Customer Reviews

Fusa Riot

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently listened to this album and lord knows, I can't stop playing it. It immediately grabs you from the opening track with it's latin/jazz/trip hop mixture and continues to the final track, which truly caps off a wonderful project.

The music is reminiscent of '70s blaxploitation soundtracks with drums and groovy bass lines. NO VOCALS. Immediately, you're taken back to the era of Shaft and Dolemite, with some mellow tracks that take you to places that only exist in your mind.

If you're a fan of NIGHTMARES ON WAX "Smoker's Delight", then this album my friends, is definitely one to grab and cherish. And if you're not familiar with NOW, give this a try. You won't be sorry.

Fusa Riot is unbelievably tight and pure 70's in mood and image. Bobby Hughes Experience is a set of 4 amazing Nordic folks whose expertise in retroacid jazz with a masterly helping of swanky Hammond synth is unparalled. Each song has distinct energy, owing to the bassline and brazila drums. If you are into acid jazz and would like it with a twist of modern martini loungy, afro wiggy disco bally then go for it. You will not regret it. This band has a tight sound and all the tracks are pure honey to the ears. One of their tracks was used on the immensely popular Hi Fidelity Lounge CD.

No need to make space for this CD on your CD rack, cos' your CD player in your car ain't givinig it back when it swallows it.

I have looked everywhere for this cd and cant find it anywhere. So I just want to tell you how lucky everyone of you out there that have this cd are. If anyone out there is tired of theirs or does not appreciate their purchase let me know because I will tell ya....I am so lonely without it! P.S. if its out of stock, that must tell a person how good it really is.

There's just something about that flute.

Attempts at recapturing the heyday of soul and funk generally just end up sounding dated. But artists the like of guitarist John Scofield have, in the past few years, managed to take that classic '60s lineup (guitar, bass, drums and organ) and updated it.

That is what the Bobby Hughes Experience has done with "Fusa Riot." Combining that sound, paired with sonic effects and killer breakbeats, this album recalls Richard Roundtree's "Shaft" AND Samuel L. Jackson's "Shaft" at the same time. Showing the roots of the past while looking towards the future.

And if the future of experimental jazz looks like this, so much the better. Pick this one up today for sure.

This cd is fantastic. It has very smooth, yet at times intense, grooves that simply don't let up. Very reminiscent of early Jimmy Smith, Lonnie Smith, and even Walter Wanderly. I suppose if Cal Tjader had played the organ (rather than vibes) it would sound like this. Indeed it does sound like something off of one of Blue Note's "Rare Groove" or "Break Beats" series.

BHE definitely stays true to the general Eighteenth Street Lounge form. Very cool grooves, tight organ playing, smooth sounds/vibes.

Definitely give this one a try, as I am sure you will dig this release.

First - it is true. This album is extremely difficult to find. You probably won't find it at the (diminishing) retailors. The funny thing is even when there were lots of record stores, it still wasn't easy to track down. When you saw it online, for the longest time it was at an astronomical price. There's definitely a kind of mystique to this cd. The Bobby Hughes Experience, a group spearheaded by Espen Horne and later renamed/reshuffled to become "Bobby Hughes Combination" put out a great piece here. While Espen would later do different projects that went away from this sound, "Fusa Riot" captures a very special time to me. I'll mention it later but the late 90's and 00's really did have some excellent artists and scenes.

What is it? It's funk, it's samples, it's soul, it's hammond, percussion, flute, horns and excellent production work all rolled up into one. And it's the genius of the selected samples which pull you in, but more than anything the consistency of the music is like a great funk soundtrack - without being too 'funky'. Opening up with "The Piper Cherokee", you're treated to guitar & percussion loops and great flute work. Flute samples and keys dominate "My French Brother", but the album really rolls to me with "B & S", with Rodrigo Lopez on hammond. Wonderful key and flute play. I also really dug "Ore Twentyfore" as well. Small world, that drum/percussion loop, pulled straight off of Niagra's old "Rhythm Go" fits rather nicely. "Sambartica" will remind me of what would come out of Schema's early sounds in the late 90's/early 00's. Other tracks I dug were "Sahara 72" and "The Krohn Session" was an awesome outro. It shows how they jammed all the way through to the end.

I definitely recommend this if you can get it at a decent enough price. And if you do enjoy it, definitely check out "Nhu Golden Era" which followed this up some three years later. However be warned that while Nhu Golden Era has some similar approaches, it's sound is very, very different - not quite as 'in-your face'. Also note that The Bobby Hughes Experience released some 12" singles that aren't on this. So if you're looking for "Seasons", for instance, that isn't here & the hunt will continue. But what a time! 1999... when this was released, Thievery Corporation was getting more and more popular & helping to usher in the lounge scene with ESL and their own albums. Nicola Conte, Gerardo Frisina and Ishtar/Schema were getting bigger, Rainer Truby was into the sound as well and of course the Irma label's artists. And Kyoto Jazz Massive, Isabelle Antena, Buscemi and many others were releasing great albums and music as lounge, funk, house & Nu-jazz evolved. Makes me really miss the early days of Hotel Costes, Des Pres Cafe or Thievery's early compilations. This is definitely one to check out and enjoy - with a martini and fun friends around.

The track "Seasons" on Eighteenth Street Lounge Soundtrack brought this band to my attention. A smooth and relaxed 70's groove which reminded me of Funk Inc. back in those days. On Fusa Riot you will find lots more of these grooves, ideal for sipping your whisky late at night. A minus of this album: a bit too much of the same. I mean, the flute is annoying me sometimes when I pay real attention to it. But for lounging and relaxing this album is perfect.

Listening to Bobby Hughes new CD is total ear candy-I long to listen to more of what this dude has to offer the music world. Makes me want to move to the U.K. so I can have the pleasure of seeing such act's live. Check this disk out, I know you'll dig it.

This melodic blend of jazz, soul and trip hop is enjoyable from beginning to end. I have worked in a record store for about five years now, and very rarely these days do I get excited about something new. I listen to this cd at least once a day. Seek it out, it is the REAL DEAL.

The music is definitely very pleasant. Not too many artists work in this jenre. If you like this - try also Tassel & Naturel, and, my perennial favorite - Azymuth. By the way, to the guy who assmes Bobby Hughes is British, try this - the guy is Norwegian.