From the island oasis known as Soul Shine comes another excellent double pack release, a double pack that accentuates "true house." Since so little is every written about the positive message of "true house," I will add my two cents here. "Across The Land" is more of what we need in this world, and Mr. Jones, my sincerest blessings goes out to you for spreading God's message; a message that is all the more needed since we're slowly becoming a world of interconnected desensitized humans. On the musical front, the mixes evoke a spirit lifting serenity that can only be attributed to things that are God inspired. An excellent union of music and message!
Marcel

Writing a review about a new record from my beloved Jamiroquai while not even having one tiny little chance to give it 5 stars hurts! But what can I do? Jami's new album is far away from being revolutionary and timeless as their first two albums. But to be honest, this was an impossible task in the first place, so maybe I should calm down a little bit and try to forget about the time when money and fame wasn't on their minds as much as it is nowadays - unfortunately. Recently, I read a review on CNN about this album only to see drummer Derrick McKenzie giving props to the American MTV!? Please Derrick, of course MTV here in the US was responsible for your breakthrough last year, but don't thank them. They suck big time, and all MTV cares about is money. And having CNN report that Jamiroquai was a one-hit wonder back in the days before the success in the US is definitely not true! Goddammit, why is it that every great group has to finish on No. 1 in American charts? If that is so important for you, let's all forget about the music because you will be in good company with Bad Boy, No Limits or LaFace 'artists'. Holla Holla, Dolla Dolla!

No wonder that Jamiroquai's newest album left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I still dig a couple of tracks like the beautiful "Falling," a track which takes us back to jewels like "Mr. Moon." But even on highlights like this something is missing! I don't want to join other people, but former bass player, genius and man behind a lot of Jami hits, Stuart Zender, is missing. Listen to "Falling" and imagine Stuart's unprecedented bass playing, and you will realize that a lot of soul, passion and heart is missing because of Stuart's departure from Jamiroquai. Nick Fyffe, the new bass player, is alright and he's trying hard, but he still lacks the expressive power of Stuart's bass magic. And why did Stuart leave the band? Basically because of money reasons. I am sorry, but if I would have been Jay, I would have tried everything to keep Stuart in the band!

As a result, the music featured on this album lacks the seriousness and sophisticated structures compared to tracks like "Blow Your Mind" or "When You Gonna Learn?," something which Derrick justifies as being because this album contains the kind of music members from Jamiroquai would listen to while having parties. There's nothing wrong about party music, but I am sure the times when I had people going nuts to songs like "Too Young To Die" or "Space Cowboy" are over. The songs are just too predictable and simple structured to make me jump up with the joy, something which I never would have thought to write about music from Jamiroquai.

But leaving all those negative energies aside, there are some tracks which are really nice. "Falling" was one of them, "Butterfly" is another one, with its luscious strings and mellow vibes while Jay's voice is as gorgeous as usual. "Supersonic" is dope as well and reminded me of classical Jamiroquai songs, because it features Wallis Buchanan on Digeridoo. At the end let's also mention "Destitute Illusion," a killer track which provides tons of soulful vibes and became my favorite track on "Synkronized," maybe because it's an instrumental track and therefore lacks Jay's dominance.

I will leave you with the mixed feelings I still have. But one thing is for sure, I will see Jamiroquai live on July 12th here in Chicago, and I hope that they're still the dopest live band on this planet. Maybe they continue keeping it real at least live on stage, even without Stuart on bass ...
MG

A must have two track EP for those of you who appreciates good music. The man with the golden touch returns with "Live On Da Set 1" and the threshold of good music rises a few more notches. A threshold that begins with the genre-less "All 4 U," and ends with "Rock Shock," a musical funk fusion that has Mr. Davis' genius written all over. OK, here's my unbiased take on these two little gems. Well, "All 4 U" is a superb heavenly reminder that He made this world and all it's splendor for us all; something we all seem to overlook at times, or even worst, take for granted! With his soothing waterfallish vocals, Roy gets his point across to those of us who dares to listen. Watch out for the updated Hendrix-like guitar solo in this track... it's a definite showstopper. On the other hand, "Rock Shock" is a cutting edge track that takes our music to new heights, without sacrificing the basic foundational elements or its soul... a delicious musical concoction.
Marcel

Things aren't always what they seem, and how true that rings when it comes to this release. Not one to get caught up in the current overindulgence of filtered disco-wanna-be tracks slowly making their rounds, I decided to give this 12" a chance. To my surprise, my musical voyage turned out a lot better than I expected. As matter of fact, I am here to inform you, that this 12" is neither a disco-wanna-be, or overly filtered. Quite simply, it's an excellent record, one that should have its moment in the spotlight. Although all the mixes will serve their intended purpose on the dance floor, I found myself lost in "Pete Heller's Dub'. It may not have the same effect on you, but personally speaking, this mix is... hmmmmmm... let me see how I can put this... "WICKED." Bravo to the Playland staff for selecting this winner!
Marcel

If you're wondering how house music will sound in ten or twenty years from now, listen to Chris Gray's latest album and I promise you can't wait to end up in the future. No doubt, Chris latest album is one of the strongest and most creative contributions to our mother house music, and as a bonus extremely deep and soulful. What else do I ask for?

Chris' album left me speechless and deeply shaken. It somehow touched a chord in my soul, removed the worries in my life, closed my eyes and transformed me into a parallel dimension, where everything's gonna be alright. Isn't this one of the main purposes of music? For me it is! And Chris does something else which is important for me. He shows that house music can be relaxing, that it can be smooth and that it can be sentimental. When people normally think about house, they mostly think about dance music. Well, listen to tracks like "Undoubted Luv" or "Protekt U Frum The Werld," and you will realize that this is soul music instead, very deep, very soulful, and very heartwarming. Music which Larry Heard started a decade ago, and music which gets transferred to higher ground on this album.

But let me warn you. Chris music might be too experimental, too electronic and maybe even too soulful for you, so be careful. This album is for serious music lovas only, and nothing for the part-time house music fan. You have to take some time to experience the indescribable beauty of wide empty spaces on some of the tracks. Just zipping through the songs doesn't do it! But once you have settled down and listened to it, you will realize how gorgeous house music can be...
MG

Absolutely Magnificent! Sorry if I sound a bit bias, but if you can show me a more spiritually conscious and talented collective group of people than Dubtribe, then they will get my vote. For the time being, I will continue to cast my vote for this musical tribe, a tribe that always breaks the mold when it comes to "true" music. Don't just take my word for it... head to your local music outlet and grab a copy, and start spreading the vibe of the tribe!!!!
Marcel

Fundamentally sound is how I would sum up this latest release on Midnite. Here u have it music fans, no bells, no whistles, no studio tricks, just a simple solid EP. This is an EP that travels the highway of funk, while driving the beat of soul. Jump to my favorite track, "Get Over" and experience a vibe that should raise the temperature of your soul. By the way, you don't have to wait till midnight to drop this one. An easy buy if you're looking for one of those "I can play this whenever" kinda record.
Marcel

Move over Paris, one of your Nordic neighbors is about to join the French dominated realm of funkiness. "The Basic Funk EP" will explode on the scene later this year, and in my humble words, it's about to cause some musical disturbance. No, no, people will not be rioting in the streets, but they sure will be gyrating their bods on the dance floor to this little gem in the making. This EP all you expect it to be and then some, there is a track to suit every musical taste. If funk is your musical drug of choice, then look no further, and add this one to your prescription list. The Swedes are coming... the Swedes are coming... you were warned!!!!
Marcel