Click on the links to hear the music!
Makoto - Primitive EP
Makoto - Primitive EP
https://soundcloud.com/apollo-records/sets/makoto-primitive
Once responsible for mellow, jazzy and uplifting drum 'n' bass anthems on Good Looking Records throughout the late '90s and early '00s, Makoto's oeuvre continues to evolve with this rather gorgeous ambi-jazz 'n' techno five-tracker for the recently-revived Apollo imprint, part of the R&S empire. Similar to Ken Ishii minus the E numbers, the Japanese composer has crafted a really sumptuous sound here, not least the Herbie Hancock-esque 'Sapphire Eyes' and pulsating Vangelis-like 'Planet', all great reminders of some of Apollo's legacy. Remember this was the label that spearheaded 'ambient' with that first Aphex Twin album, as well as heady works by Subsurfing, Tournesol, Uzect Plausch, Drum Island (who turned into Royksopp) and others. Really splendid music. ★★★★½
Once responsible for mellow, jazzy and uplifting drum 'n' bass anthems on Good Looking Records throughout the late '90s and early '00s, Makoto's oeuvre continues to evolve with this rather gorgeous ambi-jazz 'n' techno five-tracker for the recently-revived Apollo imprint, part of the R&S empire. Similar to Ken Ishii minus the E numbers, the Japanese composer has crafted a really sumptuous sound here, not least the Herbie Hancock-esque 'Sapphire Eyes' and pulsating Vangelis-like 'Planet', all great reminders of some of Apollo's legacy. Remember this was the label that spearheaded 'ambient' with that first Aphex Twin album, as well as heady works by Subsurfing, Tournesol, Uzect Plausch, Drum Island (who turned into Royksopp) and others. Really splendid music. ★★★★½
Rustie - Trouble On My Mind ft Tyler
https://soundcloud.com/rustie/trouble
Hailed as something of a saviour for Warp Records not too long ago, space-grime and electronica wizard Rustie appears to be setting himself up as a hip-hop collaborator by installing the gritty mouth of Tyler (not the creator) on this unreleased track. Originally recorded for a Pusha EP project, you get a massive party-slammer with a tight troubled rap that features the immortal line "..let's hit a couple-a bars and pick up bitches wit' willies...". Destined to be caned on Soundcloud it seems, the synth-funk bassline lacing the chorus is worth the admission alone. ★★★½
Hailed as something of a saviour for Warp Records not too long ago, space-grime and electronica wizard Rustie appears to be setting himself up as a hip-hop collaborator by installing the gritty mouth of Tyler (not the creator) on this unreleased track. Originally recorded for a Pusha EP project, you get a massive party-slammer with a tight troubled rap that features the immortal line "..let's hit a couple-a bars and pick up bitches wit' willies...". Destined to be caned on Soundcloud it seems, the synth-funk bassline lacing the chorus is worth the admission alone. ★★★½
Valerie June - Pushin' Against a Stone
https://soundcloud.com/sundaybest/valerie-june-against-a-stone-single
Echoey spacey slow-tempo retro-soul with fuzz-guitar and funereal bluesy organ stabs makes for a rather intimidating prospect in lesser hands. However, with the spirit of Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse and Minnie Riperton coursing through her veins, the highly-acclaimed Valerie June steers the song through calmer waters. Recorded at Dan Auerbach's studio (it certainly sounds as voodooed as his work with Dr John last year), June's debut-album, from where this has been extracted, fits the bill perfectly for the likes of Jools Holland who had her on his show recently and monthly magazines searching for the next soul prospect. They may have found her in June. ★★★½
Sons Of Kemet - The Itis (Micachu Remix)
https://soundcloud.com/naimedge/sons-of-kemet-the-itis-micachu-remix
If you played six Sun Ra albums consecutively at different speeds while travelling on a bumpy skateboard, you might end up with something like this. Sons of Kemet are fast becoming the darlings of the Brit-jazz scene and there's good reason - they've just copped a MOBO award for the jazz category. And from what I've heard they thoroughly deserve it. Whether enlisting Micachu to rip this track a new blowhole is up for debate but it's compelling enough to warrant another few plays, if only to marvel at the sheer 'bonkersness' of it all. ★★★½
Ebony Bones - I See I Say (Flechette Remix)
https://soundcloud.com/flechettemusic/ebony-bones-i-see-i-say
Cripes - this kicks off sounding like some whacked out John Carpenter movie soundtrack. Escape on 23rd Precinct The Return Of The Headless Ganglords or something, before Flechette's insistent remix does its trap-bass thing and jackhammers enough booming drops to frighten your neighbour out of the street, let alone his or her house. There's not a great deal of Bones on here to be honest and for this kind of esoteric, atmospheric mood track, one could argue that's a good thing. However, after a few minutes of little else going on, 'I See I Say' does cry out for a bit of vocal, besides the looped title and the brief chorus line. Still a nifty piece of work though. ★★★
Mankind vs Dos Amigoz - Time Waits For No Man ft Diane Charlemagne
https://soundcloud.com/dos-amigoz/dr-who-time-waits-for-no-man/s-q90lZ
