Courtesy of Jon Freer (mosoul.co.uk) here are 13 reviews of available and soon to be released 12″ singles (sorry no cover shots or tracklistings this time):
Bajka – I Can No Poet Be (Jazzman)
This slice of spiritually aware Jazz could have been a musical child of the 70s, but is actually a brand new record vocalized by Bajka and produced by the funkateering Das Goldenes Zeitalter group. A furore causing sax vents its anger over sedating keys, an enslaving bass and spiritually inspired vocals on “I Can No Poet Be”. Pushy beats and bass shove a feverish sax and life pondering keys in the right direction on “Love’s Serenity”.
Das Goldenes Zeitalter – A Vision (Jazzman)
Organic nu funk earnestness meets lofty jazz spirituality on this rather charming three tracker. A relentless bass, horses’ hooves type percussion, delightful keys and a pain relieving flute produce the ecclesiastical image on “A Vision”. Mean brass, giddy keys and unfatigueable drums provide the forceful push on “Breakin’ Through”. “Im Würgegriff der Schönen Künste” is home to utopian flutes, keys that keep moving and an untrustworthy bass.
Landslide & Don Freeman – Conundrum (Sick Trumpet)
The immensely talented Landslide serves up the second release on Liverpool’s rising Sick Trumpet imprint. “Conundrum” is a fun broken step number, with chopped beats, synth hi-jinks and puzzled vocals from Don Freeman. The ‘Grimey Mix’ draws on Landslide’s love for 2-Step production aesthetics, shoving a nasty bass under polite strings and firm beats. Phil Asher supplies a minor key driven broken soul rejig, with carried away synths and emotional chords.
Tunng – The Pioneers (Static Caravan)
In an unexpected move, Tunng take Bloc Party’s ambition heavy number and reshape in an impressive manner for the folktronic market. Flapping in wind guitars, faithful vocals and light-footed beats meet on Tunng’s cover version of “The Pioneers”. “Tale From Black” is a gooey bassed morbid tale, whilst “Pool Beneath The Pond” sees a dusty banjo and romantic strings search for a dreamland.
The Strange Sound Orchestra – Strange Sense Of Liberty (Static Caravan)
The SSO threw down their conventional music making devices in order to make this EP using a host of weird and wonderful instruments. “Strange Sense Of Liberty” places artificial beats under jolly keys, cascading keys and a hummable bass. “Come On Dulcimer People (Pts 1 & 2)” is a rather weird number, with string type shakes, whispering wind sounds and a bass that could be made by a didgeridoo’s distant cousion. The Strange Sound Orchestra save the best for last, as the sugary kalimba driven “The Algorithim” rounds off the EP.
Kobbe & Trish Van Eynde – Exploration (F…U! F Com)
Powerful Techno is the name of the game here, with Kobbe & Trish Van Eynde serving up a pair of fearsome yet impressive dancefloor bangers. “Exploration” places a formidable bass under scowling synths and precise beats. “Voyager” is a belting number, with angular beats, a focused bass and detached synths.
Sao Paris – Ria (Remixes) (F Com)
Brazilian vocalist Letricia Maura and French producer Thomas Ferriere, of Limbo Experience fame, form the ear catching Sao Paris outfit. On this release, “Ria” has been reformed for Techier dancefloors. Fla & Chris Carrier’s remix dices up Letricia’s vocals, as a dangerous bass battles it out with controlling acid. Sex Schön’s remix is a downright nasty overhaul, with slap in face percussion, pummelling synths and a snarling bass.
My Robot Friend – 23 Minutes In Brussels (Soma)
Poppy electro fiends My Robot Friend arrive on Soma to cause some guitar fuelled electronic mayhem. “23 Minutes In Brussels” pits jolting beats and a demented bass against chimed keys and elongated guitar notes. MRF’s own ‘Super Jazzy Extended Version’ lets engaging keys and showy guitars flex their combined musical muscles a little further, whilst Tommie Sunshine delivers a couple of wailingly guitarred and heavy bassed refixes.
Jake Childs feat. Alexander East – The Pain EP (Freerange)
Jake Childs teams up with vocal powerhouse Alexander East on this straightforward House offering. Cold beats, glassy keys and a gratifying bass sit behind reassuring vocals on the original version. A wonkified bass pulls all the moves on Jake Child’s ‘Life After Death Dub’, whilst robotic beats and automated keys follow their instructions on Alexander East’s own Dub.
Boys Of Scandinavia – Why Do You Love Me? (Mate)
Lovers of macabre electro, shadowy disco and bleak guitar workouts, Helsinki’s Boys Of Scandinavia return with a twisted love song. Overwrought vocals ride assiduous drums and a chaffing bass on the fun original version. Marching percussion, arty guitars and a polluted bass make the Major Tweaks remix a darker proposition.
Digital Midgets – Caught Ya Wrecker (Backini RMX) (Cookshop)
Backini’s overhaul of “Caught Ya Wrecker” is the finest cut on Digital Midgets new “Delete The Frog EP”. Stop start guitar strumming, levelheaded keys and diced vocals meet on Backini’s stuttering touch-up.
Dr. Rubberfunk – Watch The Tables Turn (GPS)
Rubberfunk gets it right on this release when he ditches the vox and Hip Hop style posturing for some live sounding funkrobatics. Gorgeous guitar work, smiling synths and measured percussion makes the ‘Live Wired’ mix the pick of the bunch.
Groove Junkies – Just Groovin’ (Om)
OK, so this is never going to win awards for originality, but “Just Groovin’” is a likeably good-natured slice of peaktime House. Plum for the ‘Classic Roots’ version, where enthusiastic keys, loveable saxes and beautiful flutes do a sparkling dance.