Releases
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Afro Strut (US Edition)Amp Fiddler |
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“A refreshingly consistent celebration of Sly and Stevie” – Word “Equal parts pimped-out kitsch and soul, it’s the sound of a contender finding his own groove.” Q After being hailed as one of the albums of 2007 by Word Magazine ‘Afro Strut’, Amp Fiddler’s sophomore album has exceeded all expectations that sometimes problematic second albums are usually tarnished with. With his eyes set firmly on being one of the best albums of 2007 as well – Amp Fiddler returns with the US edition of ‘Afro Strut’ featuring 5 new tracks. Like many of the great contemporary black music movements be it Jazz, Doo-Wop, Afrobeat, soul or hip-hop, ‘Afro Strut’ is, like its predecessor ’Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly’ without modern day comparison. The collusion of a lifetime of influences and experiences that are drawn on, used, discarded and Amp-lified across twelve rich slices of raw funk. ‘If I Don’t’ – a Top 30 Airplay Chart hit simce being A-Listed on Radio 2’s play list - is the first new track on the album which enlists Corinne Bailey Rae to sprinkle her woozy jazz vocals over the uplifting 30’s inspired song. Amp’s Jazz heritage rolls to the forefront, recalling his days in doo-wop outfit The Enchantments as a teenager and laying open the musical make up of its creator. The array of collaborators and contributors to the record further emphasises this approach. Opener ‘Faith’ sets the standard with Amp joined by Raphael Saadiq on a timelessly deep ode to spirituality of a different kind. The UK’s Justin Crawford (one half of Manchester-based dj/production outfit Unabombers and co-founding member of Elektrons) is brought in for two of the standout disco-flecked cuts ‘Right Where You Are’ and previous single ‘Ridin’. The new tracks add a change in vibe to the Afro Strut album - first released Summer 2006 in the UK. Not, is a slow paced love song with gentle piano tickering and lovelorn lyrics. In contrast, Amp’s cover of Billy Roberts classic - Hey Joe (made famous by Jimi Hendrix) shows his Detroit roots as he belts out his dark blues version of the iconic murderous song. With Scared and Come See Me completing the reworked album in an uplifting style it is clear that with this re-release Amp Fiddler has proved that in fact, what’s not broke can sometimes be fixed. |
