reviews:42

Moodymanc
State EP
Centric Music

Moodymanc surpasses himself with two new tracks and a variety of mixes to once again tempt your taste buds into action. The self-explanatory Glasgow relives its vigorous namesake with a heavy clash of bass notes hitting you hard while an imaginative selection of electronics sizzle away against a blast of Sax. The excellent Elef remix then replays the city with a sprinkling of melancholy keys and gorgeous, sumptuous bass which all culminate into a notably heavenly production. Title track, State progresses matters  further still as Kuntri Ranks intones wise words over a superlative combination of undulating pads and thoughtfully crafted notes. Pryor adds cool tribal flavor to his version, and the Al Calavicci Tea Bag Remix endlessly builds the sense of anticipation over choice fx. Leaving Artform’s Jamie Anderson to twist and transgress the barriers between Techno and Dub and sound completely invigorating in the process. 9

release: Vinyl 26/3. Download 16/4/12

http://www.juno.co.uk/products/state-ep/451053-01/

www.centricmusic.co.uk

 

Phonetic Presents
Miami Night & Day: Mixed by Rob Roar
Phonetic Recordings

Following on from their Ibiza inspired compilation comes this version set for Miami. In ways that doesn’t actually matter for as someone once said, good music is good music – whatever the time and place. And to give the game away Disc 1 (Poolside and Sunset) really doesn’t require you to engage your imagination to guess what going on. But better than any relaxation technique this hits that spot especially when you factor in the March sunshine here in the UK. The music is of course down-tempo, picturesque and tastefully reassuring coming from the likes of Michael E ‘Primiera Vez’ and KrayZ ‘Suite 212′. The second Disc transports the mood into Rob Roar’s natural environment with up-tempo party beats featuring the Michael Gray re-working of Sterling Void’s ‘Runaway Girl’ amongst the electro flair and ends up at Max Linen’s hedonistic anthem ‘Flashback’. 8

http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=145377

http://phoneticrecordings.com/

 

The O’Jays
We’ll Never Forget You (The Imperial Years 1963-66)
Shout Records

Chances are, like myself, you’ve always thought of the O’Jays in terms of their classic seventies output on Philadelphia International Records from I Love Music straight through to Backstabers’. However, if digging a little deeper to reveal where that music came from appeals then this surely is a crucial starting point. The compilation contains The O’Jays complete releases for Imperial Records which began in 1963, so you can expect a blend of styles both vocally and musically, touching upon the cornerstones of Rhythm and Blues and Doo-wop’s influence. As they evolved through the sixties into what became termed Soul music the arrangements begin to get a little sweeter, though the earthy production never feels less than strictly sixties i.e. Analogue and grainy. Putting all of this in context are John Reed’s fascinating sleeve notes which spell everything out in black and white as the music aptly finishes on Time Is On My Side. 8

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/