CD Releases: March 2003 updated:10/12/2003
BUD, CURT & KRIST Bud, Curt & Krist CD
(Spinart Records / Modular Imprint)
File Under: Rock
MODIM003CD
Also known as Eyes Adrift in other parts of the world, down under they’re known as Bud, Curt & Krist. They are Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets) on guitar and vocals, Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) on bass and vocals and Bud Gaugh (Sublime) on drums. They play rock ’n’ roll. That’s really all you need to know. A listen to their self-titled debut album on SpinART Records should illuminate everything else you need to learn about this band. Yes, as you probably are well aware, Bud, Curt & Krist is not the first band for all three of its members. If you don’t know that, look it up on the Internet or in some book. Now that we’ve gotten that chaff out of the way, let’s get to the point of the matter – the album. Listen to it. Hmmm. Notice how it’s neither post anything nor neo something or other? Yes, the music has subtle echoes and whiffs emanating from rock ’n’ roll’s expansive past, both from the music’s proverbial marquees as well as its odd and delightful corners and outer reaches. Yet it also sounds fresh, distinctive and different – sort of like the future. Like all great rock’n’roll bands, Bud, Curt & Krist boasts a comfortably familiar sound that is nonetheless new. Or in other words, they sound like Bud, Curt & Krist.THE SEA & CAKE One Bedroom CD
(Thrill Jockey / Spunk)
File Under:
URA072
Taking a step toward perky pop tunes, Chicago's the Sea and Cake deliver their most charmingly elegant and fully realised effort to date. Over the course of six albums since 1993, Chicago-based quartet the Sea and Cake have developed and refined their stylish post-rock sound - a tight, jazz-inspired reworking of rock song structures and time signatures. While their 2000 album, Oui, was noticeably leaner and less improvisational than previous recordings, on One Bedroom the band takes another step toward shorter, downright perky pop tunes. One Bedroom sounds refreshingly new for a band's sixth record, yet it is not without moments of familiarity. The record feels like a stroll down the finest moments of the band's career, though it is still another step forward into the evolving 'sound' one has come to associate with the band. The cuffing guitar notes simply woven together, the melodic, propulsive and rhythmic drumming, the swirling sound of synthesisers and the distinct vocals that float in and out fluctuating between lazy delivery and full on falsetto-drawing you in on the records first track. Only to have you completely hooked by it's second.
LISA MILLER Car Tape CD
(Raoul Records)
WIFECD001
An irresistible, smoky, four-in-the-morning voice .... a blissful experience" 4 1/2 stars The Australian
"One of the most divine voices ever heard in Australia." 4 stars Sunday Telegraph
There's a shortlist that deserves to be written of unsung, yet truly great, Australian songwriters. Over the past decade, Lisa Miller has consistently earned her place on that shortlist that is always, funnily enough, a genuinely short list - the seriously-talented, yet preposterously-unfamous. Miller is known for her song writing as much as for her blue-eyed, broken-hearted voice. Her body of work has great depth and integrity which fully vindicates the decision she made seven years ago; to put a decade of fronting inner-city country and rockabilly bands behind her, and go out on her own as an independent solo artist who has resolutely followed her own creative road. Miller has chosen to make an album that is free from anyone's expectations of what she might or should do, or who she might be as an artist. What started out as diversion in the course of recording demos of new original material evolved into what Miller describes as "a glorious sidetrack". Listening to a tape of that session in the car on the way home, Miller decided on the course of her new album. Two non-original songs recorded that day became the template for the new album by Lisa Miller. Car Tape is a wonderful collection of some very carefully collected songs as interpreted by a true songwriter.
