The Rurals - Magic EP (LAR-058)
Yeah! I guess there is hope for house music yet. The most talked
about new producers of 2000 make their shining debut on Large Music.
Please welcome them to the Family after several fantastic releases
and their acclaimed LP "Headsongs". The Rurals are Andy Compton
and Marie "Tweek", two English musicians who live on a farm in rural
Devon, England. When they are not tending to their horses, they
are in the studio with several amazing jazz musicians creating a
unique, funky, and hauntingly ethereal sound. This will be one of
many Rurals releases on Large and your support is fully appreciated.
Ben Mynott | Blues & Soul | 13. March 2001
Devon's finest return, this time though making their debut on the
US label Large Music. "The Magic EP" follows hot on the heels of
the "These Changes EP" released on their own label Peng here in
the UK, and will again appeal to both the Downtempo and the House
fraternities due of their distinctive soulful flava, which combines
superb laid-back jazz workouts with sophisticated house music. It
is a formula that is working and once again on the title track,
the gorgeous (and I mean absolutely bloody gorgeous), vocals from
Marie "Tweek" complement the slick production of Andy Compton, The
Rurals' two founder members. Soulful house a la Naked Music. But
things slow down on the flip and "Zebular" threatens to steal the
show with a track that sees the duo return to the studio with several
of the jazz musicians that made the album "Headsongs" such a pleasurable
listen. Weaving sax solos (could it be from that man Bob again?)
meander throughout before "Tweek" again soothes the mood with yet
more luscious vocals. Apparently this is going to be one of many
releases on Large from The Rurals, flying the flag for quality UK
dance music. I still believe that this is gonna be their year. That
aside this one's gonna fly and will tear it up in the clubs. Simply
stunning. Miss this at your peril! 5/5
MC | Blues & Soul | 8. January 2001
Putting rural England on the map are Andy Compton and Marie "Tweek"
better known as The Rurals, musicians about to get the area of Devon
on the map - usually famed more for their real ice cream and golden
beaches. After several independent releases and a well acclaimed
LP Headsongs, they are making greater impact Stateside - thanks
to one Jeff Craven's intuitive forsight and bloody good ears - this
EP will be first in a series for his label. The three tracks are
quite individual and close up listening of each shows the sincerity
production-wise. "Magic" is a lengthy piano chord affair with a
sweet vocal at its helm and what sounds like the influence of Isaac
Hayes' early compositions. On the b-side of this value for money
single is the up-tempo "Disco Gannet" which makes use of Imagination's
Burning Up soul tune, only the bass line is given a filtered and
reverbed accent for effectiveness, it also boosts the bong that
is the kick drum. This is a disco fans dream. Expression of a sax
draws the appeal on the last effort "Zebular". It's quite airy all
over, rather celestial and dream-like while the whispers of bongos
and the percussion round off this tantalising great British export
of soul substance all the way.
For Your Eyes And Ears Only...
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