FFWD Weekly
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CD Reviews by FFWD Staff The house is rockin’ You’ve probably heard the saying that house music is a spiritual thing only to tune in to the radio and hear the latest stinky-as-Limburger slice of Euro-cheese from somebody like Cher or La Bouche. Believe me friends, that ain’t really house music. That’s like using Kenny G as your definition of jazz or calling Michael Bolton a soul man. Deep house is as far on the other end of the spectrum of that handbag stuff as Miles Davis and Sam Cooke are from those other two saps. It’s all about expressing emotion through the music rather than through cliché bubblegum lyrics and a catchy chorus designed by corporate committee. It’s a music heavily influenced by its forebears: blues, gospel, jazz and the music of the continent that started it all, Africa. Lately African music, especially the driving, extended grooves of artists such as Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango, has been a focus of some of the more prominent producers in house. Veterans Masters at Work, Blaze, Ten City and Kerri Chandler have been tribalizing their sound alongside newer tracks by Jephte Guillaume, "Joe" Clausell and Mateo & Matos. It’s the sound of a dark and smoky jazz club in the Congo, and can best be heard on two definitive compilations released in the last couple of years, Abstract Afro Lounge on Nite Grooves and Spiritual Life Music on the label of the same name. Tracks on both range from murky and moody to joyous and uplifting, but all are accompanied by Afro-Latin rhythms. More recently there have been only a few releases on 12-inch, but the latest one from Move A Head reveals a lot of potential for the fledgling Afro Art label. The a-side, "Drums For Maia," throbs with percussion as a Spanish guitar strums along to an angel’s scat singing, while the flipside features a dubbier take on the same sound with "Return To The Beat" and the floating downtempo track "Nu Warmth." Although not really African, there’s still plenty o’ palm splittin’ percussion on the new Guidance EP, Take It Back by Nu Spirit Helsinki. Featuring Kasio on the Fender Rhodes, these Finlanders are funky futhermuckers. The title track and the b-side are straight outta the ’70s with slappin’ bass, slick wah-wah guitars and the latter even has a subtle sample from the Car Wash soundtrack. On top of that, throw in a tune so deep you’ve gotta say screw the snorkels and strap on the scuba gear and it’s obvious that, as usual, Guidance comes with the goods. Another label with a high reputation for consistency is Paper Recordings from Manchester. The latest offering, 31 (their singles are numbered instead of titled), is from another Northern European node of funk, Norway’s Kahuun. "It’s Been A Long Time" builds over pumping percussion and a bubbling bassline until a flute rips into the refrain of the Stones’ "Paint It Black" and all manner of madness ensues. Side two sees the ‘70s late night FM groove interlude of "Le Rouge" give way to the hammering hand drums and melancholic keys of "Poploverz," which is anything but poppy. Paper mates Crazy Penis have just released their new full-length album, A Nice Hot Bath With. A better title couldn’t be found for the warm and fluid audio equivalent of an amniotic sac that the Penis boys surround you in. It’s a diverse bag of grooves, but they’re always full of funk and feeling. Ranging from downtempo nocturnal nodders to Latin leg shakers and funky disco house, this is the quintessential jazzfunk album from an end-of-the-century perspective and the perfect accompaniment for sunny afternoons on the patio. If there’s just no way that you can wait for summer to get your fill of quality house, there’s plenty around town. Check out Thursday nights at either Arena or Embassy, Friday nights at Arena and Orbit or Saturday nights at the Embassy. If you’re under 18 or the bar scene doesn’t do it for you, get out to Primary this Saturday. Headed by one of dance music’s most celebrated DJs, John Aquaviva, the house line up includes local masters of the deep such as Delerious, Domenic G. and Dr. Who? If you didn’t catch Aquaviva’s marathon set of house, disco, soul and funk last time he was in town, you’ll have three hours to redeem yourself and get exposure to one of the world’s most respected spinners. There’s also going to be hip hop, jungle, breaks, techno and trance at this event, so there’s really no excuse not to be there. Call 234-2251 for more information.

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