Search - Nightmares on Wax :: Carboot Soul

Soulful "Carboot"

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 05/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nightmares on Wax is one of those legendary one-man bands who crop up every now and then (also known as George Evelyn, but that doesn't sound as cool). Even the "merely good" work by people such as he is astounding, inventive and really fun.



And "Carboot Soul," his third album, is no exception: it's an amazing mixture of chillout electronica and acid jazz. It's a bit less hazy than his 1995 "Smoker's Delight," but that isn't surprising -- here Evelyn pulls on various influences to flavour his music. The title fits this album: it's soulful, yet it has as many influences as a "carboot" rummage sale.



It begins on a symphonic note in the epic "Les nuits," which seems to herald a new music direction. Don't be deceived. The symphonic build-up leads to funky grooves and jazzy flavours in "Morse," which continues to the brassy "Easejimi," the mellow murmurs of "Finer," and the wonderfully peculiar "Argha Noah." Say that last title out loud, and you'll understand the joke.



But there is a slightly more delicate style near the end, when Evelyn switches to the gently rippling guitar of "Fire in the Middle," the melancholy acid jazz of "Survival," and the eerier, more symphonic sound of "Capumcap." Evelyn ends the album on a high note, with those sensitive, lower-key songs.



It's hard to find groups as good as Nightmares on Wax -- scour the top hundreds, and you won't find anything like this. I personally found "Carboot Soul" in a tiny hole-in-the-wall music store, in the "used" bin, although it's hard to imagine why anyone would discard an album like this.



Despite the chillout label, Evelyn's music has a sort of relaxed warmth that counterpoints the icy sound of many other bands. He also has a good ear for samples and beats, lacing them with razor-sharp drums and some wonderful brass instrumentation. Sara Winton's rich voice is used well, crooning, "A bottle like a model shipwreck/where did it come from?/Where will it go?/A face without a name/survival..."



"Carboot Soul" is another triumph by Nightmares on Wax, and another wonderful display of George Evelyn's considerable talents. An absolute joy."

Chilled beats at its best.

Pantytec is my god, it should be yo | Pittsburgh, PA | 12/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Compared to everyone else on Warp Records these days, it always seemed that(Along with LFO) Nightmares on Wax were a bit out of place. But considering the progressive nature of the label, it only seems proper that George Evelyn and his laid back grooves are allowed to breathe on Warp. This is the finest, most laid back album you will ever hear. The Album starts out with the cinematic "Les Nuits", and the laxadazical grooves of "Morse", my presonal favorite, and then grooves on with "Ethnic Majority", "Ease Jimi" and "Finer". If you can find an album that flows better, give it to me, but right now, smoking a jay and listening to "Carboot Soul" seems only right to me. George Evelyn put chill out on the map, and really no one would even think about putting one of those stupid "Chill Mix" cd's without thinking of the man and his work. He's come a long way from his Acid House days and put in perspective a definitive sound that many have tried to copy. I could go on and on (Can you believe I'm 19?) but I'm going to let this review speak for itself."

Great chill/trip hop

Kai | CA USA | 07/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hands down, this has got to be one of my favorite albums of all time. This album is designed to make your senses tingle and your mind to drift into bliss. Starting out with the classic "Les Nuits", the track eases you into "Morse", the second track and my personal favorite. Layered with warm melodies and beautiful female vocals, the song will surely capture your mind and transport you to a state of pureness. "Ethnic Purity" follows with a nice horn section and bass line reminicent of the Antibalas Orchestra of the black movement. "Jorge" slows down with an easy, relaxing rythmic beat and female vocal, while the popular "Finer" invites your mind to wander with a deep, yet soft bassline and female vocal element. "Ease Jimi" brings the instrumental Antibalas influence back, while the psychadelic "Argha Noah" climaxes the album and send you into a state of euphoria. The three songs that follow are designed to bring you down and conclude the trip, thus the category "trip hop"is fitting in every respect. I recommend this not only to trip hop/chillout enthusiasts, but to anybody who enjoys music."