BLACK DICE Beaches & Canyons CD
(Fat Cat)
File Under:
FATCD24
Recorded at the Rare Book Room in Willliamsburg, New York, by Nicolas Vernhes Beaches & Canyons challenges re-determined notions of how a band should behave. Blurring the lines between avant-rock, psychedelia, ambient electronica, tropicalia, dub and industrial / noise music, Black Dice are unique in their style and execution. Everything comes together in a fractured synchronicity. Though undeniably intense and chaotic, Black Dice's music also manages to sound organic, symphonic and orchestrated. Major players in the furtive Brooklyn scene, the band originally met as students at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1997. But Black Dice's music emerges from a very primal place. Originally a chaotic, abrasive mix of thrash and jarring / angular noise experimentation, early live shows seldom lasted more than 15 minutes and were characterised by violent performances with injuries often sustained by band and audience members alike. In the summer of 1998 the band relocated to NYC, where the current line-up was stabilised. On Beaches And Canyons melody and repetition have become key elements, introducing a more gentle, tuneful quality to their music than previously heard. Their visual identity is also a major component of the bands overall aesthetic. All of Black Dice's releases to date (including a 7"/book featuring 40 pages of collaged artwork) have been self-designed, and they recently spent over 100 hours creating a film backdrop for a Brooklyn Lyceum show. This singular approach, and their apparent disinterest in playing by anyone else's rules make Black Dice a striking presence - a genuinely exciting modern band exploring structure and form with a very physical, informed punk rock attitude.
FUTURISM 2 Various 2CD
(City Rockers)
File Under: Electroclash / Dance Music
CITYROCK5CD
Futurism – back once again with the renegade masters! City Rockers released the first volume of Futurism at the beginning of 2002. It touched a nerve. Laying down the manifesto for the scene and the sound that was grabbing headlines, the reaction to the compilation was electric. Now it’s time for Futurism 2 and another blast of sparkling freshness – tracks that have rocked the "Bodyrockers" night all year alongside a wealth of very exciting future shit that you need to hear right now! Compiled by City Rockers main man Damian Lazarus, this is a shot in the arm for lovers of exciting music world wide. The second episode has arrived and it’s light years ahead of the rest of the pack. Futurism 2 spreads the musical net even further. We’re talking tracks from Berlin, New York, Rotterdam, Helsinki, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, London, Montreal, Philadelphia, Leeds, Glasgow and Barnet, amongst others, in the mix and shouting for attention. Futurism 2 brings together some delights from the City Rockers stable (as it should). Fresh warning shots from Riot Society, Matti Oiling, Kid & Khan and the awesome Xlover (Trash Me is one of the best produced demos ever), plus known battle weapons from the likes of Felix Da Housecat (the Adult remix of Silver Screen), Coloursound (the cracking Midnight Mike remix of summer anthem Fly With Me), and Daniel Diamond’s quirky Champu. There are so many special moments on Futurism 2 it’s hard to know where to start. There are the revival tunes from CDock’s Electro Pop (a poignant lost classic on Defender from ‘98) and the 1993 rave anthem Pilgrimage To Paradise from Sourmash (sounding like Vitalic). There are the exclusive future delights from Freaks (The Creeps is taken from their current album) and Kotai’s slamming Sucker DJ. There are the guaranteed dance floor heavy hitters from the likes of Kiki, Freeform Five and Martini Bros., not forgetting those alternative delights from Static, And The Lefthanded, and Switzerland’s Seelenluft. It’s a cracking line-up however you look at it. Plug in, switch on and think ahead!
KITSUNE: LOVE VARIOUS CD
(Kitsune Records)
File Under: House / Love
KITSUNECDA1
Described as "a heart-melting collection of debonair disco and modern romantic pop" (evidently by someone a bit wet) Kitsune Love is eleven tracks of original, previously unpublished music from a clutch of true innovators. To be fair, the quote is pretty spot on. Ah shoot, what's wrong with being wet once in a while anyway? Grab ya nearest and dearest and snuggle up to such tracks by Alan Braxe & Fred Falke, Fantastic Plastic Machine, DJ Gregory, Playgroup, Gonzales and more. Check Romuald's closing cut for sheer loved-out excellence.
