Easy Star All-Stars "Thrillah" review

Artist: Easy Star All-Stars

Release:  Thrillah

Label: Easy Star Records

Release: 28th August 2012

The Easy-Star All-Stars collective caused somewhat of a buzz with their first cover album “Dub Side of the Moon” a reggae-dub take of the Pink Floyd classic. That and the re-mixed “Dubber Side of the Moon” really worked for me.  The follow up album “Radiodread” once again a reggae-dub twist  this time of Radiohead’s “OK Computer”  didn’t appeal as much although “Karma Police” is probably my favourite Easy-Star track of all I far preferred "the Bends" album. By the time they covered the Beatles “Sgt Pepper” album the novelty to me had begun to wane so how would they fare with the biggest selling album of all-time Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” I remember when they first screened the video in the UK it didn’t cause somewhat of a buzz it caused an absolute sensation! I don’t think a single kid in my school wasn’t talking about it.

I think this has been a brave step by Goldwasser, Smith and Oppenheimer die hard fans could cry sacrilege or it could be there biggest hit to date? You certainly can’t fault the production quality of the Easy Star recordings and they have drafted in some fine reggae vocalists such as Michael Rose (Black Uhuru) and Luciano but for me it doesn’t quite work with some of the bigger hits from the album especially with “Beat It!” and "You Wanna Be Starting Something" is more funky than reggae. Although “Human Nature” is very listenable and Mojo Morgan & Steel Pulse do a grand job of putting a reggae vibe to "The Girl is Mine". I guess as always you have to listen for yourself and it will appeal to some.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Sirius Music - Lotus E.P. Review

Artist: Sirius Music

Release: Lotus 

Format: 6 track E.P.

Label: Altar Records

Released: August 2012

Having hosted a Terra Nine gig I was fortunate to have a sneak preview of Mike Westcott’s new progressive project Sirius Music in a live environment. Where I was able to gauge not only my response but how fans and people new to Mike’s music re-acted.

This project is aimed at taking the Terra Nine sound to the dance floor and in my opinion that’s no surprising leap. I’ve always felt the vibe of his music was much akin to some of System 7’s material, ambient trance with lush organic strings.

The chilled vibe and viola is still very prominent in tracks like “Axitonal” although the beat is more pounding and the bassline’s more driven. While others such as “Vortex” are balanced with more haunting dark layers and from what I witnessed the crowd lapped it up.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Shawn Lee - Synthesizers In Space Review

Artist: Shawn Lee

Release: Synthesizers In Space

Format: Album

Label: ESL

Released: August 2012

There’s definitely a retro vibe going on here. A real melting pot of 70’s funk, psychedelica, vintage synths (which reminded me of Faze Action’s selection for the Abstract Funk Theory compilation), funky hip-hop breaks, and T-Rex’ish glam rock.

At times the tracks seem to use simple riffs which add to the retro sound. It also at times gives a raw amateur feel but this is quite deceptive because he layers the tracks so perfectly he could also be described as somewhat of a genius.

I have to admit this isn’t currently what I normally listen to and possibly isn’t in vogue (but you shouldn’t care about that). I’m not convinced the track listing on the promo is accurate as “Low Riders in Space” sounds far more like “Celestial Waltz” than “Celestial Waltz”. I get the feelin’ this release could well appeal to fans of the Cosmic Disco and Ninja Tune alike.

Review by Woodzee

Ojos De Brujo - Reworked Review

Artist: Ojos De Brujo

Title: Re-Worked

Label: Urban World

Release Date: July 2012

Ojos De Brujo meaning 'eye of the sorcerer or eye of the wizard certainly sees deeper than most.

Hailing from Barcelona and influenced by their flamenco roots Ojos De Brujo bring to the musical fore their foundation of sun soaked beats and fiery latin rhythms. Al Lindrum (Loveavalanche) compiles and combines an album that hilights Ojos De Brujos brilliance eclectically fused with remix cohorts from Junkyard Productions with their dub infused interpretations through to the down tempo stylings of Emprisarios..

The beauty about Marina 'Carillias' Abads emotive lyrics is that you don't have to be versed in Spanish to understand the intent behind them. A long time advocate for social change and a voice for injustice Marina's truth sings through any language barrier..

The whole album has a conglomerate of remixers who do justice to the original foundational sound of Ojos De Brujo.. From the aforementioned intro dub track to the half way through dark and murky remix from Love Avalanche. Combine this with some tidy D&B and you have an album that encompasses all genre's 

Took me a second listen to fully appreciate this one..but now i'm truly hooked 

Review by CKA John

http://soundcloud.com/urbanworldrec/sets/al-lindrum-presents-ojos-de/

Sun Is Shining presents Terra Nine photos

Thanks to Mike (Terra Nine/Sirus Music), Claire (Intelliki) for the wonderful visuals, DJ's Robin Triskele, Jamez23 and all who came to our event @ the WatershedMK. There's more in the pipeline so hopefully we may see some new faces in the future. 

