Sacred Rhythm US レコード& CD

Review: Joaquin 'Joe' Clausell's Manifestation project started life as a CD featuring early and work-in-progress versions of some of the New York based DJ/producer's most inspiring and intriguing tracks. Since then, he's delivered a couple of coloured vinyl EPs featuring extended takes on these tracks. There's much to enjoy on this third (and likely final) chapter in the series. First up is a near 12-minute version of Mental Remedy's spiritual house gem 'Noi', where expansive, improvised piano solos twinkle away atop a lo-fi drum machine rhythm and starry synthesizer chords. It's followed by the kalimba and Marimba-heavy delights of The Bayara Citizens' blissful 'Kulimba', while side two boasts the weighty, dense, sweaty and insanely percussive 'Under The Influence' mix of Residue's 'Eno'.

Review: There is something of an irony to the name Joaquin Joe Claussell has given this new Manifestations series on his own Sacred Rhythm label. Why? Well he is a master of long form remixes, tunes that go on for ten-minutes plus and take you on involving trips that at least seem never-ending. Anyway, Long Versions EP 1 it is, and a fine one it is too. There are jubilant carnival house sounds packed with percussion from Mental Remedy, Kalimba showcases that take you deep into a tropical jungle from The Bayara Citizens and more airy, heady deep house from Alejate and afro-drumming excellence on a second tune from The Bayara Citizens.

Review: Jephte Guillaume and Joaquin "Joe" Clausell have been releasing collaborative singles and EPs as Mental Remedy for the best part of 17 years. Even so, A Journey To Noi is the New York duo's first full-length excursion. In their own words, the album is a soundtrack that "tells the story of an artist who travels to a foreign land and finds her true calling" with guidance from "melody, rhythm, dance and friendships". The soundtrack aspect is arguably key, as there's certainly something cinematic about the duo's fusion of global instrumentation, sweeping orchestration, deep space electronic ambient and, as you'd expect from a Clausell project, musically expansive spiritual house and jazz-dance workouts. Perhaps what's most impressive, though, is the sheer magnitude of the pair's collective musical vision.