AEREOGRAMME Sleep & Release CD
(Chemikal Underground / Spunk)
File Under: Rock
URA088
"We release our records on two of the coolest labels (Chemikal Underground and Matador) on the planet. Europe think we fucking rock. Stephen Malkmus thinks we fucking rock. John Peel thinks we fucking rock. Ergo, we fucking rock!" Campbell McNeil
Aereogramme release their second full length Sleep and Release, a album that will surprise those new to the band and will delight and confound those who are familiar with the band’s previous work. …Glasgow, late nineties… Craig B., fresh from the ashes of Ganger, called upon long time friend Campbell McNeil to work on some ideas. In need of a drummer they found satisfaction in one-time jazz percussionist Martin Scott. Not chin strokers mind, but all proud to be beard wearers. Add fourth man Iain Cook, a shadowy figure operating within the confines of the film and TV soundtrack world, had always been there but this was unknown to all but a few. Aereogramme walked straight off a plane into CaVa studios to work on this record. The imprint of dark films and the clinical beauty of ‘shoot-em ups’ loomed large. The resultant effect, on record, is that there is natural flow: a deeply cinematic structure - tracks move forward like scenes in a film. Sleep and Release is also a highly charged and political record - the band are serious in their intent. "Each great civilisation in the history of humanity has been judged by its artistic output as well as its progress scientifically and politically – great art defines progress. Put simply a society that advocates the perpetual regurgitation of culture is a society in its death throes. This terrifies me when connected with current world events and there has got to be something more to creating great music than how well you can ape your dads record collection." Campbell. Aereogramme should be celebrated for their breadth of vision. They have made a truly great record - one that covers the whole emotional spectrum.
BROKEBACK Looks At The Bird CD
(Thrill Jockey / Spunk)
File Under: Rock
URA082
"Looks at the Bird should nestle comfortably into your record collection between those Air and Coltraine records" Recommended Release MOJO
The third full-lengther from Dougles McCombs other band (he also plays in Tortoise) Looks At The Bird is yet another great release from Chicago's Thrill Jockey records (Trans Am, The Sea and Cake, Tortoise). Sounding like a calmer Tortoise, Brokeback features the plaintive voice of Stereolabs Mary Hansen, tragically killed earlier this year. Hansen's voice is what lifts this album for me, rising out of the abstractions to bring some much needed humanity. The focus of Brokebacks sound is bass with McCombs playing the distinctive Fender six string that has lent so much film soundtrack charm to Tortoise. Long time Brokeback collaborator Noel Kupersmith plucks and bows away on double bass while production is in the hands of John McEntire. A nice, if somewhat sleepy, example of why Chicago has once again become home to some of the most progressive music being made today.
LOOSE FUR Loose Fur CD
(Drag City / Spunk)
URA080
"Summit of underground masters creates a high class side project" 3/5 MOJO
"Sounds a bit like a stripped-down version of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." Rolling Stone
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, highly respected songwriter/mixer/producer Jim O'Rourke, and freshly-minted Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche were clearly up to something in the late hours of the band's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sessions, and Loose Fur is a document of the trio's time together. Working off of skeletal arrangements and Tweedy's affinity for found-sound squawks, bleats and radio clatter. The majority of the lyrics and vocals (shared by Tweedy and O'Rourke) are dispensed with early on so that the three musicians can get down to some good old-fashioned jamming. Tweedy is the dominant factor here; his scratchy bridges and feedback-drenched solos shoulder the heaviest musical load, and such noise works best on lyrically abstract tracks like Laminated Cat and the brightly painted Chinese Apple.. Unsurprisingly, the best moment comes on Liquidation Totale, wherein the trio dispenses with lyrics altogether and concentrates on where its collective noodling might lead. Whether it was meant as a one-off lark or the rough foundation for a future excursion, Loose Fur is a curious glimpse into the art and evolution of sonic creations.
KATALYST Manipulating Agent CD
(Invada Records)
File Under: hip hop
INVCD010
Manipulating Agent is the first release for the newly formed Invada Records. The label is a working collaboration between Geoff Barrow (Portishead), engineer Fraser Stuart and Ashley Anderson (Katalyst). The album is sophisticated, well-crafted, and an excellent example of truly creative sample-based music. The tracks on this album are the product of a keen ear and a love of good music. Written and produced by Katalyst with the additional production and engineering touches of Geoff Barrow and Fraser Stuart, the sound is unique - of a truly international flavour. Layered deep in the mix, you'll also find the live playing of guitarist Adrian Utley (Portishead) , the Rhodes keyboard of Paul Johannessen (Upshot) , and the world-class scratching of DJ Leeroy Brown , tearing it up on the turntables. A diverse album, Manipulating Agent moves seamlessly through a mixture of laid-back beats, up-tempo dance floor funk and brooding grooves - reminiscent of DJ Shadow or Massive Attack. For proof of the diverse sounds the listener needs only to check out the skull-snapping breaks of Showtime , the hazy guitar driven journey of Time Bomb, the soulful organic sounds of Race Against Time , and the straight up hip hop style of Special Delivery featuring MC Gift of Gab of Blackalicious fame.
