90
Albums
Of The Year
Whether it was the sensual, hip hop inspired Afro–beat of Zap Mama, the spiritual, jazzy
house music of Theo Parish and Rotating Assembly, or the eclectic, sampledelic musings of
RJD2, 2004 was rich with quality releases from various musical genres. Lee Hodkinson takes
you through a selection that didn’t get the attention (or sales) that they deserved.
ZAP MAMA:
ANCESTRY
IN
PROGRESS
LUAKA BOP/V2
A winning blend of Afro-funk,
beats and soul by the pound;
Zaire born, Philly by-way-ofBelgium resident Marie Daulne
(Zap Mama) has worked with DJ
Krush, Common and Talib Kweli
amongst others. Maturity and
confidence shine on her fifth
album. Her rich voice fits between
a smoother Macy Gray and Erykah
Badu, who appears on the haunting
Bandy Bandy. The album blends
evocative English and French vocals,
African rhythms, hip hop and d&b
beats seamlessly. Her playful charm
reminds me of Bjork; each feature
The Roots affiliated beat boxers on
new LPs, and Scratch’s here on the
infectious Wadidyusay?
At a time when many singers say
nothing, even when she sings a
different language, she speaks
directly to your soul.
Highlights:
Bandy Bandy, Yaku
& Ca Varie Varie
MADVILLIAN:
MADVILLIANY
PIAS/STONES THROW
THEO
PARISH/
ROTATING
ASSEMBLY:
NATURAL
ASPIRATIONS
The New Pete
Rock* and the black Ziggy
Stardust create a master-piece.
West Coast beat digger, Madlib
(Quasimoto album, Yesterdays
New Quintet, Blue Note remixes)
hooks up with ex–KMD rapper MF
DOOM (Alias Zev Love X, also
King Geddorah and Viktor Vaughan)
for a delirious collage of futuristic,
jazz addled hip hop, Shades of
Tomorrow sounds like Sun Ra
loving aliens communicating
through keyboards and 1200s,
Strange Ways, is an anti war
message with off-kilter vocals and
Rhinestone Cowboy is, erm, a
heavy-assed rap monster. Doom
and Madlib use several alter egos,
possibly confusing newcomers, but
adding depth through entertaining
plot twists. Anyone with an
interest in experimental hip hop
should get this.
Know your history and know
your future with this soulful
house masterpiece.
Whilst many ‘Urban Artists’™
formed an orderly queue to sell their
souls for 15 minutes, progenitors of
funky US house and garage stuck to
making uplifting, soul-ful music for
dedicated followers and peers. Theo
Parish is one such (highly respected)
artist. Believing that all black music’s
various strands are extensions of jazz
he formed the Rotating Assembly,
blending live instruments and soulful
vocals with electronic beats. The
result is an album which pays respect
to the history of house music whilst
appealing to contemporary (and
future) listeners. Bu y 2 copies of
Natural Aspirations; one for you and
one for somebody you love.
Highlights:
Shades of Tomorrow,
Fancy Clown, Strange Ways
Highlights:
Split Me Open, Ascension,
Orchestral Hall
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