JENNIFER LOPEZ Rebirth
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Most people have a bit of a soft spot for Daft Punk. There was so much to love about their crazy robot alter egos, their refusal to appear in promo shots (see above), their irresistible electro-disco-funk, their killer videos from the likes of Spike Jonze and Michael Gondry and their full length animated sci-fi feature film Inferstella 5555. From first hit ‘Da Funk’, released on Glasgow’s very own Soma, there was something special - a Gaelic charm, a leftfield vibrancy that permeated their beats. 2001’s Discovery is one of the most accomplished dance records of all time, an adrenaline rush of good times, squelching electronica and disco grooves all filtered through a singular android outlook on modern culture.
So we waited with baited breath for Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem Christo’s next move. And unfortunately this is it. It feels like
Daft Punk-lite, a shadow of their former cybernetic selves. ‘Technologic’ is
as irritating as that Crazy Frog ringtone pish (and sonically not a million miles away either). ‘Human After All’ and ‘The Prime Time of Your Life’ are
prime examples of their lack of momentum and sparseness of new ideas, a
parody of former glories. On the plus side ‘Robot Rock’ jacks like a bitch, ‘The Brainwasher’ is a techno cousin to Black Sabbath classic ‘lron Man’ and ‘Steam Machine’ oozes a threatening, nauseous sexuality.
Perhaps because so much is expected of Daft Punk, Human After All feels like so much more of a disappointment. (Henry Northmore)
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VARIOUS Brothers on the Slide Sanctuary» 0...
While predisco rudeboys were getting their kicks from the shenanigans of James Brown land his many friends) there was an explosion happening in their own back yard. This brave and near flawless collection of underexposed rampant UK funk Jams from the same period Will bring a wave of patriotism to any self-respecting funkateer.
Things get off to a tremendous start With Cymande's superb. addictive Brothers on the Slide'. The gems pile up quick and high With Labi Siffre's 'The Vulture'. Madeline Bell's “Comin' Atcha'. the Average White Band's ‘Person to Person' and the Funkees 'Ole'. There are a couple of wildcards in here — Carol Grimes ‘Uphill Peace of Mind' is a pleasrngly awkward piece of proto-disco and Joe Cocker's ‘Woman to Woman' is a debatany odd inclusion.
Beautifully packaged. this comes With extenswe liner notes by Lloyd Bradley and Quinton Scott. including artist lfitef‘.’l€‘.'-’S and rare photos. iPaul Dalei
PREXFUSE 73 Surrounded by Silence COO.
f x.‘ n :;"er was Scott lferieri's rf‘illeij out l‘a'nage tr 'iis natii.e Atlanta and Savath Y Saxalas was the sound of that same ‘,()llfl(} Athenian engaging i.'.ith his Catalan heritage their 888 is the sound of an older. wiser than holed up in a New York lied sit, trying to work out where it all went wrong Whereas OWE was a triumph of melody and technique. its successor is a far more muscular affair; a successful attempt to express the same frustrations that gave birth to hip hop in the first place. It's more of a production Job too as Herren turns beat proVider for awkward customers such as Fl P. Aesop Rock and Beans. Less dreamy and melodic than his preVious work. this is still a robust but ultin’iately uplifting collection of hip hop. (Tim Abrahams)
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The Best of the Parlophone Years iParIophonei COO
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No one is ever gomg to claim that Parlophone was the lucky record company that captured the best of the man formerly land OCCaSIonally still) known as Mac Rebbenack. Having Signed to Parlophone in 1997 Dr John was not so much past his prime as on the hOmage cabaret circuit.
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(9' (3' :; iii (El/“ho Despite that. i‘ aimine desemet; an eight year
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.'.tiik it if; prwliat‘l', this teepl, tiitted intisit‘ian things get off to a shak‘. start but are soon in Helihanai k's track taut surkiiii; tin oi‘hri- ports and pig", iilis tunes like "Patti, Hellfire' anti "Hen lawn" Rooster ft'fllli'lti us that at his best. ‘,oti can't hold a claintiake to thegood doctor (Paul [)alel
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NOSTALGIA 77 The Garden
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The startlingly good second album from Brighton's Nostalgia N. alias bedroom producer Ben Laindin. Hie Garden picks up the bluesy atmospheres where the brilliant Songs For My firnera/ left them. Lifting the wood a notch With a little dose of African rhythms but bEiSICaH/ maintaining the rugged edge. The Garden ought to redeem Larndin to those who found his first LP a mite inscrutable and unforgiving, nhile confirming to please fans and riencorriers.
it features a ()Tflflg of higth accomplished seSSIon players, not least begUiling trumpeter Kelsey JOnes. who once beat Jamie Cullum to become Young Jazz Mu8ic‘ian of the rear, and the mar/ellous Alice
REVIEWED ON A SYSTEM SUPPLIED AND INSTALLED BY LOUD 8: CLEAR
74 THE LIST “ .1