When mentioned in the same sentence, the words 'DJ' and 'side project' usually set alarm bells ringing. The words 'ego', 'excessive' and 'vanity project' usually follow. Creating music may appear a piece of piss when you're mixing a few records together but only a precious few emerge from the decks with their reputation intact.
David Holmes is one of those few. In fact, it's his work away from the decks that his reputation has been built on. Whether providing soundtracks for the likes of 'Out Of Sight', or producing Primal Scream's more inspired recent moments, or making one of the best LP's of 2000 - the sprawling genius of 'Bow Down To The Exit Sign' - he has proved himself the renaissance artist par excellence. So, when the obscure funk records seemed to be drying up for his recent 'Come Get It, I Got It' compilation he did what only Holmes would do - in a Victor Kiam-like moment, he formed a band.
Ladies and Gentlemen we give you…The Free Association.
Live, as on record, the seven-piece band pick up where 'Exit Sign' left off, retaining the swampy punked-up sound but applying a coating of infectiously repetitious funk. They frequently sound like Can jamming with The Last Poets and fully live up to Holmes' intention of resurrecting the spirit of Donald Cammell's 'Performance'. The DJ remains a peripheral figure throughout - a musical catalyst, not the focus - while his two vocalists, Sean Revron and Petra Jean Philipson take centre stage. Revron, all dreadlocks and nervous rap energy, sets the scene for Philipson's soaring voice. Together they blow-up a storm last seen when Justin Wharfield snorted 'Bug Powder Dust' with The Chemical Brothers.
Switching from free jazz NYC workshop mode to gospel soul elevation in the space of the same song, the crowd are soon leaping along with Revron. Ideas collide in mid-air and magic ensues. 'Pushin A Broom' and 'Don't Rhyme No Mo' are particularly memorable while the elongated cover of Nina Simone's 'Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter' is bent, twisted and beautiful.
That this could have been an ambitious mess is testament to all involved, and you leave wishing that all DJs had Holmes' sense of adventure and risk. (Then you think what Judge Jules might do and you wish again). The Free Association are a triumph and a revelation. High-Fives and backslaps all round. A proper gig.
