zerodB - Bongos, Bleeps, and Basslines

Bongos, Bleeps and Basslines' has already received raves reviews across the board, and I'm afraid we're in no position to disagree. Like aural apothecaries they have brewed a vintage LP that extends into diverse genre territory: hip hop, jazz, Latin, tribal, lounge, electro and house. Opening with a pomBa girou, they build up a ferocious beat, emphasising the tribalistic nature of dance music. A Latin and funk afterthought flows through the echoed singing, and despite the fast tempo there is nothing rushed about it. Title track Bongos, Bleeps, and Basslines features psychedelic saxophone accompanied by pacy jittering snares, while the angry bass focuses the track into a sharp edge. Urban cool is applied on Know what I'm sayin'? courtesy of Spank Rock associate Pace Rock, and flashes of bongos and Latin America prevail through Coisa de Gringo, Conga Madness, and Te Quiero. There is little room in modern day music education for forays into the many styles of the continents, but consider 'Bongos...' a foundation course. [Alex Burden]