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Rating: So, what I am about to do is probably an unusual act for dear Debaser, yet the most appropriate thing to do in such a situation, given the time elapsed since my last contact with these artists and the impossibility of compiling the tracks I have enjoyed into a single album... But the fundamental link is what I will describe at the end of this review, which is certainly the core and the essence of the message I wish to convey, along with the introduction of the aforementioned artists. I don't know if this review will ever see the light of day, but despite this, one tries, as usual, driven by the most sincere and spontaneous of feelings...
I had the chance to meet these people online through MySpace a couple of years ago, and I was struck by some of their works, more or less original, and above all by their attitude, that of being fresh, approachable, and down-to-earth... A characteristic that happily marries and at the same time contrasts (obviously in my eyes) with these crudely elitist times, where anyone seems to aspire to a defaming fame, without having the right nor merit...
Having said this, I would say let's move on to the description of these individuals, one English, the other two Americans from Indiana, as well as their singles... These modern times are characterized by a growing number of artists who decide to give their works a strong blend of genres which, at the same time, both confirm and strongly clash when reflecting the character of the global mix in which our societies seem to be increasingly inclined towards day after day... This is a point that can apply to Ariake Waveband and A Kid Called Computer, much less to Cas One, who prefers to adhere more to a primarily rap style, like Hammer in his best times, in good taste... The common denominator that unites these artists is surely the fact of putting heart and soul into what they do. Obvious, you might say; much less, in my regard, when this process is also evident from the objective listening of the tracks, not remaining just a theoretical concept...
Every time the radio is turned on, one finds themselves having to listen to horrendous tracks, characterized by such banality and lack of pathos (understood as feeling, positive or negative) that the unwise listener risks lobotomization and a consequent transformation of their own human essence into tin and microchips... Moreover, of unspeakably poor quality. Now, let's cut the chatter and move on to the analysis of "She Never Knew How Much", one of the very first tracks by the English Ariake Waveband, creator of a melodic electrofunk characterized by a rare musical sensitivity... The ingredients are a foundational minimalism where single samples of individual instruments, knowingly mixed, give life to atmospheres filled with rare beauty and depth, from which you will be captivated from the start, immersed in melodies capable of touching deep within and that will make both heart and mind vibrate in unison... Tempo changes and effects accompanied by vocalizations that, like every other element of the track, have the function of neither overwhelming nor being overwhelmed, to bestow the whole with homogeneity and magic...
Moving on to the MC Cas One, one gets the impression, from the quality of his musical base, of being in front of a track from dear old Hammer, from which he surely draws extensively (at least in this track), but elevating to the maximum the communicative and sound qualities... We are indeed facing one of those tracks that grab you unrelentingly from the first beat... An introductory sax and the following pounding bass will accompany the fitting beat, along with orchestral brass, to provide Cas's voice with a truly engaging blend... An experience that one is quite happy to replay...
We conclude this roundup with the eclectic A Kid Called Computer describing the track "Playing God"... A profound and ethereal keyboard loop, shimmers of strings, and deep bass riffs open the piece and lead to the start of the beat, essential, broken, and as another element that unites all these singles, contributes to a set of harmony, never exaggerated, never off-key, always stimulating and superbly mixed.
Now, to conclude... What is the main intention of this review (if it can be called that :)? To shed light and highlight simple people who choose the channel of sincerity, of essential existentiality... Who, in these pompous and vulgar times, manage through alternative channels to spread their sound and creed, snubbing at large the big, filthy, and corrupt marketing methods.... Where for existence one needs to bargain ourselves and our soul, even before our art... Having said that, I am happy to note that Debaser remains a singular yet successful case of musical diffusion and beyond... It has grown over time, as I hope all of us have, and has managed to maintain an "easy" style, while evolving and opening up to the most varied musical genres, without losing its essence.
Below are the links to listen to the tracks from this review and to get to know these artists more deeply, who undoubtedly deserve an in-depth listen... Having changed the operating system (I have happily switched to a Mac), I had some problems creating the samples, which is why I leave the links... But it is also a way not to simply stop at a track, or a name, but to begin or continue to explore those channels and methodologies that allow us (for better or worse) to perceive music and everything connected to it in a less commercial and elitist way, so that the essence and substance of the matter prevail, more than any form (and the form) of servility meant to sacrifice ourselves and our essence to the insensitive and ruthless laws of commercial ratings. Regards to all.
Ariake Waveband - "She Never Knew How Much"
Cas One - "Blood on the Playground"
A Kid Called Computer - "Playing God"
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