Customer Reviews

Keep It Unreal

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

mr. scruff, oh mr. scruff...you've made a very nice cd indeed. It has all different kinds of beats, vocals and samples. You not only manage to keep the listener interested, but also keep the songs fresh and innovative. Each track is almost alarmingly different from the others. Truly a fantastic mix mr. scruff. Kudos to the fish.

Two things will stick out after you hear this compilation album by DJ and producer Mr. Scruff: crisp drums and fish songs. The fourteen tunes here are mostly fun, sprightly numbers with some odds and ends thrown in, like a ballad or two. You've probably heard of Mr. Scruff from his hit "Get a Move On," a hopelessly catchy number and #5 on my top songs of 1999 (and featured in a prominent car ad, of course). There are similar numbers, such as the organ pop of "Blackpool Roll" that would fit a Beetlejuice soundtrack, or "Chipmunk," a better version of the track "So Long," which precedes it. "Honeydew" was the other single released off the album, a slower piece that overcomes the somewhat dodgy lyrics with the sultry, husky voice credited to Fi.

Unfortunately, about half the album is respectable filler (the competent "Do You Hear," "Midnight Feast") or skippable (the raga of "JusJus," the cringing echoed voices of "Cheeky"). The aforementioned fish songs "Shanty Town" and "Fish" show that Scruff has an extensive collection of sea narratives and recordings, but their cleverness still only warrants the occasional spin.

This record shows it's heritage as a compilation of his work, its disjointed nature making it an uneasy listen from start to end. But the handful of highpoints (and the fish songs) make this a decent purchase for those looking for something different.

I first heard of Scruff on MTV with his jazz-sampling 'Get A Move On' and tracked him down immediatly. From the very Massive Attackesque instrumental numbers to the truly bizarre nautical 'Fish' & 'Shanty Town', there are no fillers on the album. He is undeservedly very obscure, so I doubt he'll ever amount to much. However he knocks Massive Attack's, Groove Armada'a, Air's, Orbital's and Underworld's new albums into a cocked hat. Possibly simultaneously.

This is the 1999 release - Mr. Scruff's Keep it Unreal. I remember in 99', Keep a Move on was big in the cafe's, etc. Heck, my first exposure to the cut was on a Hotel Costes cd. However over the past year or so, the advertising execs **discovered** the cut and probably figured the jazzs amples in the cut mixed in with the electronica and beat would be the perfect way to promote the luxury division of Ford, Lincoln, to the new and old school and emphasis the class. I don't know why, but I always get a little disappointed to hear some cuts I like pop up on some commercials like that, but so be it. That's how a lot of others get turned onto the music - if not for the product they're being used for. ("Bossa Per Due", "Rennaisance Affair", "Porcelain", etc.)

But... who can blame Lincoln? It's true! That's what the cd really is - another look into nu-jazz as done by Mr. Scruff. But don't think that that's the only cool track on this release. You have a light intro, followed up with Get a Move On. But Midnight Feast is a solid cut, Honeystew has a pretty fly beat to it, and my favorite cut is the total coolness of "So Long", which is really why I picked this one up. The keyboards and xylophone are great - reminds me of two opposites a London night, or a sun-drenched day lounging at the beach. It's followed up by another sweet nostalgic track with the touch of spunk needed for it's title: "Chipmunk".

So pick this one up! I didn't fall for every track - some of the end songs just didn't grab me. But I'd have to say if you're a fan of Jaffa's Elevator cd, you'll probably dig this one too.

The opening track (after is he ready) is simply one of the finest musical experiences that i have ever enjoyed. I love this album like it were my son and would have slept with it, if my girlfriend would let me. Get a move on is a superb tune (and is often used in advertising for shows like Newsround and Ally Mcbeal)and when coupled with Blackfoot Roll, the stunning vocals and relaxed beats of Honeydew (i not sure if this is the correct name and can't be bothered to check)and the pure comedy of Fish with the amphibious nostrils and Shanty Town with its whale obsession make this album pure gold dust.

Mr. Scruff takes us on a journey through dim rooms with people chilling on beanbags. With such standout tracks as Get A Move On, Midnight Feast, Honeydew, So Long, Blackpool Roll, and Fish this is one CD that won't be leaving your cd player/changer any time soon. Although most of this CD may be too abstract for wide audiences, seasoned downtempo veterans should be able to open their minds to the world of Mr. Scruff.

Mr scruff has released an album less what's considered "dance" and more a sublime concoction of groves and beats.
His classical training as a muscian and extensive collection of vinyl, cleartly influnced this creation.
Ranging from the lushious composition of midnight feats and honey dew to the quirky and downright bizzarre i.e "fish" and "shanty town".
This Album truly is mood music of the highest calibre; warm, pleasant and relaxing...(but don't mistake this for a chill out album). A ray of sunshine for anytime day or night.
somehow 5 stars seems barely adequate.

Mr Scruff is the master of all kinds of modern dance music: He always takes an ironic step ahead and mixes Hip Hop with british nu skool breaks, filters swing beats through unpretentious House claps and combines the unbeatable Franky Flow of Roots Manuva with an unstoppable stompin funksample influenced straight Hip Hop Old school beat. If you like the Herbalizer, Freq Nasty or even Rae & Christian you gotta have this record masterpiece!

If you like Get a Move On which is used in Lincoln Navigator commercial, hear the original from Moondog, called Bird's Lament.

I am a heavy duty buyer, with wide abstract taste - ninja tunes - K&D, Orbital etc - so it was great to hear a new fresh sound - and several ocean going themes to boot. More fish and mammals please.