Discern/Define

After releasing a string of singles for the Hotpie and Candy label and one hard to find LP on Soulciety Records, the Poets of Rhythm come correct on this long overdue worldwide release on Quannum Projects. Founded a decade ago in Munich, Germany, these innovators in the rare groove style are seven and sometimes eight musicians deep with lead vocalist/percussionist/musical director Boris "Bo Baral" Geiger; guitarist/musical director JJ Whitfield; bassist Jan Krause; organ/moog stimulator Till Sahm; alto saxophonist Malte Muller-Egloff; alto-saxophonist Wolfgang Schlick; trumpet player Treetop; and drummer Max Whitfield. After raising eyebrows on the "I Changed My Mind" single on the Quannum Spectrum recording backing up Lyrics Born and riding the wave of interest from early-21st century hip-hop fans in old-school funk and James Brown-era breakbeat, Discern/Define modernizes space jazz over big-beat, soul harmonies, and kinky guitar rhythms with psychedelic tendencies. But the luscious music aside, the overwhelming production by the Soul-Saints is what distinguishes this record from other faceless funk records put out in the '90s and the early 2000s. With earthy room sounds that compliment the organic nature of the drums and bass with just a slight hint of feedback, all the best elements of classic soul (see: You Got It Bad Girl-era Quincy Jones) and the liveliness of live hip-hop are blended together to give the record a timeless quality. ~ Nic Kincaid|

ジャイアント・ステップのライセンス・リリースも話題となったファースト・シングル“Wesley Music”のファンキーなエキゾ感、福富幸宏のミックスCD『The Crossing』で幕開けを飾ってもいた“The Mast（Love Will Be Strong）”の印象的なスキャットとトライバルなアレンジ、さらに『Verve Remixed 3』に収録されたアニタ・オデイ“Sing, Sing, Sing”の硬質なリミックス……と事前情報はバラバラだったけど、待望のファースト・アルバムを聴いて、このマンチェスター出身の3人組の志向がおぼろげながらも見えてきた。“Cae La Lluvia”などブラジリアン調の曲を〈サウダージ〉じゃなく〈チルアウト〉な風景に彩色してしまうあたりはUK産ならではだし、ラテン風味のスウィング感をテックな感触で組み立てた“Star”など、明確な違和感をフックに転化した巧妙なクールさが逆にホットなのかも。下半期の最注目ハウス・アルバムでしょう。
bounce (C)高橋 玲子