Gilles Peterson Presents Brownswood Bubblers Seven [CD]

Brownswood Bubblers Seven (7) continues the series of musical compilations issued by Brownswood Recordings, founded by erstwhile DJ Gilles Peterson. Each offers a broad selection of tracks that can be seen to reflect the ethic of Peterson's show as a Radio 1 DJ, fusing his longstanding willingness to explore informed with his long experience as a DJ and deep love of Jazz music. With the series reaching issue seven, is the quality still being maintained?

The album opens with Jon Phonics' 'The One', utilising a sample of Angela Bofil's 'Let Me Be The One', this track is a synth drenched track that will surely appeal to fans of a slower paced groove. 'Thrum' by Tanya Auclair is a typically idiosyncratic vocal track, featuring a vocal that glides over an angular electronic backing with chaotic percussive edges, reminiscent in a small way of the much earlier work of Japan and David Sylvian, and such loose percussive elements are also to be heard underpinning 'La La' by the Stepkids, which is permeated particularly by the musical and psychedelic influence of The Rotary Connection. 'Shoot The Ducks To Win' is equally quirky, featuring an all female vocal harmonic that weaves beautifully, resplendent in a beguiling melodic simplicity. The repeated ascending chords to 'Waking Sleep (Thoughts)' are joined by a clear vocal line that is supported by deeply resonant bass playing. The voice provides an indication of the formal training and exquisite competence of the 28 year old Zara McFarlane, a lady with a very bright future ahead of her, informed by an appreciation of Jazz.

Jazz can also be heard in Ntjam Rosie's 'In Need', and here we hear another formally trained musician delivering a very accomplished vocal performance. 'Sensitive' by Cleveland & Ahmed has been around for quite some time, having received deserved support from Starpoint Radio and other UK soul radio stations. Some appear to argue that modern soul music lacks real qualitative depth - this track is proof that this is far from the case. Obenewa's 'Make It Better' is a beautifully paced track that features a vocal that is raw and (thankfully) free from the affectation of a US accent for a UK based artist. Taken from her debut EP 'Once Upon A Time', this will certainly be on 'repeat' for some time. The pace increases for 'Wind Blows' by Ivy Chanel, which is likely to appeal strongly to fans of a Jazz influenced danceable groove. If you can imagine a track that manages to meld the spare trumpet phrasing of Roy Hargrove, a soulful voice (and a backing track) that has clearly been influenced by the complex productions supporting Marvin Gaye (particularly the rhythmic drive of 'I Want You'), then you are somewhere near the sound in 'Liquid Love' by Chris Turner.

'Hey' by King is another gorgeous track, that opens up beautifully as the song progresses, and is surely worth the price of purchase alone. Wonderful stuff. Fans of 80s synth driven grooves may find their ears being drawn immediately to 'B4 The Night Is Thru' by Jesse Boykins. New York based Cubic Zirconia is a group featuring the vocal talents of Tiombe Lockhart, here joined by guest vocalist Bilal for the track 'Night Or Day'. The track hints at early House music, but is clearly not intended to be easily classified. The Park's 'Belleville' sees a return to the percussive elements heard in the Tanya Auclair and Stepkids tracks (in the manner of a clock), but soon transforms in to an assured groove riding over a stuttering broken beat, at times hinting at Latin before veering off in to an almost reggae tinted excursion. The album concludes with Ratcliffe's 'Mindset', an instrumental that hints at dub with the sonic crashes so beloved of Flying Lotus.

So. Do you buy?

Peterson has a deserved reputation as being eclectically minded musically, and the 'Brownswood Bubblers' series allows for a quick snapshot of what can often be quirky or genre defying music, very often showcasing independent artists that might not otherwise gain the exposure that the Brownswood Recordings platform can offer (and building upon his work as a Radio 1 DJ). Eclecticism can be a highly charged term in DJing and musical circles, particularly when it descends in to the practice of obscurantism. This is certainly not the case here, for whilst eclectic and interesting there are musically related threads running through all of the selected tracks - Jazz and Soul being the clearest examples to offer. Qualitatively the tracks all work particularly well, although one might suggest that Ratcliffe's 'Mindset' would have been better placed on a Brownswood 'Electric' compilation.

If there is a complaint to be made it relates to the increasingly common label practice of issuing product in simple cardboard sleeves that are simply NOT able to protect or secure the cd - often leading to the disc falling out and thereby becoming damaged. This may well arise from ensuring costs are kept low, and may also be an encouragement to seek digital product, but for those of us who like tangible product it remains an irritant!

This issue aside, if you are seeking solace from formulaic musical compilations, and have a mind and accompanying ear that is willing to explore then this has to be your next purchase. Very strongly recommended - an essential purchase.

I have all the others to date, and prefer the older ones to be honest... This CD is Ok. It didnt wow me.
There are some nice tunes on it, but I am finding I am fast forwarding a bit too much. Perhaps they will grow on me. Only time will tell!
However, if you are a fellow collector, then I would say buy it.

One of the best bubblers. Love the mix of jazz, neo soul, electro vibes to name a few. New talent at it's best