Steve Reid - Musical Orator and Drummer. R.I.P

15/04/2010 by admin.

‘Music to me is not just frequencies, and sound. It goes beyond the physical realm. It’s like talking in tongues.’ - Steve Reid (with Four Tet)

It was Reid’s belief in the spiritual power of music, and through his undying love for rhythms, improvisation and beats which led to a three year long journey around the continent of Africa in the 1960s, and to invent a genre of music which reflected his passion known as Kozmigroov. Only Reid can state such adventurous journeys.

Only a handful of musicians can safely state that their musical contributions attributed to building the influential sounds of Motown music, and to idiosyncratic artists such as Miles Davis, Sun Ra, James Brown, Fela Kuti and of course Four Tet (Kieran Hebden), who has considered himself as Reid’s musical soul-mate.

It’s with great surprise and sadness to find out through Gilles Peterson and The BPM that the restless Reid died after a prolonged battle against throat cancer.

Check the ‘Spirit Walk’ LP by ‘Steve Reid Ensemble - one of Reid’s more recent work in which includes the electronic contribution of the aformentioned Four Tet. (Released on Soul Jazz Records, 2005) The album works ultimately as a welcoming record, encompassing Steve’s musical vision from the past to the present. It’s free-flowing music, which recalls the orchestraic andorganic sensibilites of what people today call ‘Jazz’, and draws out youthful and synthesized sounds that resonate today’s constant sonic progression within music. The two sounds collide and melt into each other coherently.

Rest in peace, Steve Reid.

January 29, 1944 – April 13, 2010

Posted in Steve Reid, Soul Jazz Records, Four Tet, Wonderful, Drum Heavy, Domino Records, 2010, Uncategorized | No Comments »

These New Puritans: Polarizing, Doubling, Slashing.

09/02/2010 by admin.

It’s no secret that the Southend band These New Puritans led by the elusive Jack Barnett eschew from pigeonholing when it comes to presenting their overall sound. As heard from their debut album “Beat Pyramid“, their mission is to build their own inner world with regards to seemingly disparate influences, (from the prolific underground rap producer J Dilla. to the atmospheric layering of Steve Reich and sombreness of Robert Wyatt’s brass). Continuous progression seems natural and of reason to the quartet.



Their sophomore album ironically named “Hidden” stands as a testament to slashing their way through pre 21sth century habits of categorising music and sounds…literally. Consequently, it definitely makes sense to not listen to this album in relation to anyone as if they have any musical peers.



These New Puritans - “We Want War” - Directed by Daniel Askill





Extensive precise methods of foley recording along with the employment of producer and mixer (Graham Sutton and Dave Cooley, respectively), Japanese Taiko drums, plus a brass and woodwind section, a children’s choir, prepared piano - combined with TNPS’ beat and sampling sensibilities. ‘Hidden’ truly sounds like TNPS may well be the true heir to the Wu-Tang Clan and Benjamin Britten. Truly remarkable and challenging.

Posted in TNPS, Thames Estuary, Drum Heavy, J Dilla, 2010, Angular, Domino Records, Uncategorized | No Comments »