AMG N.Y. EXPERT REVIEW
This is the second Shadow release by Goo, a European turntablist who also runs his own label, Synchrovision, out of Switzerland.
As with his previous effort, the mood is dark and funky, slightly
downtempo but never afraid to kick things up a notch when the spirit
directs. One might not normally associate Switzerland with
Experimental hip-hop, but after listening to Elements you'd swear
there was a thriving scene.
Goo has certainly absorbed a ton of influences somewhere along the way -- on "Bomboclat Elements" he draws onjungle, reggae, and jazz to produce a piece of atmospheric and dub-inflected funk;
"The Greatest" (here in a version remixed by DJ Cam) is a breakbeat tribute to Muhammed Ali; "Amour Bleu" takes lazy, jazzy beats and marries them to a ragbag of samples and virtuosic turntablism.
The end result is a constantly fascinating album that dances
lightly on the boundaries between acid jazz, breakbeat funk, and abstraction. Highly recommended.
Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
GOO - ELEMENTS
(Licenced by Shadow rec N.Y) 2001
I'm hesitant to attach a "post" label to this unique hip-hop,
because post-anything gives a record a hipster reputation that it may or may not be deserving of.
But in the Gooster's case, these Elements are the just the exhumed resources needed to revitalize my faith in such experimentation.
A close relative to the stylings of France's DJ Cam.
Elements is an uptempo saga featuring all the heavy-hitters in the industry, hip-hop, funk, jazz, electro, dub.
"Shot "literally smokes your psyche with its Meat Beat Manifesto meets Miles meets HerbieHancock sound.
Cam even drops by for a visit on "The Greatest,"
a pitter-pattertrip-hop,sample-ridden number guaranteed
to get some heads bobbing.
But this might even be the David to every other track's Goliath
as cuts like "Double Trouble"and the choppy "BBMQ 2001"
provide more than enough muscle to support the record.
Forget "post"this or "experimental" that.
These Elements are just plain-old essential for your progression,
whether you're a listener or an aficionado.
Kiran Aditham/N.Y.URB Mag
For Buying Synchrovision records on line
please go :
www.myspace.com/synchrovisionrecords
Free Download:
http://synchrovisionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/goo-aka-le-gooster-elements
then click on the cds for the shop direct link
thanks