Search - Various Artists :: Especial Records Presents Essence of Es

Sweeeeet!

bordersj2 | Boston | 11/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This one took me by surprise. Since it was compiled by Kyoto Jazz Massive, I knew I had to at least check it out and that faith was repaid. The insignias on the cover are hint to the label if you're into collecting 12" cuts from Hajime Yoshizawa or Sleep Walker; this is a compilation of tunes from that label - some of these tracks making rare or first appearances on cd format.



I largely picked this one up for the Chirs & Nina + Friends track, but I got much more than I bargained for. The CD starts out with a Sleep Walker track featuring the smooth & sofisticated vocals of Bembe Segue - no stranger to the broken beat scene either side of the world herself. I can't remembr where else I heard a version of the song though... maybe it was Hajime's cd. A real treat is Bakura's "Empty Faces", loaded with neat effects and real great beats and production. I still dig the classic "Vera Cruz" but this is an awesome tribute. Then you've got a KJM Remix to Masa Collective's "Love is Everywhere". KJM are some of the masters of remixes and percussion rhythms and it shows in this one. But it's not one of the stronger cuts on the album IMO - those titles belong to Mark De Clive-Lowe and Hajime Yoshizawa. Both artists are amazing pianists and keyboardists. Mark hails from Japan and New Zealand, settlin' in London and his "Twilight" track features Lady Alma on vocals. It's really his sound; reminiscent of late 70's or early 80's urban US soul with a splash of West London flavor. The track is a DJ's dream... a step up from the already incredible "Tide's Arising" tracks. Not to be outdone though is Hajime Yoshizawa's "I am With You", a cut featuring Nina Miranda on vocals. It's got a neat broken beat to it and an amazin' flow. And Chris & Nina's "Mash Banana" is nice as well. Of the works they've been a part of since the old Smoke City or even Da Lata days, I'd say this one is the closest to that sweet, enjoyable original sound. But check the original of the cut (Mash Banana's a remix) which, to my knowledge, is only available on 12". Oh... and Bossa Free's track "Rise Me Up" really is on Hajime Yoshizawa's latest album. No surprise, since Bossa Free is one of Hajime's group's.



This is fantastic compilation and I recommend it. I didn't realy dig all the songs though - not a fan of the Markus Enochson track (the remix, at least), which sounds like a very mediocre version of Sterling Ensemble's "The World". But there are enough good beats and original vibes here to show you why Especial Records is one of the top labels I pick up 12" records from, and how lucky we are that KJM of all groups assembled some of their tracks and put them into a cd! Check it out, and if you do like this, check out Smoke City's "Flying Away", Sleep Walker's album, Hajime Yoshizawa's works (especially "Music from the Edge of the Universe") and you'd probably also like Kyoto Jazz Massive's "Crossbreed" series along with "Bossa Tres... Jazz: When Japan Meets Europe". For the most part, the linear notes are NOT in Kanji and you'll be hard pressed to find this one cheaper than 22 bucks."