Joey Beads is the newest addition to the fast-growing and formidable roster of Mark Seven`s Parkway Records. Joey`s original mix of Spirit Call combining the raw afrocentric rhythms of a night at New Jersey`s Zanzibar, and the stripped back sophistication of the Burrell Brothers Nu Grooves. Tony Humphries jamming with Rheji and Ron. Creating a simple but effective dance floor dynamic by shifting between a serene synth refrain and percussive fills. Throwing a few euphoric chants in toward the track`s climax.
Mr. Seven then provides a trio of remixes which set out to score temporal high points on your journey into dawn and the day. His 1AM take boasting a brooding Electribe 101-like b-line, and bigger, bolder keys. Taming the OG`s tribal elements, filling its shadows with flickering dubbed-out guitar and spinning echo. Adding a counter melody that first mimics pan-pipes, and then finally horns.
By 3AM we’re entering the atmosphere of a slightly altered state. An alien – Distant Planet – otherness, joining a chorus of celestial cries – the sort that once graced Marshall Jefferson’s Truth. The beats are more balaphon-like and the tapping timbales come on like Arthur Baker shaking down his classic 80s sound. Vocals are processed through stuttering Fairlight effects.
With the clock striking 6 the machined machinations are a little more clipped, robotic even. Still relying on idiophone-like tones to worship the sun as she rises, but with the luna drum rituals removed, their karma configured in an altogether collective calmer vibe.
Unfortunately there are no clips of Joey Beads` Spirit Call currently online – but please check the Parkway Bandcamp page for news and updates.
I wrote this review – in keeping with the record – at 6 this morning, before breakfast, before even that first coffee. The night before it had been the last thing I listened to, so I guess it had been stuck going round in my head. When I bounced the text over to Mark, this is what he said… proof that beat poetry is anything but dead…
“A couple of notes from my minds eye… 1AM: I had a lost VHS late night video-spooling, lo-fi boogie-soundtracking sultry models with cheating hearts! 3AM: All the well worn signals are in there, the East Orange rainforest vibez! Zanz meets the tropics (AGAIN!!) 6AM: I grew up on China Crisis and Larry Heard, can’t help myself!! Those M1 pipes are more Kirkby than Kilimanjaro. All the while wearing a heavy inspiration from Justin Strauss’ monster remix back catalogue.”
Reference Links
Zanzibar
Nu Groove
Electribe 101
Distant Planet
Marshall Jefferson’s Truth
Arthur Baker
