Mos Def isn‘t a hip-hop artist, he‘s simply an artist, no other adjectives attached. The New Danger takes the history of American black music and makes it an indistinguishable collage. Alongside an incredible backing band (Will Calhoun, Doug Wimbish, Bernie Worrell, Dr. Know), Def perfects rock (“Zimallabim”) blues (“Blue Blue Jack”), soul (“The Panties”) and spirituals/funk (“Modern Marvael”). When he does dip into the rap game, he‘s as strong as ever: The tribal, percussive first single “Sex, Love & Money” and crackling, vintage sound of “Grown man Business” prove he hasn‘t gone anywhere-he‘s merely matured beyond recognition.
Various Artists World Dub Pastry
Focused on the obscure (but growing) Balearic dub scene, label head Kenneth Bager drops this compilation from his record bag goody list. A mish-mash of tech-heavy minimalist electronica dosed with videogame worthy bleeps, the vision is a dreamscape filled with world dub influences. Overall, the comp is a mixed bag, with repetitively mediocre cuts alongside solid tracks from 2 Raumwohnung, Banzai Republic and Tomzen. The highlight is Joe Dukie & DJ Fitchie refreaking their incredible live outfit, Fat Freddy‘s Drop, from organic Rastafarianism into digital Nyabhingi.
Various Artists Osunlade Presents The Yoruba Soul Mixes
A devotee of Yoruba culture, NY-based producer Osunlade offers a broad definition of soul throughout this 12-track remix album. Crafted by his dexterous fingers, the multi-instrumentalist and spiritual wanderer gives a gorgeous touch to Mali‘s “Golden Voice,” Salif Keita, and wittingly lifts Cape Verdean Césaria Évora‘s morna from the deep blues. Further facelifts to Roy Ayers and Shazz add solid grooves to sweet melodies, but when tweaking cuts by Keziah Jones, Spacek and 4hero, his soul light plunges existing mediocrity into further abyss.
Various Artists Rewind! 4
This annual series of transformed vintage soul, reggae and R&B has become a classic itself. Chapter four opens with Sharon Jones and Lee Fields making funky “This Land is Your Land” and never has Woody Guthrie‘s folk staple glared with such luster. Like the previous three, Rewind! 4 is a mixed bag, but the strength and uniqueness of certain cuts makes it worthwhile. Willis‘ soulful rendition of Cameo‘s “Word Up!” rules, and a meticulous cover of the White Stripes‘ “7 Nation Army” by Nostalgia 77 takes garage rock out of the head and adds heart. The only rule is to sound old and, obviously, funky. Sometimes a step back really is a few forward.
Michael Mayer Touch
Those familiar with the Kompakt “sound” will find Michael Mayer‘s debut LP a pleasant (if not terribly original) listen. Touch combines elements of techno, house, electro, and–dare I say it–progressive into a user-friendly, non-threatening mélange. Deep-house single “Privat” and the Lil‘ Louis-echoing “Neue Luthersche Fraktur” are both solid tracks, but the standouts come later, Though awkwardly named, “Funky Haddicap” is far from it–heroin strings and warbly Em-u-sampled basslines meet pre-pubescent vocals over a lush, chugging rhythm. “Amabile” is one of those triplet-beat tracks that have been appearing lately–pulsating, hypnotic, and unabashedly digital, it is by far the best moment on this album. Given a chance, this LP may Touch you after all.
The Poison Arrows Poison Arrows EP
A certain Vangelis-like quality permeates this EP, where slow technological drum patterning and distant vocals provide a nice counterpoint to haunting strings and engine-room ambience. “Trailer Park” and “We Take” demonstrate a pleasant song-oriented aesthetic, while “Bad Data Trip” and the Martin Rev remix of “Trailer” provide more of an experimental focus. As “leftfield” as any recent outing, yet satisfyingly listenable throughout.
Zorn All We Can Do is Enjoy the Ride
With a page taken straight out of Detroit’s Octave One and Planet E’s books and tempered with a healthy dash of opiate visions, Berlin’s Zorn conjures up a beautiful, melancholic futurescape. Rather than showcasing a diversity of styles, the album feels like one long, continuous track-a very tasteful, well-conceived track that never gets boring or stale. Because of this, it‘s hard to pick out highlights, but both the ultra-obtuse “Gone” and the moody “City of Industry” struck a chord somewhere very deep inside me. Pick this up if you’re a fan of ambient/dubby techno or Vangelis.
Watchers Dunes Phase
Watchers had better get ready for a barrage of Talking Heads comparisons…not that that‘s necessarily a bad thing. Besides the obvious (singer Michael Makeout sounds much like David Byrne), they share with the Heads a love of all things groove, and a complete disregard for genrefication. Be it via latin percussion, post-punk screech or dub-by-way-of-the-Bronx basslines, Watchers’ second outing achieves its intended result: It’ll make you dance.
Chali 2Na The Fishmarket
When you‘re one of four MCs in a group and people think the true stars are the two DJs, it‘s easy to get lost in the shuffle. But Jurassic 5‘s Chali 2na ain‘t havin‘ that-and that‘s good because he‘s far too dope to get lost in the sauce. First off: This is not an official album per se, but a mixtape of Chali‘s guest appearances with a couple new joints. That‘s all good, though, because Chali‘s plentiful vocal talents and underappreciated versatility get their proper shine. If he‘s trying to whet people‘s appetites for a proper 2na full-length, mission accomplished; this CD will have you fishing for Chali‘s funk.
Various Artists At Home In A Fragile State
Fragile State-both the collaboration and the headspace-is the former project of Zero 7‘s Neil Cowley and producer/journalist Ben Mynott. Now Mynott goes solo with a home-listening compilation of largely unknown artists-a testament to the years Mynott spent as a music writer. His collection simultaneously mines the neo-lounge model and moves beyond it. Fragile State‘s influence wafts through the Rhodes keyboard lines of “Standstill” (from Zero 7-soundalikes Hardkandy) and the broken beat “Generations.” But other tracks catch the ear pleasurably off guard: Digitone‘s eerie, crystalline “Seraphim,” or “Sailor” by Hem, a teardrop-beautiful vocal lullaby that‘ll have you reaching for a cup of chamomile tea.