NRK SINGLES COLLECTION 5 Various 2CD/3X12"
(nrk Sound Division)
File Under: Dance
NRKCD012/VNRKLP012
"You end up with a package no serious house lover will want to miss" 4/5 iDJ
Singles 5 gathers the most momentous tracks from the last 18 months and presents them on an unmixed CD and limited edition triple album set, showcasing NRK’s attention to artist development, and a keen ear for a killer track. A bonus mix CD is included on the CD format mixed by man of the moment, Chris Lum. Chris found time to throw down a killer mix of NRK titles, in between his studio commitments and slew of forthcoming releases on Hooj, Tango, Siesta and Defected. This bonus CD is exactly that; the price of this compilation is set at a regular single CD price! All the NRK artists are represented here; Ian Pooley, Miguel Migs, Jamie Anderson, Audio Soul Project, Joey Negro, Francois K, Joeski, Rocket and many more…
LO FIDELITY ALLSTARS Abstract Funk Theory CD/2X12"
(Obsessive)
File Under: Abstract Funk
EVSCD36/VEVSLP36
"The Lo Fi’s are always an enjoyable DJ proposition and this collection begins and ends brilliantly like all good DJ sets should. 6/10 Jockey Slut
Disproving the rule that nice guys finish last, Brighton based elector-disco-soulsters Lo Fidelity Allstars remain one of the most successful British dance bands in the US, selling hundreds of thousands and albums and winning fans from Bootsy Collins to Macy Gray and shock radio jock Howard Stern. And judging by the taste displayed on Abstract Funk Theory?s 10th compilation it’s easy to see why, since the band have chosen a fantastic range of diverse tracks that segue together even better in one great mix. Kicking off with indie heroes Mercury Rev’s hauntingly dark balled Holes, the trio follow with Bill Withers’ equally touching classic Grandma’s Hands which itself gives way to the Lo Fi’s own track Zip Just Gone. From there, the album picks up tempo dramatically, with New Flesh’s ragga based stormer Mack Facts sign-posting a hip hop groove that’s further developed by El Captain Funkaho’s funkadelic style anthem Bootay. Kid Acne keeps up rap appearances towards the album’s second stage, switching towards the classic rock & roll of Jimmy Castor Bunch the psychedelic musing of the Charlatans. Eclectic and stunning Up With People by Lambchop, interesting and superbly selected, Lo Fidelity’s compilation is one of the best of the ten Abstract Funk Theory CDs yet released, which is no mean feat given that the likes of Colin Dale, Carl Craig and Ross Allen have previously fronted the series.
GREENSKEEPERS The Ziggy Franklin Radio Show CD/2x12"
(Classic Music Company)
File Under: Dance / house / Greenskeepers
CMCCD107/VCMCLP107
Classic kick off the New Year with the eagerly anticipated debut album from Chicago's hillbilly maestros: Greens Keepers. Greens Keepers are a Chicago-based collective, centered on the core duo of James Curd and Nick Maurer. Long term skate, bowling and golf buddies, their musical influences stemmed from Curd spinning at early loft parties and raves, alongside Chi-town stalwarts like Mark Farina, DJ Heather and Derrick Carter. Whilst James became resident at the city's Tunnel club at the tender age of 19, Nick took the more classical route via piano and vocal tutoring and as a consequence is a talented multi-instrumentalist. Jim and Nick's love of ragtime, swing and jazz lead to their unique fusing of these traditional dance music genres with modern day Chicago house, creating their trademark Greens Keepers sound. The boys are one of few artists pioneering this movement – alongside Mike Dixon, Stacey Kidd and Derrick L. Carter himself, swing-house is set to be one of the sounds of 2003. Their debut album plays like a radio show, hosted by the fictitious Ziggy Franklen, played by Frank Zieger, an actor friend of Jim's. The tracks on the CD version of the album are linked by commercial snippets, stock market updates, hilarious phone-in requests and other mini-items strung together by the host, making for a completely unique home listening experience. The Ziggy Franklen Radio Show completely broadens the Greens Keepers sound, taking in the trademark Swing-House stylings and adding Funk, Electro, Downbeat and House into the mix. The album features collaborations with band buddies Joshua (Iz & Diz), Mike Dixon, At Jazz and Lance De Sardi (2nd Shift), whose track Mesopotamia will be a future single featuring a remix from Mark Farina. Its not often one comes across such a musically adventurous and thoroughly enjoyable album. Highly recommended!
