A hell of a record from drummer Moses Boyd – a musician who's fast becoming way more than a drummer! Here, Boyd is in the same "jazz plus" territory of Makaya McCraven – still strongly respectful of his lineage in the music, but also trying very hard to push the whole thing forward, and open up to new sounds and new ears – all in ways that are never commercial or crossover at all! Moses is clearly becoming a force on the London scene to match the collaborative genius of Makaya in Chicago – and although there's no personnel listed on the set, we can hear some fantastic work on saxes, keyboards, and vocals – which are handled by both male and female singers. And although Boyd drums on the set, he's clearly working more as a larger producer/arranger – one who isn't afraid to throw in a few beats from time to time – on titles that include "Yoyo", "Shades Of You", "Stranger Than Fiction", "BTB", "Far Gone", "Nommos Descent", and "What Now". ~ Dusty Groove
An amazing group, sounding even better here on their second album than they did the first time around – which is quite an achievement, as we really loved that record from this mighty trio! The group's an offshoot from the Ill Considered combo – and they've got an approach that's similar to that group, but maybe even more modal and spiritual overall – tremendous bass from Leon Brichard, tight drums from Tom Skinner, and searing reed solos from Idris Rahman – who blows tenor, flute, and clarinet over the long grooves laid down by the bass and drums! Rhythm is at the core of every track, and there's energy that flows right from the original inspiration of Coltrane's early 60s groove – but Rahman's solos are very distinct, and add a hell of a lot to the already great sound of the group. Titles include "Light In The Sorrow", "Distant Thunder", "Fire", "Mirage", "Under The Night Sky", and "Where The Wild Things Dance". ~ Dusty Groove
The Monophonics sound better here than ever before – as if the group's gone through some great mutation that's got them coming across with a richer, more mature sound than we ever might have expected a few years before! Things are still pretty darn funky, but there's also strong currents of deeper 70s soul – both a fragile east coast harmony vein, and some fuller arrangements from time to time – almost as if All-Platinum Records were co-producing a set with Curtom – although with some of the sunnier Cali elements we've always heard from the group. Kelly Finnigan produced, and handled lead vocals and plenty of keyboards – but the set's definitely a group affair, and sounds different than Finnigan's other work – and has a sublime sound that's right at home on the Colemine label. Titles include "Tunnel Vision", "Last One Standing", "It's Only Us", "All In The Family", "Run For Your Life", "Day By Day", and "Suffocating". ~ Dusty Groove
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