PERHAPS it is
because I am hopelessly out of touch, tragically unhip or even subconsciously jealous
that I am so uncool to carry it off with any conviction, but I have an inherent
distrust of anyone who describes other folk as ‘cats’.
It seems to belong to another time and place, when roll-necks, wide
lapels and wild Afros ruled the world. And I would undoubtedly be chased from my
local Wetherspoon by burly men in cheap sportswear for talking such jive.
Yet cats is the term I keep returning to when pondering the dudes behind
vinyl release number two from Italy’s beautifully burgeoning label Roots
Underground. Because for the excellent four-track trip – and it is a trip –
that is the Chase Down EP,
Sapporo-based Fuminori Kagajo [King Street Sounds/Slip‘N’Slide/Fatsouls Records]
has surrounded himself with a gaggle of accomplished musicians who sound like
they may have served their apprenticeships with Herbie Hancock and The
Headhunters.
The title track
is a funky-ass journey back to the seventies; soulful, sassy and seriously
groovy, it couldn’t be cooler if it were sporting a leather trench coat and mirrored shades. And that is in large
part due to the outrageously sharp keyboard skills of the super-talented Takuto Kudo. His fingers are
working overtime too on the stunning Aggregation,
a wonderfully deep and driving number that irresistibly works both the head and
feet to maximum effect.
Over on the flipside there is no sign of slowing down. Indeed, if
anything the joyous The Tropics takes
the pace up a notch or two, albeit this time with an Afro-Latin lilt. And
despite more sterling keyboard gymnastics from Mr Kudo, it is in fact the brass
section that takes centre stage with a twisted and frenetic contribution.
Closing track Depths Of The Forest is much more contemporary house territory. There’s still a delightful and uplifting keyboard solo on parade but this time married to a deep house sensibility and kick. It’s a heady brew.
Buy here.
Check out:
Closing track Depths Of The Forest is much more contemporary house territory. There’s still a delightful and uplifting keyboard solo on parade but this time married to a deep house sensibility and kick. It’s a heady brew.
Buy here.
Check out:
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