Record reviews: Te’Amir, KOKOKO!, Azul Loose Ties, Two Tribes, Laroye
I thought I’ll post shorter versions of the record reviews from each issue of Fictional Frequencies Newsletter on the blog. That way you all can read about them and then do your own research.
Last year saw the release of both „Abyssinia“ and „Abyssinia Rise“, two wonderful lo-fi beat jazz EPs by Los Angeles-based drummer Te’Amir. Los Angeles always had a rich tradition of fusing traditional African practices with jazz. Groups like The Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra led by Horace Tapscott come to mind and Te’Amir continues with this beautiful legacy.
Both records had an unusual, hard to describe vibe sounding ancient and contemporary at the same time. Beat driven, rootsy, soulful. Now, Te'Amir ties both of them together into one body of work which is also released on vinyl for the very first time.
KOKOKO! — Liboso
The African continent is still one of the strongest sources of music in today's club music scene, be it old or new, analog or electronic. The Congolese band Kokoko! is another prime example. „Liboso“ is their first EP for British independent record label Transgressive and full of rowdy electronics, intense rhythms, and body contorting lo-fi sounds that will definitely kick ass on every proper dance floor.
Azul Loose Ties — Soul Tape One
Azul Loose Ties just released a new album. He calls it „Soul Tape One“ and indeed, it is a cassette tape album, distributed by himself via Bandcamp and, you guessed it, it sold out already.
Ruthlessly reduced chord progressions immediately start to calm your mind creating a soothing serenity while at the same time stirring up reality all around you. It’s as if you’re in the eye of a storm. Listen to this on your earphones and I guarantee you will be immediately taken away into another world.
V/A — Two Tribes (Agogo Music)
More jazz-influences, more African heritage, another intercontinental journey in rhythm. Two Tribes, Agogo’s latest release gives insight into how musicians living in Europe today incorporate and transfer musical traditions into their own oeuvre.
This stunning selection of tracks is a prime example for the openness of European music culture and a slap in the faces for any Brexiteers. Like their producers, the twelve tracks gathered on this compilation are versatile multi-beings. (Poly)Rhythmic monsters made for conquering dance floors by means of being different.
Laroye — EP (Visions Recordings)
The latest missive on Alex Attias’ Visions Inc. label brings us all of this courtesy of Thomas Arroyo aka Laroye who delivers two truly deep and spiritual house tracks. Rich chords and vaderized vocoder voices. Astral string ensembles emitting rays of light, making you feel sun-kissed when listening.
You just read shorter versions of the record reviews from the first issue of Fictional Frequencies Newsletter.
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