Artist: Gypsy Hill
Title:
Producing
Label:
Batov Records
Released:
9th November 2018
A
collaboration between DJ Kobayashi and Herbert Newbert, in Gypsy Hill
they bring together the balls and the brass from the Balkans,
surf-rock Mediterranean guitar lines, Arabic & Jewish melodies,
massive bass-lines and a whole heap of electronics, scratching and
beats. Having previously worked on
re-mixes they decided to invite artists to the studio to collaborate
for this album.
The
release commences alongside Kobi Israelite on ‘Special Brew’
which drifts between the aforementioned surf-rock Mediterranean
guitar lines, Balkan brass and the snake charmer of the Arabian
bazaar. It’s exactly what you’d expect and it’s a catchy ditty
that works equally well foot tapping or hand clapping. Next on the
agenda they team up with Simo Lagnawi on ‘Gzeyel Meyel’ subtly
blending along with his style of Gnawa (Moroccan Folk).
Composer,
saxophonist and ethnomusicologist Alejandro Toldoe joins the throng
on ‘Can’t Pay The Rent’ where horns and guitars carry you along
over the tribal percussion. The next track is advertised as only
featuring Gypsy Hill on Hallouminati’s ‘Late Junkies’. Hailing
from Nottingham and fusing Punk with Balkan Beats and Greek music,
this seems almost natural to merge alongside Gypsy Hill, with some
added Bouzaki and a touch of plate smashing wouldn’t go amiss.
The
next collaboration is alongside the Swingrowers on ‘Sugar’, as
you might expect this is a swing but there’s a little extra oomph
on percussion and electronics but not as full on as electro-Swing.
Moving on they are joined by international collective the Turbans on
‘Funtashlikh’, mashing together eastern European and Middle
Eastern sounds this pacy number rolls along nicely and is made to
drag you to the dancefloor.
Koby
Israelite returns on ‘Rural Ghost’ with more guitar fused Middle
Eastern vibes before the final piece ‘Six Steps’ by D.I.N.
(Drowned in Noise) feat. Gypsy Hill which sounds like a fusion of
bluegrass and horn with a suitably drawn out vocal.
To
summarise I like Gypsy Hill’s productions and highly recommend a
live show, where they really come into their own. This album doesn’t
steer too far from their previous work and also works well as
introduction to some if not all of the collaborators.
Review
by Woodzee
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