Bristolian Scott Edward, aka Uriel, releases his second album for Beau Monde.
Uriel first appeared on the scene as an early Nineties techno artist and was quickly recognised by DJs such as Andrew Weatherall. Since then he has delved into dance music roots, applying the quirkiness of techno production to disco, funk and jazz motives.
The result is a deep, warm vibe that tingles with production details. Paris meets Chicago and Detroit via London and Bristol.
Opening with the superbly pure funk of 'Don't Shut Me Out' the set drops to a deep disco groove on 'We Like The Music'. 'Koko' moves into broken funk Moody Man territory before finding its pace as a delightful mid paced groove backed by an extravagantly simple clipped bass line.
In 'Only What Is' the mood shifts further towards jazz, with drum patterns playing across each other, while a chopped vocal samples lock down the rhythm and keys meander playfully over laid back confusion.
'The Money Process' adds a percussive element while 'Room Full of Mirrors' is both plaintive and depth charged with a dirty bass end funk.
'The Cougar' mixes jazz, funk and electronica in equal proportion, the somewhat noodley 'Sideways' takes a Gong hippy funk tack while Two Thirty Point Four re-asserts the funk.
Even the incidental tracks, such as 'Intonations', are internally coherent.
A sublime album that really does create a Beau Monde.