The debut E.P. from Sirius Music is now available from Altar Records

Thanks to Mike (Terra Nine), Claire (Intelliki Visuals), DJ's Robin Triskele, James (Jamez23) and all who came to our event @ the WatershedMK. There's more in the pipeline so hopefully we may see some new faces in the future.

Nickodemus - Moon People Review

Artist: Nickodemus


Title: Moon People


Label: Wonderwheel Recordings


Released: June 2012

Back when I was a youth I used to have a friend where I would go and smoke herbal cigarettes and listen to music very loudly until the ‘wee small hours’ (Very liberal parents). I would then stagger, sometimes on my own, sometime with other friends, homeward bound.

The journey home would mean walking down an alley way. This always caused a great deal of trepidation (heightened no doubt by the copious amount of herb inhaled)! This anxiety was no mere figment of the imagination but one born of bitter experience. The Knowledge that sooner or later ‘Nickodemus- the Devil dog’ would jump out and scare the shit out of us!!!

Nickodemus was a stray dog that used to frequent this area of the estate with the seeming avowed mission to terrify stoned youths! Thankfully this is a far from that mangy old cur as you could wish to get. Which is a good thing really.

This Nickodemus began his career back in 1996 in NYC as a resident DJ of the legendary Giant Step & Organic Groove nights. Two years later, he started Turntables on the Hudson with partners Mariano & Nappy G on percussion.  Turntables quickly gained fame for its eclectic open- minded music & and feel-good crowd. The party is still going strong by all accounts.

As a producer, Nickodemus creates music from all parts of the World fusing Latin, Jazz, Hip-Hop and whatever else takes his fancy.  He has 3 albums entitles "Endangered Species" (2005), "Sun People" (2009) & "Moon People" (2012).

I must admit that I’ve not heard the previous two albums but have seriously caned ‘Moon People’ since receiving - it is SUPERB.

This is music of the highest order played and produced with warmth and a sheer joy that is a delight to hear. I’m not exaggerating to say that the more I hear this album the more I love it.

The choice of vocalist’s is spot on from The Real Live Show, Candela All Stars, Sammy Ayala, Kissy Asplund to the mighty Afrika Bambataa (although truth be told I have to admit that Bambataa’s track is probably the weakest of the lot...but not by much)!

These vocal tracks are interspersed with instrumentals that really hit the spot- ‘Nights of Balour’, current single ‘Alruccabah' and the truly wonderful ‘Vino People’. A track so uplifting that the NHS should offer it free on prescription. If this track does not make you want to get up and dance like a loon then frankly you are beyond redemption!

As in his previous albums Nickodemus sticks to the style that he obviously knows so well- hip hop, dance grooves and warm Latin jazz infusions. It obviously works so why change it? This is a good time album-Music to make you dance with a wide smile upon your face.

I will be checking out Nickodemus’ other two albums and I would urge you to beat a hasty path to your local purveyor of bespoke tuneage (or order on ‘tinternet) and purchase this wonderful album. Beats getting chased down an alley by a dog!!!!

Reviewed by Matthew Foord

"Moon People" comes out June 19th 2012. It features collaborations with Afrika Bambaataa, The Real Live Show, Navegante, Belleruche & many more of the cast from his previous albums. He's also working on "A Global Minute" which features MC's from 10 cities combined with video & paintings by Justin Carty. 



Nickodemus "Moon People" album promo video 2012 from Nickodemus on Vimeo.

Indidginus - Sab Kuch Milega review

Artist: Indidginus


Release: Sab Kuch Milega


Format: E.P.


Label: High Chai Recordings


Released: May 2012


It’s exactly a year since Michael Martin’s Indidginus first delved into dancehall and dub-step on his collaborative album release “Sofa Surfer”. The Sab Kuch Milega e.p. once again leaves the didgeridoo and trance firmly in the past and fuses dancehall, dub-step, drum-step and global bass.

The first track Arab Spring takes no prisoners with a hard hitting lyrical delivery which ensures this track is a dancehall floor-filler. Vajradanti is a slower low bass affair where the wonderful vocals of Nona Kalra obviously reflect Michael’s recent visit around India. The final track of the release Timewave Zero combines those electronic crescendo’s found on trance tracks in recent years with low bass twists and vocal samples which kind of reminds me of early Dynamix II.

Dub-Step often seems to be dissed by the older listeners and personally I feel that there’s quality dub-step out there. High-Chai recordings are definitely carving a niche fusion which isn’t strictly dub-step and if their sound grabs you this release slots in nicely.

Reviewed by Woodzee.