CD Reviews
REVIEWED BY BLAIR ENSOR
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Basement Jaxx, Scars
Acclaimed English dance act Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe return with a brand spanking new album, Scars, which features a multitude of collaborations with vocalists from right across the musical spectrum – indie, hip-hop, dance, dub and soul.
Admittedly I never tuned into the pair's last album, Crazy Itch Radio, released in 2006, and instead remember fondly the numerous classic dance anthems of Kish Kash (2003) and Rooty (2001).
The cheesy, catchy numbers of the duo's early albums are replaced with a unique mash of collaborations, which is a bit of a shock to the system. At times the chopping and changing of artists is a little too much, and the glitchy electro flavour is a little sophisticated for my liking, but that's not to say the album does not have its moments.
Of all the tracks on the album, Feelings Gone, featuring Sam Sparro, has the most anthem appeal with sly vocals and a thumping baseline which will no doubt cram a few dance floors around New Zealand over the coming months.
Saga featuring the "oh so hot right now" Santigold and her new rave, dance hall vibe is also another cracking collaboration, while Yoko Ono in Day of the Sunflowers (We March On) also adds another hearty groove to the album.
All in all Scars is a solid addition to the Basement Jaxx catalogue, but be prepared to give it a few listens.
- The Marlborough Express
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