Artist: Gypsy Hill
Album:
Our Routes
Label:
Batov Records
Released:
Sept 11th
Now
although I'm aware of their label mates Balkan Beat Box and despite a
number of releases under their belt, I've not come across Gypsy Hill
before but from the intro a fusion of loud-hailer samples, Balkan/Hip-Hop Breaks and low frequency bass caught my attention
immediately. So strictly speaking it's not Dub or Chill but I feel
with it's global fusion stance it's still an apt album to review on
here.
Although
the album has an overall Gypsy/Klezmer approach it takes a journey
along various avenues 'Balaka'
for example switches seamlessly between flutes, guitar and horn
maintaining that Balkan sound while the horn section of 'Jimmie Jam'
has more of a old New Orleans Jazz edge and 'Pachupa' transports you
from the Balkans to the Mexican desert with the feel of a Spaghetti
western soundtrack not unlike Calexico for those of you who remember
them.
I've
often felt the Balkan sound works well with Ska giving that knees up
feel. But Gypsy Hill prove it can work with a variety of fusions
along a variety of tempos, with the dj throwing in a scratch in
suitable places and twitching low bass accompanying a few of the
tracks. I have to say it works for me and I'd imagine they would be
great fun to see live. Anyone in the Dalston area of London on
September the 11th
can catch the album launch free at the Passing Clouds.
Review
by Woodzee.
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