100
Drum: BEATS
A lb u m
R ev iew s
VARIOUS ARTISTS:
BROTHERS ON THE SLIDE:
SANCTUARY
Various
KEVIN MARK
TRAIL–JUST LIVING
EMI
Craig Silvey, Kevin Mark Trail
ASIAN DUB
FOUNDATION–TANK
LABELS/EMI
Chandrasonic, Sun J, Ben Watkins
An enjoyable history lesson
in homegrown funk
Accomplished debut from self proclaimed rising star.
A cohesive collection of potent
protest songs
B rothers. . . brings together 18
tracks from 1969 to ’75, a pivotal
era of U.K. funk. Amongst the
numerous gems is the low slung
title track by Cymande, the
player’s anthem T he V ulture by
Labi Siffre and the sensual T ouch
M e, T ak e M e by Rita Wright.
Many of the songs here have
gone on to be sampled by
contemporary artists (Joe Cocker’s
W oman T o W oman has been
used by everyone from
Ultramagnetic MCs to Dr Dre on
Calif ornia L ov e). Whether you
are a funk & soul aficionado or a
neophyte seeking an entertaining
history lesson, you’re sure to find
B rothers. . . a collection of the
highest calibre.
J ust L iv ing kicks off in impressive
style, with recent single D T hames
setting a somber, atmospheric
tone, before P erspectiv e’s horns
and optimistic musings lighten the
mood. Eg o City, a lament on the
fakeness endemic in the big city,
is another of the many highlights;
the production is sublime and the
lyrics are poignant and genuine.
B reathless deserves to be a
single. By mixing reggae and soul
influences (and not biting T he
Streets’ style for a second) Kevin
has delivered a distinctly British,
very personal album which only
falters when he tries too hard to
prove that he’s being sincere
(B read being the main offender).
ADF’s latest outing dissects the
W ar on T error with a powerful
mix of drum and bass, electro,
rock, ragga and Bollywood – style
samples. Thundering 2 step and
double time flows make Flyov er
a storming first single. Most vocals
are handled by MC Spex and On –
U Sounds’ Ghetto Priest (whose
melodic voice is reminiscent of
Horace Andy), their contrasting
styles work well together throughout. R ound Up is the album’s
most powerful call against indifference of political and religious
intolerance. A couple of the later
songs sound a little similar to
earlier moments; M elod y 7 stands
out, offering a balance from the
incessant energy in ADF’s music
and message.
Highlights: B rothers. . . , T he
V ulture, T ouch me, T ak e me
Highlights; D T hames, Eg o City,
B reathless
Highlights; Flyov er, R ound Up,
M elod y 7