Review: The JalapeNo label sure does like it hot and this one is no different. It sees the return of label regulars Skeewiff for a new series of outings that take the form of reworked covers of some of their favourite library tracks, inspired by greats of the genre such as Keith Mansfield, Brian Bennett, and Alan Hawkshaw. First up is 'Exclusive Blend,' a rather classic instrumental composition by Mansfield. 'Spanish Flea' is on the flip and is a version of a very famous work by Herb Alpert and his Tijuana Brass Band. It's a funky take with lots of percussive energy and big strings.
Review: Electronic funk eclectics Skeewiff deliver their take on the classic folk song Misirlou on this 7". The average plebeian music fan will know this melody from Black Eyed Peas' hit song Pump It, but only real heads know of the melody's true hazy origins as a bazaar-style ditty from the Eastern Mediterranean (and now you do too), cropping up in the early 20th Century - or perhaps even earlier - in the context of tsifteteli and belly dances. Skeewiff's version is pumping and spacious, mixed effortlessly to provide the utmost focus on the surf-rocky lead guitar, recalling Dick Dale's version from 1962. Of course, too, there's a cover of The Winstons' Amen Brother on the B.
Review: Smoove & Turrell return with a killer single, which opens with the gospel backing of label mate Izo FitzRoy before John's incredible voice and social lyricism and Smoove's unmistakeable production lift us up into 'The Light'. Legendary US Blue Note keyboard genius Ronnie Foster joins the party as only he can; one of the very few instrumental guests Smoove has ever wanted (or needed) beyond his own band. With frontman John Turrell repurposing the cynicism towards the powers-that-be - be it the media or parliament - to positive ends, this is a veritable paean and urgent call to "rise above it and let the light shine in", in his own words.
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