Interpol - Interpol
Interpol - Interpol
[Matador, 2010]
The fourth album in NYC’s Interpol discography became a self-titled one. There was talk about returning to the debut, but Paul Banks dismissed it, saying that the album will have “elegant, orchestral quality” and “some really classical stuff”.
The album is of a gently kind. There’s as if more space and air than there was in the preceding Our Love To Admire (2007).
On Summer Well the music shakes off the remains of the sleep and starts to get pumping. Just in time - the following track is the album highlight, Lights. Upbeat, with a hint of the ’70s art rock, but less pretentious and with more focus on melodies. Barricades shows some raw sounds, without much noise in it, but with a forward rhythm section, after which Always Malaise (The Man I Am) the guitars give way to beautiful keyboards and everything drowns in slow and somewhat sad beauty. All Of The Ways in a while catches up the slow tempo, adding transparency to the album.
Stylistically Interpol is a step forward compared to its predecessor. The 2007 album was more “about noise”, here its about keeping you involved and in-the-mood throughout the whole album. There’s the post-punk meat to it, and at the same time your ears aren’t overloaded with noise, but pick up the narrative part of it. You follow the story of the album and the change from the beat to the slow, from the raw indie rock to the compliments towards shoegaze and dream pop, in the middle and towards the end of the album.
Read & Listen:
Interpol Myspace
Fever Ray - Mercy Street (Peter Gabriel)
The original song sends shivers down my spine. And now Peter Gabriel’s classic, “Mercy Street” is covered by Fever Ray, ready for release on Rabid Records.
Mr Scruff Sunday all-day session
This gem has been online for over a week now, but it’s still a fact that it makes a perfect soundtrack for the easy way of life. Especially nice for my working Saturday. All-day session by Mr Scruff and friends, 12 hours long, BIG CHILL indeed! Enjoy!
Part 1
Sunday Session at the Scruff Tea Tent, Big Chill, 8th Aug 2010 (Pt 1 w/DJs Pete Masters & Dr. Sid) by Mr Scruff
Part 2
Sunday Session at the Scruff Tea Tent, Big Chill, 8th Aug 2010 (Pt 2 w/Mikey DON, Mr Scruff & Kwasi) by Mr Scruff
Aroop Roy - Nomadic Soul
Aroop Roy - Nomadic Soul
[Freestyle Records, 2010]
Aroop Roy is an artist and producer living in Tokyo and (currently) in London, and traveling the world bringing jazzy and breakbeat atmosphere. Nomadic Soul is his debut album, after numerous collaborations with other artists as a producer - among these being Kyoto Jazz Massive, Bugz In The Attic, Patrick Forge, Laurent Garnier. Despite the fact that he was more dragged into work as a producer, he’s been catching up as a musician in the past years, writing material for Nomadic Soul.
it’s impossible to put Aroop Roy in a specific catalog folder. One moment it’s funky grooves, another he adds up rap (Stand Up with an American rapper Replife), then comes some Latin America (a gorgeous Too Long)… Funky The Lonely Years was recorded in a collaboration with Sacha Williamson, it sets up the mood for the whole album - upbeat and light, but confident dance. Ain’t That Sweet with female rap and soul vocals courtesy of Sara Gis and honey brass tunes is a definite dancefloor hit. Oi Do Do Le is another magnetic danceable ethnic piece on the album. And to conclude this 11-track wonder is a purely atmospheric and lightweight melodic Lilly (thanks to a British jazz vocalist Sarah Winton).
Nomadic Soul is a perfect debut and a very diverse album. Exquisite, light, diverse in style. Perfect for summer weekend parties or a buoyant workday night. Album coming out on Freestyle Records in September
Read & Listen:
Aroop Roy Myspace
Interview with Aroop Roy
Calyx & Teebee - FABRICLIVE Promo Mini Mix
Abrasive, hard and deep 30-minute mix from Calyx & Teebee for Fabriclive - on the occasion of Playaz Carnival Special. Downloadable.
The Transatlantics - Couldn’t Be Him
The Transatlantic: funk and American soul, two in one. Sweet girl’s vocals to a calm and smooth melodies. SUMMER!
Fredator - Bad Jazz
Fredator - Bad Jazz
[Suomen Musiikki, 2010]
Fredator is five Finnish guys in suits and neckties, playing jazz. Eight tracks lasting for 3/4 of an hour make Bad Jazz album. The name is quite untrue, as this jazz is really exquisite and good. Music rooted in the ’50s and sounding ever as fresh and fun today. Jussi Fredriksson is the main hero and the composer in Fredator, and he is to blame for transforming dull reality in a colorful weekend and celebration of life.
The very essence of music is its dynamics, and it’s never as visible as with jazz. The cohesion of instruments, the ability to listen to what others are playing ad at the same time create a masterful improv of your own is what makes it momentary and beautiful. Bad Jazz is deep and light, transparent and solid at the same time. Melting saxophone, steady advance of drums, agile and fluid keyboards… And all these come together in a wonderful harmony - which is hard not to dance to, at least in your head. This is the music that creates an atmosphere of rest and joy around it.
Read & Listen:
Fredator MySpace
Listen in Eric Tchaikovsky’s Night Light Radioshow
Goldmund - pre Famous Places
August 24 will see the release of Goldmund’s new album, Famous Places. In anticipation, pieces of this cosy world.
Goldmund - Bowen by Fluid Radio
Goldmund | Famous Places from Keith Kenniff on Vimeo.
