Quasimoto
‘Astronaught EP’
(Antidote)

This West Coast space cadet seems to drop records daily, and ‘Astronaught’ sees Madlib’s helium-voiced alter ego meandering through a soundtrack of orchestral swoops and surreal vocal samples, ‘Am I Confused’ is mournful storytelling over some standard jazz loops, while the instrumental ‘Lonely Piano’ plinks and plonks inoffensively. A fair collection of album-filler rather than sure-fire single material, ‘Lib disciples will snap this up regardless, but those yet to be inducted should check the ‘Unseen’ LP for the bigger picture.


Remy Shand
‘The Way I Feel’
(Universal/Motown)

The boy’s got it all- the voice, the musical ability, the correct reference points (Al, Marvin, Curtis), a distinctive name, and the obligatory daft hat. Bypassing the polished bass popping Timbaland genre entirely, and devoid of ‘booty’ references, Remy Shand’s sound is firmly rooted in the sublime sound of early seventies Motown, utilising the Fender Bass and Rhodes piano rather than the standard drum machine and sampler. Admittedly, Remy’s appeal isn’t instant, plying low-key retro soul in a flooded market, but the combination of affecting vocals with strings, squelching guitars, stealthy keyboards and subtle percussion is a classic formula. Concentrating on old-fashioned slow burners rather than hi-tech floor fillers, ‘The Way I Feel’ is a solid introduction to a genuine talent.


Various
‘Christmas on Death Row’
(Death Row)

Devoid of any tracks depicting the robbery and eventual homicide of the three wise men for their gold, frankincense and myrrh, this is the first official UK release for this Death Row oddity. Snoop Dogg’s ‘Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto’ is fine in a post-Dre kind of way, thanks to a cheeky Isaac Hayes snippet, but saccharine sweet R&B covers of yuletide standards like ‘Frosty the Snowman’ will either fill you with seasonal spirit or leave you sicker than brandy butter overindulgence. Usually, I’d rubbish a project like this, but I’m willing to mark it up because it’s a cheerier Christmas record than De La Soul’s ‘Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa’, and at this time of year, my journalistic integrity disappears out of the window in an egg-nog induced haze. Ho, ho, hoe!