September 2002These are trying times for everyone. There's no need to elaborate since all aspects of our lives have been affected over the last year to some extent. Our concern here is music, and it hasn't been excluded from financial crisis. It's odd that the major labels and their artists seem to be hardest hit, at least they complain the loudest. Of course, their expectations and control have been overblown for years. Since the expectations from the small, deeply underground labels are modest their output has been consistent, just more cautious and deliberate. These days the large independent dance labels that are releasing the music catering to the masses are the most successful. This should be a good thing, making the majority happy, but with any diminishment of choice the ultimate outcome may be one of apathy. With all labels, large and small, having to restrict expenditures it's encouraging to see so many musicians taking things into their own hands and pressing up their music for music's sake. It's a comfort to realize that no matter what state the world is in we will always have music. Often, when recording artists/DJs are elevated to international sensations the success goes straight to their egos, and they are less appreciated and welcomed at home. There have been rare exceptions, Frankie Knuckles, John Digweed, Danny Teneglia, and DJ Dan's unaffected, smiling faces and skills are always appreciated and most welcomed anywhere, for instance. The newest name to be added to this very short list is San Francisco's MIGUEL MIGS. His smiling face, with "Paul Newman" crystal-clear blue eyes, is always welcomed, whether DJing or just paying a visit. Migs is genuine as a person and talented composer/musician. Miguel is considered by many to be the ambassador of San Francisco's unique soulful house sound spreading the word around the world. "Colorful You" on Naked Music/Astralwerks is his ambitious debut artist album and its fourteen songs spanning 74 minutes fully represent the essence of Bay Area club music. Migs' professional music career began as songwriter/lead guitarist for the world-dub fusion band Zion Soundz. His band experience, with strong Jamaican and African rhythms enhancing simple melodies, created a fundamental base for Migs' current work. Playing all the instruments live Miguel says: "Essentially I use the same type of ingredients as I do in reggae and dub. Basic chord progressions, subtle melodies, and rhythm with dub-style breakdowns." The down-tempo, mellow "Introseduction" kicks off the album as an overture and introduction to what is to follow. A sultry, Spanish female spoken-word entices the listener into "Colorful You." Unexpectedly, half the songs in this finely-honed set are down-tempo with a lush "blue-eyed" soul attitude. "The One," "Waiting," "Breakin It Down," (a new down-tempo version of classic Migs) "One Wish for Me" and "Don't Let Me Down" are all sensuous love songs, with luscious vocals by Lisa Shaw and Zoe Ellis that should be shared with a significant other. "Inspirational Interlude" is a short acknowledgement to Migs' "dub roots" history; its lush instrumentation harkens to classic Massive Attack. "Messages" bounces with a tight broken beat, jamming jazzy flute work and another slight nod to "dub" with a smattering of toasting throughout. The structure of the sequence of the songs on "Colorful You" was extremely well-thought-out. The listener will glide through the fourteen song journey with a few turns up and down. The six straight up-tempo house songs not only display Migs' talents at his finest, but represent the quintessence of the San Francisco club sound. "Brand New Day" is smooth and summery. The Jazzy flute and boy-girl harmonies highlight the uplifting lyrics. "Think It Over" and "Days of Color" feature a stellar performance by label mate Lisa Shaw (her solo album should be out soon) and are both ready to go straight to the clubs. "The Night," "Soul Vibe," and "Surrender" round out this outstanding set. All these will undoubtedly be released as singles at some point, but don't wait, play 'em from this essential album. It would really be hard to imagine how this album could be improved, well it can't be. However, something could be added to make it better -- a bonus mixed CD! DJ J. Mark Andrus (www.markandrus.com) mixed and mastered this eight track gem. There are a few classics but most are yet-to-be-released tracks and previously unreleased versions of songs like Blue 6 "Music & Wine." Worth the price of admission alone. From the other side of town OM Records head Chris Smith releases "Natural," the first single from his group aFRO mYSTIK's new album scheduled for spring 2003. There are two remixes here; one is a soulful, broken-beat affair for all you "body music" types that highlight the too funky to be believed beats of drummer Simone White (Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Omar Sosa) and percussionist Jason Kadlec. The main dance mix from DJ Fluid pumps this baby up to peak time. This is the kind of treatment we all crave on a soulfully-based house song, with the seductive vocals of Omega Brooks, all the balls of the progressive with none of the bang. This will surely be huge now through the holidays for every DJ. When most people (including us natives) consider the club music created in the San Francisco Bay area, there is a tendency to believe it's all deep, funky, and soulful. There are exceptions, and Billboard panelist David Garcia and Jay Walker's fledgling label Solmatic Records (info@solmaticrecords.com) are doing their part to help break the mold. The third release from these guys is from JOEY MAZZOLA "The Way We Rock"; this track may still give up just enough funk to work a floor but the youthful, Euro-styled energy sets it apart from the rest. Send review material to: |