Tournesol-MOONFUNK
R&S Records
RS 95074
Double Vinyl Version
TRACKLISTING:
'inside angel'
'chords of rhythm'
'jungle movie'
'sunny blow'
'interplanetary zonecheck'
'break n space'
'electrowaltz'
'scapeland'
'volt-age'
'mapping your mind'
'baljerne'
'2095'
'clockworking clockwork clock'
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Some of you may remember this danish duo from the eponymous debut
TOURNESOL on R&S a couple years back, or KOKOTSU last year on Apollo, but
for others, this might be an introduction. For starters, they're in way
like FSOL in that their style isn't really considered "hush hush"
ambient, but more of epic pans, sweeps, filters, samples, etc. This
style is dominant in both KOKOTSU and with MOONFUNK. I hate comparing
groups to others, but the only way we know what to buy is by reviews,
right? Ok.
First off, Tournesol have changed up the game plan a bit by sprinkling
some variety in this LP, i'm speaking of rap vocals, and jazzy trance &
jungle rhythms. 'interplanetary zonecheck' and 'volt-age' have a rapper
"panasonique" spatting off about electronic music, and where it can take
you, blah, blah, blah...The rap is o.k., but when a vibe is set, why have
some out spout off a couple of cliched lines? It ruins it for me, and
definitely didn't work with B. Hannant's SCULPTURED album. Although,
'interplanetary zonecheck' was kinda vibey in an acid jazz sort of way.
Sort of. 'volt-age' would have been much better if Tournesol would have
kept the same musical background arrangement during the second part of
the rap(listen to it, you'll see what I mean...).
Enough of that, though. 'inside angel', 'jungle movie', and 'baljerne'
fill the room with the "soundscapes" we've come to know as a FSOL style,
ambient jungle noises, panning, sweeps, etc. However overused, it still
works as segues for mixtapes for the experimental dj's, and for those who
are CD lazy, and want to light up a spliff/blunt, and chill like the dude
on the AI cover. '2095' sounds like it came right out of a futuristic
soundtrack, Blade Runner style! Good job, and ideal to listen to under a
dimmed light(as I just recently found out). 'sunny blow' has a reggae
undertone, then shifts back to KOKOTSU-type ambience.
Everyone should know by know of the 'break n space' track, which I
reviewed from the REFRESH YOUR EARS tape back a few months ago. Cool
jazzy sounds, works REAL well in the club, and sounds more like a Model
500 track for some reason. Techno Jazz, anyone? 'electrowaltz' is a
personal favorite, with its ISDN-isms, and ear hugging bassline.
'mapping your mind' reminds one of the tracks from DREAMFISH, swirly
liquid electronics, water splashes, that sort of thing. The tracks I
didn't like were 'chords of rhythm'--boring. It's too, TOO, basic.
'clockworking clockwork clock', well I didn't write anything down about
it, so it must've been the pits, too!
9/10
Derek Jordan