These two excellent tracks offer a variation from the seemingly unending stream of international dancefloor characteristics merged with the regional identity of Kàln/D?sseldorf producers such as Thomas Brinkmann, Oliver Hacke, Andy Vaz or Antonelli Electr. Slightly muffled beats and warm basslines extend from the static dancefloor to the magic moments of everyday life. Superb.
Arthur Russell Pop Your Funk
Taken from the excellent The World of Arthur Russell album that also came out on Soul Jazz, this track brings together a stunning disco beat, sparse organ chords, single notes played on a cello and traffic noises recorded from outside the studio. This was done in 1981 by a man who just wanted to do “Buddhist bubble-gum music”! In other words: essential listening.
Sixtoo Chewing On Glass & Other Miracle Cures
A dark aural descent, Chewing On Glass & Other Miracle Cures explores the boundaries of instrumental hip-hop, discovering harmony in both beauty and decay. And while Sixtoo’s excursion to the fringe yields a wealth of multi-layered compositions, it’s the fresh elements that will perk listeners’ ears. Experimenting with acidic rock guitars and grimy basslines, Sixtoo reveals a new stylistic approach while retaining his signature murky sound. And although tracks like “Sidewinders” and “Boxcutter Emporium” evoke a startling sense of emotion, it is the raw power of “Storm Clouds and Silver Linings” (featuring Can’s Damo Suzuki on vocals) that foreshadows great things from this Canadian beat conductor.
Various Artists Jazzanova…Mixing
DJs are only as good as the sum of their influences, and thankfully Jazzanova has many different inspirations to add up on their latest mix. Standard neo-and nu-jazz fare from Dimlite and Jill Scott start off the disc, but Jazzanova soon spikes the sauce, oozing the electric peanut-butter soul of Sirius Mo’s “U-Again” into Carol Williams’ disco-funk crooning. The mix is languid-sometimes tracks get a full seven minutes to stretch out-but nonetheless a delightful trip through unpredictable territory, melding forms of soul from the rather classic (such as At Jazz’s predictably horny rework of Jazzanova’s “Dance The Dance”) to the modern, like the electro-house pulses of Slope’s “Mousse (Get Down Mix).”
Various Artists Blaze: Found Love
New Jersey duo Blaze has basically turned US garage on its ear, taking from disco, Latin and Afro-Caribbean rhythms and whipping up the sort of positive, spiritual house that brings praise from stalwarts like Louie Vega and the Body & Soul crew. But soulful, life-affirming four-on-the-floor certainly isn’t for everyone, and Blaze proves that with this mix, which delves (at times) frighteningly deep into the genre. A sample list of influences for these tracks-by Joi Cardwell, Peven Everett and Blaze themselves, among others-could read: The Love Boat theme song, Chaka Khan, childbirth, the Age of Aquarius, sunshine, jazz pianists, Gerald Levert and church. If most of those things aren’t your bag-or if you’re not already wildly into soulful vocal house-you’ll sooner find love somewhere else.
Busdriver Cosmic Cleavage
Busdriver hails from LA’s Good Life Cafe scene, which also produced the artistically spine-tingling but street-as-hell Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone and Micah-9. Whilst his own efforts may not stun the mind in quite the same way as those of his predecessors, there’s much that impresses here. “Pool Drowning” provides the perfect introduction to his voice-as-instrument approach, and Abstract Rude adds pedigree to the excellent “Unnecessary Thinking.” Cosmic Cleavage may consolidate rather than develop Busdriver’s influences, but it nevertheless remains a collection worth hearing.
The Realatives Lambchops
Pure dancefloor power on this throwback to the glory days of classic 4×4 UK garage. “Lambchops” sneaks in a simple beat and some chords, pauses for a vocal sample, and then drops into an energetic organ vamping that makes it nearly impossible to sit still. “Just Moove” switches it up with some Todd Edwards-esque vocal science. Classic sounds and ideas updated with a new attitude.
Target & Riko Chosen One
Focusing on abstract sublow beats and strings backing Target & Riko’s rhymes, this tune holds together as a song and delivers a positive message with an edge. The original mix stands out, adding bongos, hand claps, and extra strings to give the tune energy and forward motion.
Thes One Noonen
“B-boys are growing up/it’s time to open some thoughts,” waxes Thes One on this rolling groove that’s weaved nicely together with lovely floating vocal harmonies. The vocals lull you into somewhere comfortable while Thes One is trying to tell you to snap out of it.
