Gentleman's Dub Club - FOURtyFOUR - Album Review

Leeds has one of the most exquisite venues for dub-music in the form of The West-Indian Centre in Chapeltown, and it has nurtured one of the most joyous proponents of the genre in the Gentleman's Dub Club. Sound staples start immediately on FOURtyFOUR; the half-time pulse, the w-w-wumping bass, and the shimmering keys. The album finds balance in tracks alternating the mood; from dirtier efforts like Riot, and more tender reggae songs, like London Sunshine.
    The ultra-slick presentation of these songs in a recorded format seems against the vibrancy of this band. This is further highlighted by the inclusion of two live recordings at the end of the album. I can understand that people would want to take GDC music home, but these songs seem born to be heard live.

[2013.10.19] for NARC Magazine.

Blood Orange - Cupid Deluxe - Album Review

Upon a second listen through, it clicked that there is an underlying bravery to Blood Orange's (Devonte Hynes) Cupid Deluxe that is quite exceptional: a fearlessness in the writing, to allow each track time to breathe, and a comfortability to put himself aside of the centre too. This third LP features many guest musicians diversifying the sound whilst nurturing the records central themes surrounding love. Skepta supports Hyne's heritage in High Street, whilst Chosen sports a French accented monologue, and Clipped On is made in the spirit of New York. You're Not Good Enough is a heartbreaking classic. The dense content over the fifty-odd minutes asks for consumption like a Christmas dinner does, but it is worth unbuttoning your trousers for. This creativity must not be denied or underestimated. A fantastic record.

[2013.10.19] for NARC Magazine.

Lulu James / Lionhall - Live at The O2 Academy, Newcastle

It feels an eternity since I saw Lulu James open for Ghostpoet at the Cluny, singing along to backing-tracks with carefully organised swaying. Tonight, our Queen of South Shields headlines an anticipated show and we are all keen to see how her ship is fairing these days. 

Support is well-chosen in the compliment of Lionhall, a duo mixing synth and guitar loops to articulate songs of youthful melancholia. Such well-crafted songs deserved a larger turn-out.

Show time! A pre-recorded monologue of James speaking presents an alternative persona before she arises out of the fog to join her band, hidden in a mask of gold chains. This choice of anonymity complimented the opening dark march, removing individualism and focussing all of the faith in the room. It was then a peculiar juxtaposition to hear her typically sassy remarks in between such weighty tracks with the mask remaining.

Ultimately it was this blend of the intimate mixed with the universal riding tightly throughout the set that created such amazing moments of hope; from the crowd singing back the lyrics for the tender Be Safe, to uniting everyones dance moves for Step By Step.

Towards the close, Lulu conducts an allegiance pledge to which the attendees promise 'to love / and support / Lulu James (bitches!)'

It turns out James' ship is actually a spaceship, to which we are all welcomed on board. Based on tonight's performance, our Captain's possibilities are truly endless.  

[2013.08.09] for NARC Magazine.

Darren Hayman - Bugbears - Album Review

Bugbears is Hayman's excellent follow up to 2012's The Violence. It continues his investigation into fear through interpreting 17th Century folk songs; performed with long-term collaborators, for this record collectively described as 'The Short Parliament.' Through the stories selected for this album,  Hayman takes us from less hopeful scenarios like that of a woman 'Seven Months Married' to songs with philosophical arguments for the oppressed, such as 'The Contented.' Amongst the chaptering instrumentals, he even includes a march celebrating the overshadowed parliamentarian Thomas Fairfax. Hayman has adapted these songs loosely for a modern pop record; making the melodies more diverse than he discovered them and abbreviating the number of verses in the ballads. The hearts of the songs have been treasured in their time-travelling.

[2013.07.15] for NARC Magazine.

Daniel Bachman / Phil Tyler / Chuck Johnson - Live at The Northumberland Arms, Newcastle

As part of a tour around Europe before returning to his home in San Francisco, Chuck Johnson starts proceedings with his solemn Last Moments At Chittor. In amongst the revolving arpeggiated chords of his instrumentals sing mysteries to match the stories in his face. With whispers of audience conversations glistening the set, the Northumberland Arms is transformed into a Mid-West bar, with souls listening a while before moving on.

The evening's curator Phil Tyler follows with his banjo melodies; first with a new composition, then a medieval carol, both showcasing tunes from his latest record, released... today! Warm applause welcomes Cath Tyler to join him on stage and together they joke and duet, starting with an adaptation of 'You Are My Sunshine.'  

Daniel Bachman, like a freak-wave rolls into his set, rumbling the strings of his guitar with aggressive, muscular strength. At first I thought he was fighting for the conversationalists in the pub unaware his performance had begun, but soon I realised he was rebelling against a much higher power. With dexterity and roar juxtaposed, his weather devastated the hearts in the bar. At the apex, he turns briefly to a Hawaiian-style guitar, and he gifts us a softer song called Sarah; a carefully constructed highlight of the night. 

[2013.06.17] for NARC Magazine.

Pea Sea / Silver Fox / Wilt Wagner - Live at The Cluny 2, Newcastle

Up on the hill, the Cumberland is alive with unapologetic derivatives Holy Moly & The Crackers and celebrations of a long Summer eve. As I trip down the steps from the party, I wonder: who will be persuaded inside the Cluny 2 on a night like this?

When Wilt Wagner (Michael J. Patterson) takes to the stage, a handful of people are there to watch. He nonchalantly intersperses drinking beer from a can whilst meandering naive keyboard melodies over gentle beats. The instrumentals are complimented with live vocal noises and the use of taped sounds.

At the changeover, Silver Fox huddle around an archaic keyboard, trying to resuscitate it. Problems are sorted, and the cheeky grins return to the faces of this quartet as they treat us to a healthy amount of newer material, whose soul is still firmly primitive and honest. 

Chris Rollen's band Pea Sea casually assemble on stage instilling anticipatory silence across the room. A vintage-style microphone colours our singer's voice in a subversive opener before he ditches it and follows up with his latest single, 'Inconceivable.'  Tim Greaves broadens the sound with clarinet throughout. The set moves between his variety of rock 'n' roll and quieter songs, such as Charlemagne. At the close, an encore is mightily demanded to which our band appease. 

[2013.05.19] for NARC Magazine.

Serengeti - Kenny Dennis LP - Album Review

"It's a metaphor for life.You gotta get up and do something!" A message from the 50 year old protagonist in the first track of Serengti's sequel to the Kenny Dennis EP. It certainly supports a remit for the Anticon record label from which he has been a member of since 2009. Serengeti's contributions to this family give a warmth and lighter humour than you might find in other residents' outputs. These songs lovingly describe the anecdotes and philosophies of our fictional moustached subject Kenny Dennis, using simple repeated phrases in amongst fuller raps, performed in character. Occasional tracks are straight, instrumentally-supported monologues. The fluffy crackly beats are provided by label staples, Jel and Odd Nosdam. Each re-listen feels like a return to a favourite photo album.

[2013.05.19] for NARC Magazine.