Tag Archives: BBE Music

Switched On – Kirk Degiorgio: Modal Forces / Percussive Forces (BBE Music)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Kirk Degiorgio has been a musical explorer throughout his long career, and Modal Forces / Percussive Forces finds him turning down a new road. This is an album that turns its head back towards the 1970s, looking to recreate the format of a library music album.

This sort of album could be made by top notch musicians but with their eyes squarely on composing music specially for television or advertisements, providing incidental music or smaller, jingle-sized clips. In making this record Degiorgio set himself some strict criteria, giving himself a maximum of two minutes for the majority of the tracks.

The 16 recordings zip by in the album format, setting scenes and providing a rich tableau of jazz-laced grooves.

What’s the music like?

Authentic. Degiorgio’s grounding in jazz, funk and techno serves him very well here, for he has a great instinct of how to introduce his melodic lines – whether in treble or bass – and how to set them to a rich library of percussion, played live by session drummer Chris Whitten.

They clearly had a lot of fun if these recordings are anything to go by, from the easy disposition of Amurru, a bass-driven number in triple time, to the grit in the groove of Baltimore. There are some really good grooves in Chicago Shift, likewise the percussive Cincinnati Sunrise and Harlem – but by contrast The Oakland Feel is smoother. All are written with an eye on the dancefloor, but they satisfy all sorts of scene-setting criteria too. It’s easy to imagine a few detectives flexing their muscles and cocking their weapons to this music!

Does it all work?

It does. The only regret is that some of the tracks are good enough to run on for at least double the length, and make a few people very happy on a dancefloor somewhere! Maybe Degiorgio has longer edits that might be made available in time?

Is it recommended?

It is. An excellent, fun album – and another musical discipline that Kirk Degiorgio has successfully mastered!

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Various Artists – We Are The Children Of The Sun compiled by Paul Hillery (BBE Music)

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What’s the story?

Sometimes the cover of a book can say it all! This is definitely the case with BBE’s sunshine collection, which presents an anthology of rare tracks with a distinctly Balearic tint. Compiler Paul Hillery works from a flexible brief, allowing him to cast the net wider stylistically and include examples with a folk, MOR or funk flavour.

What’s the music like?

Ideal for hot weather. Most if not all of these names will be unfamiliar, which is a great starting point for future discoveries Airborne‘s Marie is a blissful example of the compilation’s ability to bring the sunshine directly out of the speakers, a reverie that sings “Spread your wings and fly me away”.

Among the others well worth noting Alex Crispin‘s Effert is a beauty, an airy loop of bell sounds and a chant-like vocal. The effortless groove of Checkpoint‘s I Send You All My Love makes its mark, with a lovely oboe countermelody – while there are a couple of notable flute solos in the selection too, tastefully played and not overdone.

There are particularly sultry offerings from David Datunashvili and Diana Pequeno, strong West Coast feels from Guy Maxwell and Mike Baumann / Tom Huntington, whose Man Of Misery channels the work of Gibb brothers a little. There is a burst of energy from Guy Schwartz, with the expert storytelling of Ride That Train, in contrast to the woozy harmonica, scrambled piano and ticking hi-hat of Michael Welch‘s Phone Home. Meanwhile Monica Rypma‘s Let Love Flow is a highlight, bigger 80s drums and appealing vocal reminiscent of Swing Out Sister. Pixie Lauer‘s regretful Sunday Morning adds a touch of sweet melancholy, and back on the instrumental solos theme there are some enjoyable, noodly guitar efforts, none more so than that on Phillip John Lewin‘s excellent song Fear Of Flying.

Does it all work?

It certainly does the job! A blissful time in the company of Hillery, who offers a nicely balanced set that never gets too cheesy but always stays well above 20 degrees.

Is it recommended?

It is, a blissful listen.

On Record – John Morales Presents Teddy Pendergrass – The Voice – Remixed With Philly Love (BBE)

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teddy-pendergrass

written by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Teddy Pendergrass was the main voice of Philadelphia soul in the 1970s, whether as front man of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes or as a solo singer. Remix engineer John Morales has looked to recognise that in the latest installment of his remix projects with BBE Music, keen to bring improved clarity to each of the 18 songs he has selected. This involves highlighting individual musical contributions without losing the spirit of the original, while keeping the utmost respect for the principal instrument – which of course is Teddy’s voice.

The project has the blessing of Gamble & Huff, founders of Philadelphia International Records in 1971, and the Teddy Pendergrass estate.

What’s the music like?

Once you’ve experienced Teddy Pendergrass as a singer, you don’t forget it – and John Morales ensures each of these tracks captures that formative experience.

He gets the good vibes flowing immediately, with arrangements that give the music all the breathing space it needs. There is a sumptuous orchestral introduction bookending Don’t Leave Me This Way, while the piano powering If You Don’t Know Me By Now is the icing on the cake where the pleading vocals are the star of the show. Two classic songs, with their instrumental craft illuminated by Morales. The Love I Lost may be a bittersweet song but it is wholly uplifting here, while the impassioned vocal of Where Are All My Friends is given an active counterpoint from brass and strings that respond to its changing harmonies.

These instrumental touches elevate the songs still further. Do Me has a nicely pointed sax solo. I Don’t Love You Anymore has a brilliant vocal hook, the strings bubbling under. There are some lovely string flourishes taken up by the brass on If You Know Like I Know, and a beautifully crafted orchestral intro to Now Is The Time. Some of the songs are still powered by their meaningful lyrics – with Life Is A Song Worth Singing and Is There A Place For Me especially pertinent.

Morales has chosen carefully, selecting some of the outright classics from this era, but also delving deeper to bring out lesser-known songs such as Come And Go With Me and If You Don’t Love Me.

Does it all work?

Very much so. The love John Morales has for these tracks is clear in the painstaking work bringing each component to the fore – and his work is rewarded with some noteworthy tracks, giving this music wonderful clarity and renewed energy.

Is it recommended?

Yes – Morales fans will already be on it, but fans of soul music in general will love the collection in its sparkly new clothing.

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You can purchase this compilation at the BBE Music website, where you can hear more clips and read more about the project.