Subotica Stein’s Antistatik nights I was around to see them perform, and that was quite honestly one of the most musically inspiring nights of my life –no mistake!    You would have been amazed if you had been there, I guarantee! Cougar combine a whole range of influences, rooted in rock music and fuse them with acoustic, classical and soul to come with a heavily rhythmic and polished sound. Their debut album, which was released back in 2005 is a journey through atmospheric sounds capes pulling every emotional string there is (and perhaps a few more.)  These guys clearly have a severely acute understanding of music and how to use it. Tracks like Atlatl demonstrate from the outset these guys appreciation for rhythm and emotion, swiftly shifting from gentle melodies through to 70’s style metal riffs with some tight drums and bass driving things through. Each piece makes you feel like you’re hearing a story being read to you – you can almost touch the characters and walk through the rooms of the buildings or into the fields (I could go on, but you get the idea.) I suppose what makes this album so enthralling for me is the attention to detail given to each piece. Melodies with syncopated counter-melodies and harmonies wrap you up in a fleece-blanket of imagination and wonder. (OK, that sounds a bit flowery, but you get the point!)

Coming to the end of this rather epic journey, I’d like to talk about a couple of (relatively) new releases I’ve come across. Raise The Roof by Lizzy Parks and the self-titled album from Liverpool’s 6ix Toys are two releases I had initially (one way or another) resisted investigating for one reason or another. I suppose, the lack of opportunity to play anything out is an all-encompassing reason which rears it’s ugly head pretty regularly for me. Still, both albums are accessible if you just want to sit back and take in the breadth of style and deft-touch execution. The former touts a variety of jazz-influenced styles from contemporary/classical meshes through to soulful numbers and on again to gospel-tinged builders. There’s a warm, accessible vibe to this album and some truly stunning performances from this young woman.   This is helped no doubt by crisp production from Nostalgia 77 and enthralling orchestration á la Riaan Vosloo and this is demonstrated to full effect on the “Instrumentals” disc which reveals the astonishing detail these guys have gone to. It’s really difficult to pick out individual pieces to recommend, I’d just say listen for yourself!

Moving on to a band I heard about through Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show, 6ix Toys deliver. Enough said , but I go on anyway! Their debut gives you a tour of soul in your hand, from banging funk tunes (Paint the Toon, Bend Your Knees) through to more jazz inspired numbers, (Wake ‘n’ Bake) tunes that bridge the two (Skreech), salsa-influenced-breakbeat-driven monstrosities (Misquito), all layered with a healthy dose of open-mindedness  with turntables finding a home amongst the rest of the band. Think about if The Apples and The New Mastersounds had funky little babies, you’d be in the right sort of ballpark. Also keep your eye out for an impressive cover of The Prodigy’s Voodoo People. Only a minor quibble with some of the lyrics but otherwise, fantastiche.

Part 3 will be available real soon kids, but for now, explore, find and share!

God bless,

Dr. J.