Cobblestone Jazz - 23 Seconds

A whopping triple LP outing for the Candian jazz/techno fusionists Cobblestone Jazz, which for the uninitiated, comprises Mathew Jonson, Danuel Tate and Tyger Dhula. Traditionally, Tate's keyboard work has given Cobblestone Jazz a distinctive live feel, but launching into the opening title track here there's no real evidence of that, instead everything has more of a programmed sound to it, albeit with a lively, analogue warmth. Elements of Rhodes and smooth chord changes start to appear in 'Slap The Back', and on the next side 'PBD (LP Edit)' features a bit of soloing, but the overall feel is one of silky movements within a fairly fastened-down techno framework. 'Hived Touch' is far more interesting, exhibiting some big bass and substantial, muffled beat production, yet this sort of minimalism is abandoned altogether for 'Lime In Da Coconut' which marks a departure for sunnier, more playful sounds. Even the beat seems to have a spring in its step. More overtly jazzy numbers crop up towards the end of the album, with the vocoder funk of 'W (LP Edit)' standing out in particular. Cobblestone Jazz have clearly honed and streamlined their approach to music-making since their debut 12" five years ago, and as a result the potentially quite jarring elements of live instrumentation and programmed electronics sound as though they've reached a natural balance on 23 Seconds.


Part 1
Part 2