- See all the Ratings
- Add my Rating now
One of the greatest pleasures in reviewing music is finding something fresh and new that really blows your mind. For this reason, Kutiman’s ‘Music Is Ruling My World’ is the stand-out album I’ve reviewed thus far for 2007; and it’s going to take some beating. Big words, I know – but ‘Music Is Ruling My World’ delivers.
Ophir “Kutiman” hails from Tel Aviv, but the sounds collected on this fine mix of phat grooves suggest he hails from an entirely different place and time. Musically, the guy is a freak, with skills in composition, production, drums, keyboards, guitar and bass. He played, arranged and produced most of this album himself. ‘Bango Fields’ is all acid jazz; think Jamiroquai and other lush sounds coming out of London in the mid 90s. The half-time changes and beat pauses give it soul, removing any notion of formula, really grabbing your attention early on.
‘No Reason For You’ (definitely the fave on the CD) has a massive sound. Think funk and dirty bass delivered Lenny Kravitz style, with huge wailing horns that ooze booty-shakin melodies. What I would give to hear this through a mega system on steroids! That riff is just awesome. I’ve freaked a few people out at traffic lights soaking this one up in the car. Moving to ‘Take A Minute’, and it’s all cruisy beats in a summer style; silky background tunes resplendent with atmospheric sounds from the seaside. It’s Brighton in the UK circa the late 1950s; cruisy laid back jazz.
Then, it’s back to the US for ‘No Groove Where I Come From’, which in another life was surely meant for a James Brown set list. That’s until it goes all acid jazz and the sound gets even bigger. Kutiman clearly loves the big soundscape, and he does it nicely. ‘I Just Wanna Make Love To You’ is the kinda track you’ll end up hearing on a classic Ministry of Sound chill-out compilation. It’s pretty with great production, thankfully not too sterile. Then you launch into ‘Chaser’, and it’s back to James Brown kinda sounds, with more of the acid jazz treatment.
If you Kutiman hasn’t impressed you enough just yet, then the Motown treatment of ‘Escape Route’ will have you convinced, once again delivering a delectable bass. ‘Trumpet Woman’ has more of a live jazz feel, with plenty of trumpet that wouldn’t seem out of place in a smoky club. Then, just as it’s nearly over, ‘Music Is Ruling My World’ comes in with another killer riff. I was sold already before now, so this was just bonus.
Without a doubt, this is a must listen CD. It’s hard to imagine any avid music lover would fail to get their value for money with the sounds that Kutiman pumps out. It’s an engaging and wonderfully produced effort, devoid of filler. Take note; Kutiman is an artist who will one day rival the greats – got on board early so you can tell your kids you got into Kutiman before he got big!
