Music Reviews
Artist:
Flowriders’Title:
R.U.E.D.YLabel:
Mr Bongo
'R.U.E.D.Y', the follow up to Flowriders’ impressive and critically well received debut ‘Starcraft’ combines hip-hop, broken beats, jazz grooves, funk and soulful vocals on an album that rewards repeat listening. Amsterdam producer Vincent Helbert, aka Flowriders, started out writing, performing and recording acoustic jazz. With this collection the early jazz influences are pushed into new directions using electronics to create a multilayered and inventive new sound.
At times it can feel like there is too much happening on each track, particularly on ‘Looking Deep’ the longest track on the album, though this is a minor quibble. Featuring vocals from artists such as Spoonface, Nia Shaw and regular collaborator Colonel Red, Helbert has enlisted some fine partners to maintain the sophisticated and innovative style. Featuring live drum contributions from Richard Spaven, who has previously worked with TY and 4Hero, the live set-up would certainly be worth checking out.
Fans of other hip-hop/jazz fusions such as Jazzanova would definitely find something in R.U.E.D.Y. While it may not hit the creative heights or cross-over commercial success of Jazzanova, Flowriders have clearly gained some high profile fans in the German-based collective- “One never gets tired listening to it, and something new is heard on each play. Jazz, broken beats, funk, roots and soulful vocals all sublimely knitted together on one eargasmic recording”- Jazzanova. ‘Experience’ the last and perhaps the standout track is the one that best captures the soul of this recording, superb vocals are driven by a huge bass line, great electronics, a jazzy keyboard solo, supported by fine drums and percussion, a standout track on an already outstanding album.
R.U.E.D.Y is released on 22nd October, on Mr Bongo
