“Dialing Out” champions the Jamaican-sample lifting rub-a-dub style of late, interjecting uplifting horn echoes that roll into bass-heavy movements, topped off with sporadic dial button samples. Check the versatility of “Godpad” on the flip, a techy mechanical funk rocks via tough-edged beats. More quality from a label that can’t be pigeonholed.
Drama Society Crying Hero
This Italian duo brings a moody array of taunting synths embedded in the mix, an epic hook marches fierce out in front that’s sure to make even the snobbiest audience hum.
Eric Sneo Brainhammer EP
Chris Liebing’s imprint continues to install more relentless mayhem, this time with the debut of fellow German, Eric Sneo. This clanky metallic vinyl powerhouse emits a quick rush to the melody, while steadily invasive percussive hits creep from the rear. In the mix or alone, consider this release a useful addition.
Various Artists Gilles Peterson: In Brazil
Swiss precision runs hot as Gilles Peterson trumpets old and nu-skool Brazilian music. The first disc, Cl·ssico, hits seminal ’70s with “Black Rio” funk fixture Wilson Simonal, Golden Boys yummily twanging-up Baden Powell and Vinicius De Moraes, and Mario Castro Neves and Samba SA samba-ing our asses. Djavan’s lusciously ubiquitous summer anthem “Serrado” bubbles and Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’77 still do it in ’04. Disc two, Da Hora, heads lovingly DL with non-Brazilians alike, like UK breakbeat mistress Patricia Marx and 4Hero, and London’s Spiritual South. Delectable slo-mode remixing of Milton Nascimiento percolates, and Brazilian nu-jazzer Bruno E. (Marx’s hubby) ekes out da juice. Floor-filling!
Howie B, Crispin Hunt & Will O’Donovan Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise…that cool, refreshing drink. The white-folks staple gets mildly grooved-on courtesy of Scottish ?berproducer Howie B and his best mates. Former Longpigs frontman/current political reformist Crispin Hunt and Will O’Donovan (think Irish Howie B) juggle slightly distracted vocals over smooth and creamy beatz. The echoes of the dead and nearly so (John Lennon, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, Daniel Lanois, Sting) careen over a proggish base of shifting melodies and “harmonizing guys” effects. Like its namesake, the flavoring is subtle, so no big beats or blowsy vox posturing here. A little mellow for my taste, but it’s good to cleanse the palate occasionally.
Macromantics Hyperbolic Logic
John Kerry’s people should hire Romy Hoffman as a speechwriter. With airtight lyricism, brooding, musty-basement beats and a directness that’d make apples and earthworms wither, the Australian MC known as Macromantics cuts to the inside; she fiercely asserts “The world isn’t color or black and white/it’s bloodshed,” before dropping the beat to declare her mission: “Macromantics believes in peace and the kids.” Like spiritual homeboys Aesop Rock and The Streets, she also directs her lyrics inward, questioning her psychic balance-but when she spits delicious consonant clusters like, “Yep/dead retro/mind’s on death row/hang onto the cable for dear life/don’t let go!” you think her cadence alone might be enough to save her.
Chico & Coolwadda Parallel
Chico’s drawl dips it low like Snoop Dogg’s, but even with an arsenal of glossy-beat gangsta cruisers and a healthy South Los Angeles resume-including a 2001 hit with Nate Dogg-C&C don’t ride too much like those other cats from the 213 on their second record. Their jagged cadences span topics from club bluster to beleaguered ghetto life, but the beats are all hotwired synths and polished, high-steppin’ sway, occasionally coming off like a collabo between Dr. Dre and Sticky. Fun game: Every time they spit their signature onomatopoeia, “pssssh,” jack up the hooptie.
Docnuke.Com Petroleum Peep Show
Avid fans of melody, modern song structure and harmony should put this record down and walk…no, fuck that, run away. This is not for you. This is modern day revolution music inciting at the very least the feeling of imminent anarchy. Politicians be warned-this is something for you to be quite scared of.
Climber Downtown Loop
From Miami to Japan, Climber extends a hand to help those minds needing a reminder of the past. Though the norm has become quite different these days, Climber delivers a hip-hop record that isn’t sheer nostalgia, but a reflection of how and where we live. Hip-hop is our (lively)hood.
Boom & Birds Camino De Manos Chuecas
Heading up Boom & Birds, multi-instrumentalist Roberto Lange also puts in time in as one-half of post rock-experimentalists (and Counterflow expatriates) ROM. This Boom & Birds album perfectly and precisely blends audio ambience, Kraut rock excursions, hints of polyrhythmic synthetics and improvised instrumentals. Subdued, yet emotive, this is reminiscent of our imaginations.
