Let’s kick start the creation of this new blog with a track by track album review that, so far, I have not seen many reviews for..
Probably best known for “Chord Memory” (Remixed by none other than “Daft Punk”), Ian Pooley, real name Ian Pinnekamp, is a German house artist who can amazingly juggle his styles between albums, ranging from the heavy underground house of his early ep’s to the ever popular Latino styles of “Since Then”.
The album I am reviewing is one of his most recent releases, “In Other Words”. Released on 13th June 2008, the album mixes heavy underground house with hip hop styles, ambient melodies and catchy rhythms to deliver some powerful, if unique, combinations.
Here is some essential Information about the album:
Artist: Ian Pooley
Title: In Other Words
Released: 2008
Style: Deep House
Length: 73:32
Tracks: 14
"Intro"
This is beautifully composed with ambient pads and the feel of rushing waters of foreign lands. It is'nt especially long, but it sets the mood excellently. It also runs into the first proper track of the album, "5 Am".
8/10
"5 Am"
Classic house, with a scene setting introduction of bongos and raindrops, which continues to repeat throguhout the song, keeping a rather ambient feel to this one.
I absolutely love the melodies that come in around 3:20, as well as the drum patterns/hi hats. Probably not the best track on the album, but definitely worth listening to...
7/10
"It's You"
Some very funky mastering on this one, especially the beginning, with panning of the elements between ears. There's a very catchy main synth, that continues to blend with the flowing vocal samples present within.
Overall, well presented and, while not a massive club hit, can be a good track to listen in the background or when you need an upbeat, feel good track.
8/10
"What I Got (Featuring Tim Fuller)"
Starting off with a decent drumset build up, then diving straight into some 80's style bass, this track is definitely one to listen. There are some nice drops and builds here, good vocal effects, if not fully understandable, and a funky bassline to boot.
This definitely feels simmilar to Crydajam's "If You Give Me The Love That I Want" in style, but I can't help thinking that there could have been more to the track overall.
6/10
"Heat (Featuring Perry Colo)"
One of my personal favourites this. Very soulful peice of music that does not require your brain to function to enjoy, with a truly beautiful main sound and almost perfect mastering and builds.
There is just something very enjoyable about listening to "Heat", something I can't quite put my finger on. Listen yourself and see. Maybe perfection doesn't need to be explained?
9/10
"Blue Intelude"
What a great way to separate the beginning of the album with the remainder. "Blue Intelude" perfectly segments the ambience and peace of the first part of this album, with beautifully crafted bubbling leads and soft liquid pads. The pace is slow and allows you to get ready before the different styles in the middle of the LP.
7/10
"Steppin' Out"
Hands down, this is my personal favourite on the album. Absolutely excellent style here, mixing house and hip hop together, with massive piano, groovy hip vocals and bangin' bass drum. The way the track is put together and mastered is of especially high quality. I never thought a hip hop track could still be so house/electronic without being overwhealmingly mainstream.
Overall, a very powerful recording that I find hard to fault. Even if hip hop isn't really your style, I don't think there is much to complain about "Steppin' Out".
9.5/10
"Maestral (2008)"
Just one word to describe this track really. Funky!
The beginning is near on perfectly manufactured, with the drumkit introducing us to the piano and bassline very quickly. The bassline here carries the rest of the elements right through to the end, as does the exotic sounds found after a few minutes in.
There's an almost carribean flavour to the music on offer here, with some hints of latino still sneaking into parts. Combining some varying filters, modulation and a repetative but catchy piano roll marks this track to be a favourite to listeners. A winning favourite.
8/10
"Last Nite"
My god. Just unbeleiveable sequencing going on here. Extremely soulful piece once again, just about the right kind of bass on offer, and what I can only descibe as a massively catchy set of instruments and patterns. Loving the drumset here, as well as the random sounds popping in now and again.
Some very sexy synths going on here, which might be why the song is titled as it is. I wonder what Ian got last nite to make this up?
9/10
"Learn (Featuring Robert Owens)"
Beginning with a swirly bassline that rebuilds itself through the intro, which also helps to support the vocals as they enter the scene. Instrument wise, very simple construction allows the other words to really present themselves to the audience.
I'm really enjoying the actual vocals here, with a powerful meaning about learning to love others and yourself and looking at what makes you. A very enjoyable listen, but you have to be in the mood to stick this one through.
7.5/10
"The Hippest Hip"
Obviously, some more hip hop style is in order, Ian Pooley style. This changes completely compared to "Steppin' Out", being alot more downtempo with more old school funk bass and variating soft pads. Not as many vocals, but they match so well to the overlapping beats and instruments that I can;t really complain about that.
Must say, this really is hip, but I don't think it's the hippest. But you be the judge.
7/10
"My Kicks"
Back to Ian's favoured underground/latino styles again, this one certainly has the kicks, as well as the laidback listenability of his older works. The basic structure rarely changes, but that's not a deal breaker for My Kicks.
I love the twist with the vocals, coming in and out as the song evolves towards the end, as well as the forementioned kick drums. These are only my opinions, but hey. Still a kicking track.
8/10
"Do The Thang"
Absolutely love the intro on here. I must wonder who Hank is though?
Catchy latino instruments come back again, mixing well with the overall feel of a carribean beach party, me thinks. Of mention also is the stabby jiggly synth that pops up now and again. I'd definitely recommend this track for playing at parties to really get the crowd going.
8.5/10
"Closer"
A perfect end to a very successful album. This one sounds more like the electrohouse that i'm personally accustomed to. Classic detroit house beats, catchy synth, and extrememylenjoyable to listen to anywhere really. I'd like to think that Ian put alot of love into this closing statement for the album, as it is a great example of his signature style of Latino/Deep House.
9/10
Overall
I personally think that Ian Pooley's work deserves alot more credit that it currently recieves. He is a great underground producer, and here it really shows.
The blend of styles on offer here, old and new, mainstream and underground, can sometimes show what an artist is truly capable of when they push themselves to create masterpieces. In Other Words, this is a near perfect listen, and essential.
Overall score: 9/10
Some Links:
"In Other Words" at Discogs
"In Other Words" at Amazon
Some track from the album on Youtube to listen to:
Cheers,
Dark.