The best thing about this track, aside from the actual Dr Who melody, is Diane Charlemagne's powerful tonsils which successfully carry the tune forward amidst the pitched up ping-pong synths and Friday-night beats. Released to tie in with the issue of a long-lost album by Mankind, a '70s disco-wave outfit who had a hit with dance-floor version of the timelord's iconic theme, plus the 50th anniversary of TV's most resilient drama series, there is an element of cash-in about 'Time Waits For No Man'. To be fair though, despite there not being enough of the theme itself, there's no doubting its dance-credentials and Dos Amigoz have probably approached the project with considerably more respect than some acts I could mention. Not a patch on Orbital's wonderful remake a decade or so ago - come on BBC, wake up! ★★½
M83 - You and the Night (soundtrack edit)
https://soundcloud.com/muterecords/sets/m83-you-and-the-night
With tongues firmly in cheek, apt for a sex comedy perhaps, M83 have switched off the guitars to deliver a theme that recalls Manuel and his Music of the Mountains, Mike Oldfield, the Emmanuelle series and an advert for Ricola throat-sweets. Dreamy flutes, backing vocals not unlike those found on Oldfield's 'Ommadawn' and evocative strings - with a combination such as this, you'd be forgiven for assuming that the French shoegazers had lost the plot completely. And they have. This is the theme for a French sex comedy that stars Eric Cantona as 'The Stallion'. Nope, me neither. ★★
Echoey spacey slow-tempo retro-soul with fuzz-guitar and funereal bluesy organ stabs makes for a rather intimidating prospect in lesser hands. However, with the spirit of Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse and Minnie Riperton coursing through her veins, the highly-acclaimed Valerie June steers the song through calmer waters. Recorded at Dan Auerbach's studio (it certainly sounds as voodooed as his work with Dr John last year), June's debut-album, from where this has been extracted, fits the bill perfectly for the likes of Jools Holland who had her on his show recently and monthly magazines searching for the next soul prospect. They may have found her in June. ★★★½
Sons Of Kemet - The Itis (Micachu Remix)
https://soundcloud.com/naimedge/sons-of-kemet-the-itis-micachu-remix
If you played six Sun Ra albums consecutively at different speeds while travelling on a bumpy skateboard, you might end up with something like this. Sons of Kemet are fast becoming the darlings of the Brit-jazz scene and there's good reason - they've just copped a MOBO award for the jazz category. And from what I've heard they thoroughly deserve it. Whether enlisting Micachu to rip this track a new blowhole is up for debate but it's compelling enough to warrant another few plays, if only to marvel at the sheer 'bonkersness' of it all. ★★★½
Ebony Bones - I See I Say (Flechette Remix)
https://soundcloud.com/flechettemusic/ebony-bones-i-see-i-say
Cripes - this kicks off sounding like some whacked out John Carpenter movie soundtrack. Escape on 23rd Precinct The Return Of The Headless Ganglords or something, before Flechette's insistent remix does its trap-bass thing and jackhammers enough booming drops to frighten your neighbour out of the street, let alone his or her house. There's not a great deal of Bones on here to be honest and for this kind of esoteric, atmospheric mood track, one could argue that's a good thing. However, after a few minutes of little else going on, 'I See I Say' does cry out for a bit of vocal, besides the looped title and the brief chorus line. Still a nifty piece of work though. ★★★
Mankind vs Dos Amigoz - Time Waits For No Man ft Diane Charlemagne
https://soundcloud.com/dos-amigoz/dr-who-time-waits-for-no-man/s-q90lZ
The best thing about this track, aside from the actual Dr Who melody, is Diane Charlemagne's powerful tonsils which successfully carry the tune forward amidst the pitched up ping-pong synths and Friday-night beats. Released to tie in with the issue of a long-lost album by Mankind, a '70s disco-wave outfit who had a hit with dance-floor version of the timelord's iconic theme, plus the 50th anniversary of TV's most resilient drama series, there is an element of cash-in about 'Time Waits For No Man'. To be fair though, despite there not being enough of the theme itself, there's no doubting its dance-credentials and Dos Amigoz have probably approached the project with considerably more respect than some acts I could mention. Not a patch on Orbital's wonderful remake a decade or so ago - come on BBC, wake up! ★★½
M83 - You and the Night (soundtrack edit)
https://soundcloud.com/muterecords/sets/m83-you-and-the-night
With tongues firmly in cheek, apt for a sex comedy perhaps, M83 have switched off the guitars to deliver a theme that recalls Manuel and his Music of the Mountains, Mike Oldfield, the Emmanuelle series and an advert for Ricola throat-sweets. Dreamy flutes, backing vocals not unlike those found on Oldfield's 'Ommadawn' and evocative strings - with a combination such as this, you'd be forgiven for assuming that the French shoegazers had lost the plot completely. And they have. This is the theme for a French sex comedy that stars Eric Cantona as 'The Stallion'. Nope, me neither. ★★