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This collection is impressive. I am going to start with that succinct phrase to stop myself launching into superfluous superlatives about this man’s work. Phil Ransom has been an integral part of the Melbourne ‘scene’ for over 15 years, an unassuming one at that, so I’m told.
The release is divided into two sections of sorts – ‘Pre-Op’ and ‘Post-Op’. They’re essentially designed to be pre-party/ post- party mixes, CD one travelling from hip-hop, to nu-skool breaks and into smooth drum and bass. Part two of this musical odyssey draws us into more soulful, funky territory – equally as tasty for a lazy Summer’s afternoon as for a post-party wind down.
Its quite obvious that Phil likes music with depth and intelligence, and his skills on the turntable only serve to further enhance what are already some beautiful sounds. Unlike many mix CDs which are quite obviously mixed by a computer, this mix is organic in nature. While not perfect, it feels a lot nicer knowing that all that scratching and sampling is coming from someone, not something.
Part one slides into some funky hip-hop, with contributions from the man himself in “Hobson”, and Idiot Proof “B-Boy Contortionist”. We then move into tracks by Recloose “Get There Tonight”, minimal electronic funk in Ransom and Echoic’s “7 of 9” and the track I’ve never heard anyone diss – “Doom’s Night” (Timo Maas remix naturally). To say that this lil’ track has been somewhat done to death this year is an understatement, however in the right hands (like Mr Ransom’s) it’s an apt inclusion. After grinding through some nasty tech breaks (a few Rennie Pilgrem remixes, some Nu Breed) the CD slides into laidback drum and bass, my personal pick being Fellowship’s “Coming On Strong”.
CD number two is a beast of an entirely diffent nature. From, dare I say it, rather eclectic beginnings it features contributions from artists as diverse as Basement Jaxx, Saint Etienne, Ku-Ling Bros and The Avalanches. Vibes Headlines Faze Action provide what I think is one of the album’s most sublime moments in “Moving Cities” – uplifting, subtle string arrangements which put so many to shame.
The physics of freestyle it certainly is – Ransom shows us just how much territory he has covered musically in the past decade or so, artfully combining what are obviously sounds he feels quite passionately about.
Yes this is a tad self-indulgent here, but hey, its Summer, the weather is glorious, life is good… and this CD is something special.
BUY: Physics of Freestyle from ChaosMusic.com
