When you’ve got urban soul founded in the heart of Aotearoa pumping right into your veins, stream of consciousness can be an amazing thing.
And the hypnotising opening tracks of Electro Soul Plane by Substax provoked all manner of imagery.
This virtual journey began where I found myself in an airport lounge watching the world fly by, then change of track and tact, and I’m an undercover agent in a console shoot ’em up. I’m then shot back to reality, where the song and scene transports me to a desolate street where I’m caught in a rainstorm, until I find solace in a nearby cafe….
Sounds bizarre, but Electro Soul Plane is one of those albums with the ability to awaken the mind’s eye – whether it be on headphones at your desk, speakers of your car or cranked through a large PA- you’re certainly not going to be switched off.
With its eclectic fusion of spacey synths, smooth vocals, funked-up 70’s disco, and stylish sampling and overlays, you’ll find something unique in each of the twelve tracks ranging from upbeat breaks to downtempo soul.
The Substax squadron comprises the audio due of Nick Farrands and Jason Johnston, vocalist and songwriter Claudia Gunn and video artist Janine Randerson. Farrands is the producer behind the Substax sound with Johnston heading art direction. The group formed in London eight years ago and their work includes multi-media installations, film, television and radio work, collaborations with kiwi breaks DJ Timmy Schumacher, and now a debut album.
Electro Soul Plane has been released under Sugarlicks records – a label born from a long running club night at Khuja Lounge bar in Auckland, where performers from all artistic backgrounds are given five minutes of expressive freedom. After an overwhelming response Sugarlicks records was established to promote and release urban soul music from New Zealand to the rest of the world.
The album will be toured with a full video rig later in the year. Support New Zealand music and arouse your mind to the addictive flavours of Substax.
By Jaimee Astle
www.xtra.co.nz
13/05/2005