Future Jazz par excellence!

Since bagging the rather lush 5 x 10" box set of the Innerzone Orchestra LP 'Programmed', I've been kicking myself repeatedly for not having discovered such an immense album in all the time I've been burrowing my head into music full throttle. There are so many different vibes that emanate from each record side, and having it split across 5 bits o' wax really helps appreciate this.

I'll admit now to being a newbie as far as the real Detroit heritage goes. It's only recently that I'm finally starting to understand and appreciate Carl Craig (having rinsed out 'The Album Formerly Known As...' yesterday). There's a mental check-list of names I need to take the time to discover fully (Jeff Mills, Underground Resistance, Kenny Larkin, Derrick May, Theo Parrish etc.) but to hear 'Programmed' and hear the lines truly blur between jazz and techno and everything that exists between them was pretty monumental for me. Having heard the way people postulate about Detroit techno and all it's intricacies, I was yet to realise the vision so many of these producers have for myself.

So if you get a chance to pick up this album do - it's prime-time grade A home listening bliss, perfect to warm your bones while the weather goes to shit.

Frivolous - anything but...

An artist recommendation for you to start the week off
- Frivolous.

Known to his folks as Daniel Gardner, he's been releasing records for six years now, including two LPs. Originating from Montreal, his sound shares the same quirky, soulful ethic as a large chunk of the Canadian set (Akufen, Mike Shannon, Deadbeat etc etc) but with even more of the living breathing heart that makes that particular brand of electronic music so inviting.

Reports of his live sets tell of home-made equipment creating a feast for the eyes as well as the ears, and you just need to check out his DIY page to see the kinds of creations this manically creative mind has come up with (Broken-Ruler Music Box, Frivo-lozikel (a pedal-powered reverb unit), Double Cable-Tub Bass).

And as for the tunes, they veer between truly soul-stirring moments of uplifting beauty to head-down groove-laden funk, all shot through with a sense of humour that enhances the music rather than detracting from it. Here's the SB&B recommended list:

Frivolous - 'Song Of The Kwanning Bird' - (Karloff) - A lovely little funk-out with a wonky piano line and all manner of smiley dancefloor dynamics.

Frivolous - 'Kisses (Spilt Milk Mix)' - (Proptronix) - taken from the 'XXX EP', sampling old-time country tune Kisses Sweeter Than Wine and giving it a hefty dose of funk (and check the aluminium can sampling - tight!)

Frivolous - 'Island Of Sanctity (v.2)' - (~Scape) - A recent single for Pole's label, with a real stop-in-your-tracks musical moment as the mournful blues vocal drops away to a belter of a house beat.

Frivolous - 'Midnight Black Indulgence' - (~Scape) - The latest Frivolous LP released some time last year, with all manner of moods touched upon. Check the 'Post Depression' skit for some ace Only Fools & Horses sampling.

Frivolous - 'Busy Bee' - (Trimsound) - Dropped as part of the last ace Trimsound compilation, this has got some great considered electro snarls, great vocal snippets and yet more of that hip-swivelling stuff.

For more info on this immense producer check the following links:

Frivolous Home Page
Free streaming tunes at New Music Canada
Frivolous Discogs page