Itís a raucous romp with the entire cast of Wu-Tang, nine MCs deep at a San Bernadino, CA, concert. As hip hop comes of age, its time to reminisce at a live revival with Ghostface, GZA, Inspectah Deck Masta Killa, Method Man, ODB, Raekwon, RZA and U-God, Staten Island style. Gritty nostalgia looms on classics ìCriminology,‘ ìIce Cream‘ and ìMethod Man,‘ proof that as a unit Wu-Tang can still wild out with the best of ëem, expletives and all.
Various Artists DJ-Kicks: Daddy G
Daddy G. crystallized Massive Attack’s departure into unexplored beat technology. The longtime DJ’s smoothed-out sound is a primer for Massive Attack fans’ rare collection essentials. It’s a gritty journey, launching with Willie William’s classic reggae joint “Armageddon Time,” and then moving into Melaaz’s eerie French croons on “Non Non Non.” Tricky’s unreleased “Aftermath” and Massive Attack’s “Karma Koma” are sexy surprises. Massive Attack and Mos Def pop delicious on “I Against I,” easing into Danny Krivit’s remix of Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady.” Packed with funkdafied Massive Attack remixes, abstract beatseekers will be appeased by Daddy G’s dreamlike sequencing.
Adriana Evans Nomadic
Mmm. An album that speaks like a loved one’s warm embrace–here’s a timeless collection from a seasoned vocalist and her savvy producer Dred Scott. Evans channels jazz on “Morning Light, rock on the cover “What It Is” and pure soul music on her ode to song, “I Hear Music.” Hints of Afro-Cuban rhythms are at ease with a chorus of synthesizers matching her perfect pitch. Longtime collaborators Evans and Scott make songs that are delicious to stumble upon.
Various Artists De-programming Sequence
Liberation Systems wants to evoke the illbient movement of the early ’90s with their De-programming Sequence. And you know what? Drifting through the soot-covered streets with a mind full of Deleuze and Sun Ra can still be titillating. This NYC-centric comp wisely avoids the awkward pacing and digital detritus that often cursed illbient, instead focusing on its liquid mixology and 20-watt lit jazz. Highlights: Shakeyface’s hypnotic tabla-hop and tear-jerked electro-funk, Guillermo E. Brown’s drum machine touring the projects. Lowlight: DJ Spooky’s bush league future-jazz. Black light: Kentyah Meets Jodan’s sample of two ladies discussing Carl Jung’s vision of nuclear holocaust.
Various Artists Em:T 0004
What’s this? Ambient synth excursions that lack DSP fingerprints and give listeners actual breathing space? How refreshing…well, almost. This compilation could soundtrack planetarium shows, dream-journal writing, crystal therapy sessions or colonics for that matter. Most of the artists try to pay the bills with New Age schmaltz, but there are exceptions. Red Leb’s “Freezebee” deftly makes the long drones of so many ’80s slasher flicks bearable with floating, new wave beats. Beatsystem’s epic “Sud” is ended by a brilliant coda of crowd chatter at a French park blended with ocean waves. Just don’t play this CD when you go to sleep; comas aren’t pleasant.
Various Artists Shockout, Vol. 1
Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” almost sounds like a feel-good song that the U.S. Army could use to recruit the Trustafarian demographic. It’s a far cry from this comp’s toasters, who bark like guerrilla commanders ordering a palace siege. In the past year, Kid606’s raggacore/fuckstep/mutant dancehall label released several 12-inchers now collected here. His noisenik compatriots like Com.A, DJ/Rupture and The Bug are paired with several toasters, but mostly the mighty Wayne Lonesome. Their DSP intensifies the spats and brawling rhythms. Elsewhere, Soundmurderer & SK-1 drain the clichÈ from the Amen break. Even though this bludgeoning can induce numbness in one sitting, Shockout is still a solid primer.
Bill Laswell Version 2 Version-A Dub Transmission
Bassist/producer Bill Laswell’s fifth installment of Roir Dub Sessions continues his habit of interchangeable but penetratingly devious dub. The fact that this sounds like a lot of previous works doesn’t quell its beauty; few beyond Lee Perry and King Tubby have evolved the genre, but Laswell does here with trademarked ease. The deep puncture of “Dystopia” and casual swing on “Night City” keep Babylon a volume control’s flick away. Joined by world class musicians (Jah Wobble, Karsh Kale, Bernie Worrell, Abdou Mbdoup), this transmission has been received, implemented and accepted.
Little Axe Champagne & Grits
Skip McDonald paid his dues long ago. The Sugarhill Gang guitarist helped define hip-hop on classics like “The Message” and “Rapper’s Delight.” A decade back he headed to the blues, linking with On-U producer extraordinaire Adrian Sherwood to explore the dub side of soul. His fourth such project, Champagne & Grits, is the least Jamaicanized, most song-based record yet. Guests Junior Delgado and Ghetto Priest add a bit of island life to McDonald’s emotive guitar, but when Massive Attack vocalist Shara Nelson begs you to “Say My Name,” you’ll truly know what longing is all about.
Etiop Sub+
All you techno Teutonophiles, don’t forget Germany’s eastern neighbors in your search for minimalist oomph. On his debut EP for Janek Sienkiewicz’s Recognition label, Etiop parts a different kind of iron curtain, this one made of slinky metal beads, and the resultant rippling is sublime. “Structure” is a classic in the making, the missing link between Swayzak and Wighnomy Bros.
The Vegetable Orchestra Remix Trilogy Vol One
The Vienna Vegetable Orchestra is the funkiest farmers’ market in the world, turning tubers into techno and legumes into laidback grooves. (Eat that, Matmos!) Gabriel Ananda slices up the raw ingredients into a minimalist salad of beat slivers and crisp accents, the kind of thing Herbert would find nutritious. On the flip, Mârtini Bràs pumpkin up the jam, complete with jacked samples of Soul II Soul.
