Published on
September 3, 2021
Category
Features
Cameroonian garage funk, UK rap, Jamaican reggae, Japanese electronica, and more.
This week’s rundown is by VF’s Gabriela Helfet and Lazlo Rugoff, alongside Emily Hill, and James Hammond.
Albums
Little Simz
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
(Age101 Records)
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert proclaims Little Simz on her latest album. It’s clear from the first listen that interiority has seen her soar to deliver the most exciting album of her career. Same goes for enigmatic SAULT producer Inflo for that matter, with whom she collaborated on the album, and about whom she aptly shares: “our chemistry is just unmatched.” Lyrically, Simz’ third album sees her flow at its tightest, delivered as syrupy slow or whip-sharp as her mood pleases. Musically, Simz explores traverses such a kaleidoscope of sounds with a such a deft touch it’s hard to remember all the ground she travels across its 19-tracks. For starters, you’ll find everything from zesty ’80s boogie – ‘Protect My Energy’ to low-slung blues riffs – ‘Point And Kill’ to Afrofunk synthesizer bops – ‘Fear No Man’ to golden ’90s hip-hop-esque soul samples – ‘Two Worlds Apart’. In short, sometimes you may be an introvert, when revelling in the sounds that Simz has created, of course. – GH
Various Artists
Cameroon Garage Funk
(Analog Africa)
The musicians of ’70s Yaoundé — Cameroon’s capital — had a problem: the city lacked recording studios, and most were unable to afford using the national broadcasting company. As such, many turned to alternative spaces, with church engineer Monsieur Awono organising recording sessions in a chapel. While artists merely had an hour or two to record, and only access to a single microphone, the results — captured on Cameroon Garage Funk — are far from amatuer. Collecting sixteen tracks from these unorthodox sessions, Cameroon Garage Funk shines a welcome light on a little known scene — as any wondrous reissue should. – LR
Sonny Clark
My Conception
(Blue Note)
Looking at Sonny Clarke’s list of contributions for Blue Note releases throughout the 1950s, you can see how he came to be considered the go to, hard-bop pianist for the legendary label during a defining era. Of his original compositions as bandleader, many will rightfully point to the likes of Cool Struttin as a first port of call, yet My Conception, which was shelved after recording in 1959, presents a curious and undervalued statement within Clark’s back catalogue. Rectifying the discrepancies of its initial shelving and limited vinyl releases in the years since, this Tone Poet edition shines a light on the elegant compositions that make up My Conception, and the brilliant interplay between all involved. Hank Mobley fans will also find much to delight in here, as the long-time chemistry between Mobley’s tenor sax and Clarke’s piano is on full display. – JH
MLD
1983 – 1986
(Camisole Records)
MLD aka Minimal Lethal Dose was the brainchild of Japanese musical prodigy Takayuki Shiraishi, and alongside Jun Sonohara they manifested a fierce force to be reckoned with. This compilation compiles their work on the project between 1983 and 1986, taken from the original tapes and lovingly restored by post-dub-punk and LIES aficionado Krikor Kouchian. Jumping between spatial cuts such as ‘Invisible Beats’ which holds a looming uncertainty, to thrashing synth kick heavy ‘Perpetual Motion’, it’s a deep dive into the fantastic realms of Japanese experimental music. – EH
Powell
Piano Music 1-7
(Editions Mego)
Oscar Powell utilises the piano’s synthetic form and a “no hands” approach as he ventures further away from the dancefloor and deeper into the realms of stochastic computer music. Playing back visual scores and musical formations with a Grand Steinway sampler and corresponding software synths, notes tangle with a peculiar mechanical precision at their core. Moving between consonance and dissonance and the degrees of familiarity and expectation we have with an instrument such as the piano, there’s plenty for curious ears to enjoy within this unusual set. – JH
Jackie Mitoo
The Keyboard King At Studio One
(Soul Jazz)
Soul Jazz’s stunning homage to Studio One manager, The Skatalities founding member, and keyboard legend Jackie Mitoo sees a welcome reissue for Love Record Store Day. As ever with Mitoo, delve into his oeuvre and you’ll discover a deep sense of funk that resonates through his music. The Keyboard King At Studio One is no exception, presenting a fitting sonic tribute to his depth and range – well beyond the reggae and dub genres he may have been formally known for. Featuring his solo recordings from the ’60s and ’70s, the 2xLP is worth it alone for ‘Wall Street’ – like drinking up a hazy, warm summer’s afternoon in Kingston. Happily though, you’ll find 14 further tracks to get lost in here too, such as the head-bopping, organ-wailing grooves of ‘Get Up And Get It’ and the shoop-ing, lovers rock-hued dip of ‘Totally Together’. – GH
Luc Ferrari
Labyrinthe de Violence
(Alga Marghen)
Musique concrète pioneer Luc Ferrari’s soundtrack to a 1975 A/V multimedia performance at the Galiéra Museum in Paris gets its first full vinyl release this week. Aiming to “liberate music from the constraints of style and esthetics”, Ferrari most notably succeeds in ‘Violence’ — its murky drone ambiance spilling out like gas, filling whatever room its played in. ‘Pollution’, meanwhile, takes a more controlled approach, creating a twisting labyrinth of noise through spliced radio and news segments. Given how invested Ferrari was in exploring and critiquing contemporary society, Labyrinthe de Violence is ultimately a testament to the power of metabolising one’s world through sound. – LR
Singles
Dijit
Tapes & Krikor Remixes
(diy)
Cairo’s musician Hashem L Kelesh, aka Dijit, is the subject of two reworks on this lovely diy label 7”, appropriately named Tapes & Krikor Remixes. First up, is you guessed it – Tapes aka Jackson Bailey. His rendition brings a kind of breezy, lo-fi, synthesizer zip through it, like licking a sonic lollipop on a bright, fresh day. Meanwhile, Krikor’s version on the flip takes proceedings into entirely different terrain. Less lollipops, more slamming your head in front of a massive, dripping and oscillating speaker stack; throughout, the track’s Dopplereffekt rings echo in-and-out of growling vocal clips. The result is exactly the kind of trippy, bass-heavy track you’d want to hear on a packed and sweaty club floor while you get your 3am peak time sweat on. Yes yes. – GH
Various Artists
Demi Monde 1/2
(A Walking Contradiction)
Switzerland is on a speed-y drive to release some exceptional techno talents, most notably in the city of Basel, and its latest compilation offering ‘Demi Monde ½’ on ‘A Walking Contradiction’ is no exception to the rule. Featuring one third of the Somatic Rituals collective, Kombé whose forward thinking ever-so-slightly-percussive chugger ‘We Are Insufficient’ at times borders on the ethereal elements of dub-techno. ‘Aa Sud’ and ‘Varuna’ are both growers in their depth, ‘Out Beyond The Settlements’ keeps you firmly on your toes whilst the whirling electronics of ‘Sudds’ beams you into the beyond with growing pace and furious techno velocity. – EH
Aboutface
°s
(AD93)
On his latest record °s, Aboutface – aka Ben Kelly – takes inspirations from the patterns in urban nature, as well as the ups and downs of the Coronavirus pandemic. Weaving together field recordings with flute, ambient, violin, and synths, Kely imbues °s with a pastoral sturdiness that summons visions of the rolling splendour of the British countryside. – LR
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