The Rebirth of COOL

Rip It Up, Issue 181, 1 August 1992, Page 18

The Rebirth of COOL

X Clan: X Odus I A new generation is taking up | the challenge thrown down by I the likes of Malcolm X and the Black Panther party. This is the j rhythm of new-age raptivism: the sound of the future, led by X Clan. J “Funk is as black as you’re gonna get unless you go blues,” says Overseer Professor X, “our music falls in line with the vibe of what we’re trying to get across.” X Clan’s music bristles with brutal realism — a _ combination of pro-black knowledge and funk wisdom. Their new album X Odus is a hardline agenda with beats to match.

X Clan contribute a track to The Rebirth of Cool compilation and their new album X Odus has just been released.

Ronny Jordan: The Antidote Ronny Jordan has become the phenomenon of the UK cool jazz scene. The single ‘So What’, a reworking of the Miles Davis classic, was a major hit in the UK — the first jazz instrumental to break into the charts sine the 60s. Jordan taught himself to play, living for two decades in “the Groove Academy”, the area of North London where he was born. Immersed in gospel funk and reggae he intuitively learnt the essence of the “groove” before he discovered jazz and his career was born. His debut album The Antidote introduces a remarkable musician whose ideas reflect his myriad of influences, but the end result is all his own. Catch the cool!

“Free your ass so your mind can follow”

Galliano: A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator Rob Gallagher — renamed Galliano by DJ and Talkin’ Loud boss Giles Peterson — is special. Anyone who can bring together ex-Style Councilman Mick Talbot, Brother Constantine, percussionist Brother Spry and not produce a musical disaster area must be out of the ordinary. Constantine is the talent who inflicted last year’s Flare Groove 70s revival on the world, by the way, and A Joyful Noise Unto the Creator is, as the title suggests, bound by a similar regard for anything hip and left-field. Suffused in the hothouse atmosphere of some imaginary jazz dive, this album knows how to shake its ass, nonetheless. ‘Skunk Funk’, featuring the extraordinary Carleen Anderson on backing, rolls with a spontaneity missing from so much dance, while the other standout, ’Golden Flowers', calls upon Omar to voice its persuasive beat. ★★★★ Tim Marsh Q Magazine, July 1992

□ looks set to succeed where countless have failed.” ARENA

■iw VOX n

Young Disciples: Road To Freedom Jazz renegades the Young Disciples have produced one of the decade’s classiest jazz/ funk albums. Road To Freedom blends their myriad of influences and inspirations with outstanding results. The band describes itself as three perspectives joined by a mutual appreciation of funk, soul, gospel, jazz, reggae and R & B, and with this album they attempt to build a bridge between these genres, past and future. One thing is for sure: the Young Disciples are leading the field in innovative dance music — don’t be left behind.

Incognito: Tribes, Vibes & Scribes Incognito might be a name for a musical genre rather than a band. Jazz funk has always maintained a large grassroots following without ever drawing the massive hype of other dance styles. Incognito has been with the music since the beginning of the 80s, forever chasing what leader Bluey calls “free spirits over a groove”. The band are now entering a new phase that will finally bring to fruition their dream, and it is on their new album Tribes, Scribes and Vibes that it all comes together. It’s sleek, funky, soulful, brassy, breezy and still chasing the free spirits — watch it go!

Brand New Heavies: Brand New Heavies On August 14 Brand New Heavies release a brand new single ‘Don’t Let It Go To Your Head’. Newly recorded (so previously unavailable), ‘Don’t Let It Go To Your Head’ has been added to a new (and final!) version of their debut album Brand New Heavies also available from August 14. “Groovy before rare groove and the sweetest soul sound around . .. for all style gurus, smooth operators and slick dancing kids ( everywhere.” City Limits

“An LP whose every track is sublime” Z? < THE FACE ■

“Blinding dance music” MIXMAG