I like the instrumentation a lot, groove focused over technical playing (he played keys on that makaya mccraven ‘where we come from’ album I enjoy). Competent bass keeps a hip hop flavor alive, ‘mollison’ is great pure dub revival that I bet is a fun jam live. Vocals really detract on 'starting today' which felt forced but work on 'too far' which reminds me of thundercat in it's melancholic mantra repetition and 'London's face' where the tempo is kicked up a bit.
Moods
Having a good time with some smart ass music
Thoughts
I love Muhammad’s drumming which gives this an incredibly quick backbeat that only a true master can provide. Add in some punchy bass and solos that carry with energy and character, has a 70s grit to it.
The writing is great too, taking pop and turning them into jazz songs (really well done, not just half-baked covers) Sudan is a great piece where I feel the band gels more and feels slightly less arranged. (Admittedly the track I said to myself ok this is a really good album). I don’t want you know more is a greater closer. Bit new Orleans brass with a floating keys line and funky get up and dance drum beat, ends with the right energy.
Allmusic got it right:
But the complete disregard for the political correctness of “Jazz” itself, in order to get the deeply funky and soulful grooves across, is what makes this set so damn special and even spiritual in its inspiration. Jazz purists lost all credibility when they slagged this one off, caught as they were in tainted, even racist views of the past that made no allowances for jazz musicians to actually follow their time-honored tradition of mining the pop music of the day to extend the breadth and reach of jazz itself. Anybody who wants to believe that George Gershwin is somehow more important than George Porter Jr. is already lost in his own cultural fascism. Muhammad, who understands this better than anyone, pulled out all the stops here and blasted out one amazingly tough, funky slab. Brilliant.
Sounds like?
Modern jazz with a strong hip hop bend
Moods
Evening warehouse jam
Thoughts
A fine example of jazz that successfully incorporates hip hop elements, typically these hybrids are reversed (eg Kendricks backing band). This has a dynamic energy to it, making good use of effects and electronics to keep things fresh. While it plays like a live album this was stitched together in post production which benefits the experience as something that’s just one big highlight. Exploratory playful, energetic, progressive: what jazz is all about.
Recommended tracks: ox tales, repetitive drumline pushes things forward with a soulful keys solo on top, King drive utilizes a James Blake pitched down vocal to extreme effectiveness on a track already utilizing off-time signatures.
Thoughts
This EP is not without flaws, and takes a few tracks to get into swing, but I find it to be a charming set of songs. The easy going and intimate productions anchored by simple guitar and percussion fits her limited range perfectly, putting some memorable lyrical adages front and center.
Sounds like?
New age / world into clubier house tracks
Moods
Obscure for the sake of being obscure
Thoughts
The 80s world pop on the first few songs is OK but things take a decidedly more interesting turn with ‘ritual of love’ where the house vibe is gradually turned up behind a vocal rambling. This transitions into Larry Heard’s burning 4 love, a fantastic house track. Things finish off OK, better than side 1 at least, but overall not anything I feel the need to revisit.
Thoughts
There’s effectively two parts to this: R&B tracks written by Curtis Knight and a handful of instrumentals written by Hendrix. I like the instrumentals but wasn’t into the vocal tracks written by Curtis. Stick with Hendrix’s main catalog.
Moods
Having a good time with people that love good music
Thoughts
This is the good stuff: tight extended funk jams, some of my favorite James Brown songs are here. A fantastic record and must hear for any funk fan.
Fun fact: Bootsy is playing bass on a few of the tracks.
What’s it sound like?
Energetic electro with vocals
Moods
2017 with a kick
Thoughts
Fan of these dudes, underrated producers who produced great mixes as LOL boys as well as for Kanye. I thought their debut was great (note: I should revisit that one) but a bit on the experimental side at times.
I like this release albeit a bit repetitive as an entire album. Production relies on vocoder and a break beat style that gives instant energy. The usage of vocoder reminds me of Justin Vernon at times and I can’t picture this aging gracefully. Still, a lot to like on this highly accessible album.
What’s it sound like?
Damon albarn’s brand of fun and funky synth pop
Thoughts
I’ll always like returning to this cartoon dream of the gorillaz but I feel the songwriting just hasn’t been on the same level it was on the earlier albums. There’s a few good tracks, snoop continues to work well as a Gorillaz guest, but not sure I’ll revisit this one much.
Thoughts
Apparently this is a set of b sides from the funkadelic era which makes this a must hear. I think it’s as good as anything from that legendary run of their core records even if it’s lacking a cohesive concept.
