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Don't Call it Acid Jazz,
Don't Call it Trip Hop,
It's a JazzN'Bass Thang…
James Hardway, a pioneer
of bringing the elements of jazz and funk into the electronica realm, joins
forces with StreetBeat Records to bring you two upcoming releases! "Grow", was released in January, 2000 as the first single released in the US from his fourth full-length CD "A Positive Sweat", which is slated for release in February, 2000 on the StreetBeat label. This release sees Amanda Ghost join the fold to add her distinctive vocals to the seductive horns, lush keyboards and super cool bass normally associated with James. A dreamy sax and insistent flute combine superbly with her vocals on "Grow" allowing the track to glide and sway. "Grow" is available on 12" and CD in the StreetBeat catalog. (SB-061)
With "A Positive Sweat", James has continued his jazz funk refraction from his debut "drum'n'bass" laden "Deeper, Wider, Smoother, Shit". This time he gives us 4 "real" vocal tracks, a whole bunch of real musicians, and collaborations with the fantastic vocalist Amanda Ghost. James even takes to the mike himself on the ever building "Go On".
James always takes us everywhere across his musical spectrum, from lounge core, to almost jazz funk works out of "Canters Diner", to the wild and ultra soulful "Lament". The LP is the result of extensive live work during last year when James decided to record live jams in seedy studios and then go about restructuring the jams with electronic manipulation. Nearly all the tracks come from "live" tapes to computer, "A Positive Sweat" could be described as almost "unplugged".
James this time gives us the ultimate 21st century soul album, convincingly leaving the genre baggage behind him. "A Positive Sweat" is not a club album, and doesn't try to be either, "A Positive Sweat" firmly establishes James Hardway as a unique force within electronica.
Comparisons !... this LP could have been Herbie Hancock in 1999, it could also be likened to recent experimenters like Squarepusher, or is a soundtrack that should have graced "Buffalo 66" or even "Fear and Loathing"... If fact this music and new versions from his 98 "Neon Lounge" album were indeed used in the 1998 award winning underground film "Sex Lives in LA", James' first full score.
Look for James and his band in the US in 2000!
Check out James' website at www.jameshardway.com!
The James Hardway story.
What people are saying about James Hardway.
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Positive Sweat SB-061 |
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