When the UK started raving under the smiley banner around 20 years ago, not
everyone felt like going mental to banging beats. There was still a whole
spectrum of classic soul, jazz and funk to be pointed at a new generation of
dancefloor hedonists. The Talking Loud & Saying Something sessions started
at Camden’s Dingwall’s by Gilles Peterson were riotous musical
cross-pollinations which led to Eddie Piller and Giles part-jokingly
setting up a label they called Acid Jazz, adding a goatee and beret to
Smiley. After launching with Galliano, singles followed by names including
Brand New Heavies, James Taylor Quintet, A Man Called Adam and DJ Chris
Bangs under aliases like Lay-Zee Muthas and the Quiet Boys. The deluge
spread to the highly-successful Totally Wired compilation series. Many are
captured here in their cool, multi-hued glory, including the massively rare
‘Like A Gun’ by King Truman – actually Paul Weller and the Style Council in
full funk mode but pulled due to record company pressure. Of course, this
mad melting pot led to a whole movement, chart success, providing the
blueprint for today’s urban chart action. It was a lot more fun back then
though.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
