CD Reviews >21.09.04
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VARIOUS D:WAVE : "A14" (excerpts)
  • Deep In My Soul
  • Hot Day
  • Waiting Room

The mysterious D:Wave may be an elusive character but his own blend of electro music certainly isn't as elusive, cropping up in clubs as far away as Edinburgh and even being courted by the BBC. This cd brings together three very different sounding excerpts from his album "A14". "Deep In My Soul" is a fantastic dance floor track and it is no wonder how this song has managed to do so well in clubs across the country. "Hot Day" is a perfect slice of sunshine funk (although mildly reminiscent of The Sims soundtrack). Groove Armada would be warmed by the third track, the lovely chilled, ambient track "Waiting Room".  If every waiting room i've sat in, played this song, i'd be quite happy to spend the entire day there. With these teasing excerpts, i cant wait to hear the rest of the album.

 

HIGH VINYL : "6ft Fence"
  • Moth Eaten
  • Killed By A Silent Monkey
  • The Downpour
  • Twenty Pence

There's something to be said about High Vinyl and that is that all their songs feel so warm and friendly, musically, on even just the first listen you find your head moving slightly and your toes twitching. "6ft Fence" builds on the High Vinyl that appears on cd and that which appears on the stage. This cd is slickly recorded and produced and catches the band sounding at their best without being over-produced and harming the acoustic warmth that the band oozes during their live performances (and at least we can hear the bongo!). The final track on the cd reminds me strongly of a slice of Bowie narrative...an extremely fun and up-tempo track. Extra brownie points go to High Vinyl for a) naming a song "Killed By A Silent Monkey" and b) for stopping me in the street and suddenly thrusting this demo cd on me. One piece of advice i have for the band is - please dont stop making music.

 

ANDREW MARTIN: "Amnesty/Wreckage" (single)
  • Amnesty/Wreckage
  • Gotta Get Over You
  • While You Were Sleeping (MJY Radio Edit)

"Amnesty/Wreckage" is the second single to be lifted from his long awaited/delayed album "Urban Soul Survivor" and this single is quite a soulful track but laced with an anger but also a pride of self achievement and overcoming. Lyrics provided by poet Alan Pedder (for the title track) fit perfectly amongst Andrew's other work and he manages to blend vocal desperation, electro drums and synth with ease. "Gotta Get Over You" is a much more pop aimed track but incredibly grumpy - if this song is about someone then they certainly left their mark! The third track is the Radio Edit of his previous single, courtesy of Matt Youens, who gives the track a faster pace.

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