here is recoreview pt 40...
. Moodymann: Mahogany Brown 2x12" (Peacefrog)
Kenny Dixon Jr delivers bigtime with this new album of
soulful detroit house music in the typical KDJ style. His
masterful mix of samples, soundbites, tempo & style
changes are employed to the fullest throughout the nine
tracks on this album so much so that every track sounds
like a KDJ classic. It's too difficult to pick favorite
tracks because all are great but it's safe to say that if
you've liked previous Moodymann and/or Theo Parrish
releases then this record essential. 10/10
. Further Adventures in Technosoul comp 2x12" (Ferox)
This comp is a sampler of what Russ Gabriel's renown
techno-jazz label, Ferox, has been up to recently. It
features eight tracks of funky melodic techno-jazz and
tech-house from some of the best producers in the genre
including Carl Craig, Aubrey, 4th Wave, Stasis, Max
Brennan, Mark Broom and Russ Gabriel to name a few
(the cd has additional tracks from Dan Curtin/Mike Filly,
Fusion, and Ian O'Brien - i think). Favorites on this one
are the Gabriel remix of Craig's At Les (it doesn't beat
the original but it does do something refreshingly original
to it), the Bjorn Torske cut, the Aubrey track, and the
Curtin/Filly track (but this one was unfortunately left
off the vinyl version). This a great comp for those
who like the lighter/jazzier side of techno but it falls
short of besting the first Ferox comp. 8/10
. Detroit Escalator Co: Nebulae/Plumb cdr (unreleased ep)
Neil Ollivera has been pretty quite since his outstanding
1996 Detroit Escalator Co album on Ferox. But thankfully
Neil is working hard on new material and he gave me this
sampler to review and entertain the Inaudible audiences
with - and entertain it certainly does. This ep features two
tracks of deep detroit droney ambience with a delightful
backdrop of muted polyrhythms like the kind that richie
hawtin has become so good at. Both tracks are exceptional
pieces of detroit electronica that bode well for future DEC
releases. Fans of early Psyche/BFC, Musik-era Plastikman,
John Beltran, and previous DEC releases will dig these
tracks if they ever get a full release. 9/10
. Live Human: Improvisessions 12" (Fatcat)
Four tracks of smooth melodic hip hop created with real live
instruments (for a change) produced the by US trio known as
Live Human. This record plays like it was recorded in one
take because it has that live improvisational feel. All four
tracks are nice listening experiences because you would
never think that hip hop could be make with a contra bassist,
a live drummer and a dj. But the live instrumentation does
have a number of drawbacks mainly the depth of the tracks.
The instruments, with the exception of the turntable, can
produce a limited number sounds and soon after you start
listening to each track the novelty of the live instruments
wears off. The live instruments can't even come close to
producing the noises that even the most primitive synths
and drum machines do. So after a few listens this record
becomes "live musicians trying to do hip hop." Again, an
interesting listen but nothing more than a novelty. 5/10
. Herbert: Never Give Up 12" (Phonography)
Deep house maestro Herbert with his third record on the
UK Phonography label. The a1 is a funky tech-houser
with female vocals. The b1 is complex building idmish
track that sounds like something he'd do under his wish-
mountain guise. The final track is light funky electro-
tinged melodic houser that is in the classic herbert style.
I don't care for the a1 track but the other two are grade-a
herbert. 7/10
. Jerome: Artmosphere 12" (100% Pure)
Jerome Clementz aka Jerome with another release on the
excellent 100% Pure label. This one features three tracks
of excellent lowlands/detroit-styled techno. Both the tracks
on the a-side are atmospheric tracks with lush synths, light
percussion and soaring melodies. The b-side features a
long building remix by fellow 100% Pure artist 2000 & One.
The mix features long ambient builds into a pounding
bassy d-flavored track. Fans of the sterac, carl craig, kenny
larkin or even b12 would like this one. Another gem for
100% Pure. 9/10
. Plod: O'boy cd (Plod Recordings)
This ep, the third of the limited Plod releases, is a real
gem of an IDM release. Featuring five tracks that all
walk the fine lines of jazz, electronica, funk, and hip
hop much in the same way that early Autechre or Boards
of Canada do. Favorites on this one include Markkinal,
and Eucalyptus, which both sound like Incunbula-era
Autechre. This is yet another great release by Plod.
But the real amazing thing is that they're still unsigned.
Interested labels should take note and contact them at
frankie@gargamel.com while you still can. 8/10
btw: nice job with the IDM-R. a welcome addition for
those who dont want all the blathering on the IDM list.
hope all is well with you!
-->-Lance---
p.o. box 450715
westlake, ohio 44145
united states