NOSTALGIA 77 – FIFTEEN (BEST OF) – TRU THOUGHTS

Ben Lamdin is the man behind Nostalgia 77, a Tru Thoughts stalwart whose best of celebration is long overdue. Handpicked by Lamdin and the label, it is testament to a man who has many strings to his bow, including jazz, hip hop, soul and all sorts besides on his musical CV. Part of this adaptability is down to his collaborators, and it is perhaps inevitable that Alice Russell’s searing take on ‘Seven Nation Army’ is included here, but of equal appeal is the dreamy ‘Quiet Dawn’ with Beth Rowley, the easy but colourful production behind Jeb Loy Nichols’ ‘Strange Faith And Practice’ and ‘Medicine Chest Dub’, a great meeting of minds with Prince Fatty. The Nostalgia 77 Octet are let loose on ‘Desert Fairy Princess’, a rich fountain of invention, while the bass line behind ‘Lotus Tree’ powers a nine-minute epic that could be twice the length and still captivate the mind, with brilliant trombone and saxophone solos at its heart. Fifteen is an illustration of what Tru Thoughts do best, marking a British musical talent who fully deserves the celebration of this hugely impressive anniversary, but highlighting at the same time the resources they have at their disposal.
 
Ben Hogwood
5 out of 5