BRYAN ZENTZ Seven Breaths CD
(Intec)
File Under: Techno /Dance
INTECCD02
Few artists have done more for electronic music in the last few years than Bryan Zentz and with Seven Breaths he has reached the pinnacle of his creativity. Bryan seems to have been destined to buck the trend. While the scene in the US is based around Detroit, Chicago and New York, Bryan hails from Norfolk, Virginia and has built his entire sound and style all on his own, without the peer group many artists use to share knowledge and opinions. Rather than being part of any techno clique Bryan prefers to be seen as part of Virginia’s fast growing musical heritage, with bands such as Avail and Candysnatchers and artists like The Neptunes, Missy Elliot and Kenna. Bryan’s father is a musician, which gave him early exposure to several musical forms. His broad tastes encompassed Skinny Puppy (his heroes of electronica), Cabaret Voltaire, Depeche Mode, Mad Professor and Eric B & Rakim. His first experiments in electronica were on simple equipment making mainly hip hop and industrial/ electro grooves. Seven Breaths is the sound of Bryan Zentz at his best. This album demands to be heard from start to finish as it tells a real story that encompasses dub, jazz, hip hop, techno, industrial and house. A true musician who rarely uses large samples, there are many emotional moments to be heard on this album. It includes a special appearance by fellow Virginian and old friend Chad Hugo from The Neptunes, performing sax on Troublesome Dub and the utterly anthemic D-Clash a hark back to another time with today’s production values. Other than that, as ever, let Bryan’s music speak for itself.
RETURN OF THE FUNK PHENOMENA Various CD/2x12"
(Obsessive)
File Under: Dance / Funk
EVSCD41/VEVSLP41
Funk, the foundation stone for all good Black music today, R&B to House, Hip Hop to Breakbeat… and Return Of The Funk Phenomena is drenched in funk. Compiled by Pete Adarkwah, owner of one of the greatest labels around – Barely Breaking Even. Picking a selection of less obvious funk cuts by the stalwarts who contributed to the rich tapestry of yesteryear. Its designed to be a stepping stone into the vast and varied world of funk, proving there’s more to the genre than wah wah’s and Afro hairdos, its about a groove with attitude and style. With tracks from The Futures, Bob James, Earth Wind & Fire, Roy Ayers, Patti Austin, MFSB and The Jacksons. Recommended.
END 50 Various 2CD/2x12"
(End Recordings)
File Under: The End / Dance
ENDCD004/VENDLP004
Compilation Of The Month in Muzik, DJ, Idj, and Jockey Slut
End Recordings has reached its 50th single release, and to celebrate they’ve spread twenty of the tracks that have helped put the label on the map over two CD’s. Opening with a classic Layo & Bushwacka! cut Deep South END050 charges along with standout tracks from MR C, Derrick Carter (as Tone Theory) Juan Atkins, Circulation, The Producers, Echomen, Killer Loop, Charles Webster, DJ Sneak..... Also includes the Original mix of Layo & Bushwacka!’s massive hit Love Story. Most of the tracks are long deleted - but all of them are faves at clubs and dance floors around the world. The 2CD set is unmixed at the request of CD DJ’s whilst for fans of vinyl there is a strictly ltd 6 track-3x12" set (cut LOUD) of the label’s biggest dancefloor moments.
ANOTHER COUNTRY Various CD/2x12"
(Agenda)
File Under: Alt Country / Post Rock
AGN007CD/VGN007LP
Another Country is an introduction to ‘alt-country & Americana’ for the uninitiated, bringing together for the first time, some of the genre’s leading lights. All these songs have been cherry-picked from across a continent’s-worth of rare & hard to find output from rock’s fertile margins. Everybody here is from the USA or Canada, though the songs – from Jim O’Rourke’s wry paean to fatalism to Wilco’s skewed protest song and Hawksley Workman’s mischievous love ballad - are about life, death and everything in between. Call it what you will, this is a lovely album of sepia-tinted lyricism, and beguiling candour perfect for those lazy Sunday mornings. Good crossover potential with
in music releases are available at all good record stores nation-wide