Twilight Circus 1
MANASSEH MEETS BLOOD AND FIRE (M Records 10 INCH)
An absolutely outstanding release from Holland’s Twilight Circus, ably helped by some big big names.
Manasseh are absolutely at the top of their game at the moment – check their remix of Emiliana Torrini’s “Rocky Roads” also.
Here TC’s recording of Michael Rose is given a breathtakingly simple treatment, just the right level of tweaky bleeps, skanking beats and live horns. Michael Rose floats above the music giving us a great reworking of Prince Alla’s “Funeral” and deejay Brother Culture even pops his head round the corner for a few bars. The dub coasts along gently with the bassline doing nice things on the nastiest of mornings. TUNE!!!
On the flipside the Blood & Fire soundsystem (i.e. B&F in its live/deejay incarnation) hooks up with Wai Wan (who I thought did House?!). A bizarre combination, to say the least. Of course, when the track kicked off, it all made sense. B&F’s keen feel for classic 70s reggae combined with a bit of dancefloor knowledge, leads neatly to… some funky breakbeat business with Ranking Joe (himself stranger to B&F live or on CD) brocking out in fine style above the occasional phrase from Mr Rose. And Ranking Joe rides a breakbeat waaaaaay better than most of the drum ‘n’ bass MCs I’ve had the misfortune to endure… (new broom sweep clean, but old broom know all the corners!)
I’m not easily blown away by contemporary roots and dub, but this is total quality from start to finish, me olde muckers…
