Customer Reviews

Compressed Light

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I always enjoyed the ethereal, organic house music produced by Wamdue, so when I knew that Chris Brann was about to release new material under the P'Taah moniker, I couldn't wait for the release. Much to my surprise the music in this audio offering bears no resemblance whatsoever to his previous work. Which is excellent! I really admire musicians that get away from their comfort zone and stray to new areas, and when they succeed, like in this particular case, it opens a whole new array of possibilities. P'Taah is a combination of organic electronica and electronic jazz with brilliant chill out vibes. It sort of reminds me a bit of another great release by Yennah (which I also reviewed); all in all, the title of my review recaps my take on this talented musician. Just listen to it a couple of times and you'll become addicted, promise.

I'm impressed that a man who was previously a house producer could come up with something so complex. Beautiful jazz, that got me slack-jawed the first time I listened to it. This is definately electronic music, but it is more true to jazz, than most house/jazz releases. This is not a dance album that has horns and jazzy keys, like many electronica releases being called jazzy. Although I love Jazzanova, the reviewer that expects this to be like Jazzanova is comparing two different worlds. Keep your head up on this one if you like fusion, electronica, more on the vein of squarepusher and Amon Tobin meets Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Ok, a breakthrough sounds trite, but this is where things are going - a pefect blend of styles and genres - ambient, drum and bass, jazz, beat, latin... Miles-ish, upbeat, sometimes meditative. The artistry in this album shines through...well worth it.

First off, this album took me to a beautiful place I can not yet fully describe. The atmospheres and synth sounds P'Taah has come up with incredible and it all revolves around different interpretations of jazz. He incorporates everything from downtempo and acid jazz, to Jazzanova style house fusion, and on to ambient drum and bass that would make Roni Size jealous. Long story short, this album at least deserves a listen. In my opinion, it deserves several listens because it is getting a large amount of airplay in my CD player. Fans of the aforementioned Roni Size, the Compost Record label, and jazz in general need to check this guy out. I promise you won't be sorry.

COMPRESSED LIGHT is a beautiful album -- jazz that's forward-thinking and startlingly complex. P'Taah (a.k.a. Chris Brann) craft tracks that continually morph, going one way, then another, without taking an easy ways out. You can sense a bit of a Latin influence, sometimes in percussion, other times squarely on its sleeve. But, without a doubt, the music stands repeated listens. Of particular interest: the blissful beauty of "Flying High." A wonderful new direction for the usually house-oriented Mr. Brann.

Sophisticated and elegant, streetstyle sounds...I wouldn't call this downtempo, but it IS definately that 'perfect inbetween'. Deep and mellow grooves blended with energetic rhythym perfect for dancing or listening. The album flows, while each track is a departure from the last. Ptaah employs great percussion, creating beats both innovative and original, without being too abstract. The sound is global, yet focused...futuristic, and classic. It may take a few listens, but there are some extremely cool songs on this album.

Innovation is an important property of every decent electronic/dance artist. Chris Brann cannot be blamed for any lack of it, in his short career as a musician. Now he goes way beyound his tasty, deep & soulful house tunes, to produce some cutting-edge dance music. Fusion is the key-word here, but techno is the main ingredient, which TMHO makes this work so progressive. Although I am a big fan of the 60s and 70s independent jazz & funk music, I could not resist listening to this album again and again. I wouldn't call it jazzy or funky; it has a lot of breaks & electronic sounds, it is fun to listen to, it's danceable, sometimes even funny - in other words INTERESTING! Get it!