The man formally known as Transcenden has been making records for over ten
years straddling styles from 80s synth-pop to breaks. A self-confessed
crate-rummaging record fiend, he started working in Dave Marino’s New York
studio and now finds himself constructing an entire album out of his
collection. It’s a welcome alternative to ringtone laptop hell which seems
to boast the soul of a wasp as classic, J.B.’s-era funk beats are set up
then sprinkled with delights like Aretha on the opening ‘Neptune’s Minty
Trident’ or Otis Redding singing ‘Amen’ in ‘To The Evening Red And Morning
Grey’, all peppered with a gamut of horns, guitars and ‘get down’
exhortations culled from a legion of vinyl biscuits and woven seamlessly
like a comfy pair of funky drawers. For an old funker like me it’s sheer
bliss, the guitar-brass interplay on the hypnotic ‘Ode To Cap’n Gaye’ worth
the admission alone. He even tackles haunting ambience on ‘When The Waves
Turn The Minutes To Hours’ before Derrick May’s ‘Nude Photo’ makes a surpise
appearance on the closing ‘The Sight Of Land Ne’er Sweeter’ – accompanied by
breaks, soul girl bite, cinematic strings, brass and plaintive guitar!
Defiantly old school, a joy to listen to and obviously made with love.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs