As a wee one, Charissa Saverio hit the ivories hard and bounced around the globe with her folks. She might have become a barrister if it weren‘t for raves. Since then, DJ Rap’s been a drum & bass mainstay (considered the world’s number-one female DJ) as well as Proper Talent label maven. Following 1999’s monstrous Learning Curve, The First Lady of Jungle’s latest fuller makes its own name. Six originals, two remixes (of Ferry Corsten and Erick Morillo), plus two faves by Konflict and Concord Dawn pack the disc, which races along at a slamming tempo. Her sprayed-on outfit on the cover won‘t hurt sales either.
Sleater-Kinney The Woods
The greatest rock band of the hip-hop generation and the least cynical, too, these three Portland guitar-and-rhythm geniuses add Led Zep samples (ariatic vocal runs, interminable Bonham drumming, knock ’em over solos) and annex their own space in rock iconography. Nobody could do it better: their triple vocals, warbles, and hazy jams run on love whilst dropping classic ideas into the current epoch. The Woods is more overtly political than their last six albums, they croon and seethe about pop culture (“Modern Girl,” “Entertain”) and sensualize their own power (“The Fox,” “Let’s Call it Love”).
Deadbeat New World Observer
Although music can often be political, Montreal‘s Deadbeat (Scott Monteith) has indisputably succeeded in making politics musical. Embedding each track with a sturdy mix of dub, ambient, and techno elements, he tracks the arc of his personal dissatisfaction with a series of smartly-placed and expertly manipulated samples, a mire of electro static that eventually evolves into a slow-motion sonic battlefield. The definitive moment lies within “Abu Ghraib,” an eight-minute epic that shifts from a sample of abject, inexcusable rhetoric to a taut and textured ambient dub that picks up where last year‘s successful Something Borrowed, Something Blue left off. Undeniably Deadbeat‘s finest moment and one that actually earns its “Mission Accomplished” boast.
Starving Artists Crew Dedicated
Hailing from Michigan, the SAC has been making moves since the late ‘90s, winning fans over with their upbeat lyricism and classic-style production. This single features two quality jams from their Up Pops The SAC album, plus the bonus instrumental “Newport Sunset.” Snapping breakbeats, soulful loops, and good-times rhymes dominate, making this ideal for fans of PUTS or Emanon.
MED Push
On the double-edged lead single off his solo debut, MED comes through with two certified heaters. The Dilla-produced A-side is a mid-tempo club joint, with rhymes aimed at the ladies atop freaky synth squiggles, while Madlib hooks up the flip “Can‘t Hold On,” lacing memory lane flows with chunky drums, throbbing bass, and vocal clips. Exceptional.
Ohmega Watts That Sound
Down with the Lightheaded crew, Ohmega Watts is a producer to keep your eye on. Here he enlists lots of homies (The Procussions, Noelle, Manchild, Big Rec, Braille) to do their thing over a pair of irresistibly funky tracks. B-side “The Treatment” is also solid, but Quantic Soul Orchestra‘s neck-breaking remix of “That Sound” is guaranteed to get any party poppin‘.
Cesar Comanche Up and Down
A member of NC‘s Justus League, Cesar Comanche is known for his mellow wordplay and ear for quality beats. Having 9th Wonder in-house definitely helps, as the indie producer du jour hooks him up with some typically nice selections here. The Nicolay-produced “Jacob‘s Ladder” is aight, and the horn-fuelled bonus “Edited For T.V.” is loaded with choice ‘80s television references.
Various Artists Impeach The Precedent
With G.W.B. still calling the shots and war raging overseas, the time is ripe for some quality protest music. On this 16-track comp, we get a wide variety of jams from mostly Cali artists, with very few dull moments in the mix. Thes One and J-Live team up for the Mother Earth dedication “Give It Up,” The Globetrotters show “Love,” and Jazzanova delivers a finely chopped but ridiculously smooth instrumental joint. Other winners come from PUTS, DJ Einstein & Soup, and Crown City Rockers, while retro heads Poets of Rhythm, Breakestra, and Sharon Jones bring the live action. Smart but never boring, Impeach The Precedent proves that “political/conscious” music can still get funky.
Mathias Kaden Circle Pit EP
Mathias Kaden-the 24-year-old DJ, producer, and resident of the excellent Muna club in East Germany-launches three distinct micro bombs for our listening enjoyment. A well-tuned and energetic EP with its own distinctive appeal, Circle Pit delves deep into sound planes of bubbly basslines, low-fi drum cuts, and warm “hypnobotic” grooves that will penetrate the darkest club floors.
Shyza Minelli Nasty
A fun, slightly obnoxious release from Shyza Minelli, who comes across as a mix between Captain Comatose, Detroit Grand Pubahs, and Steve Bug. The original is a twisted, energetic romp but you might be more inclined to head for the B-side. The real rudeness occurs as Cologne’s MIA turns in a dark, stylish, and sinister tech-house remix that is one of her best pieces to date.
