Moors + Christians

Moors + Christians

Track Listings

1. Wari Wah

2. Survivor

3. Los Locos Inglis

4. Crystal Ball

5. Movin' On

6. Choco Blanco

7. Snipers

8. Amala Eh

9. Sunshine Moonshine

10. Lovesensi

Tracks:

Wari Wah
Survivor
Los Locos Inglis
Crystal Ball
Movin' On
Choco Blanco
Snipers
Amala Eh
Sunshine Moonshine
Lovesensi

Customer Reviews:

Much more of a Cuban/Caribbean influence than, previously.......2004-06-16

Admittedly this is my first foray into the world of 'James Hardway', and had I sampled his innovative fusion of Jazz-House, Afro-Beat, and lounge jazz, Investigations regarding his music would have been made far sooner. The lush Afro-cuban opening "Wari Wah" is a fantastically peculiar start with luscious organ and vibrant percussion and a Afro-soul vocal that feels generally innovative. "Los Locos Inglis" is a superb instrumental track that recalls the live percussion of tribalist beats with offbeat bass, and atmospheric sampling, this makes for an interesting diversion and has the double effect of being a most welcome break from the majority of vocal tracks featured here.

"Moving on" tackles a remarkable fusion of unrelated styles, by bringing in bassists & Drummers that produce an almost percussionist Cuban groove, that exudes a slow almost organic feel, and mixes things up by having a female ragga vocalist "Lisa Dainjah" who expertly toasts over the top, it's a slightly unusual sound, that's for sure, but it unquestionably works and deserves to be singled out as one of a great many highlights on this album. In fact, if more people were willing to take these creative chances, then complaints of no real innovation or boundary pushing in music, would be a moot point.

James Hardways pervious albums had an element that touched upon intelligent drum'n'bass and breakbeat, and it's with a little disappointment that this album features little in the way of experimentive breakbeats that sporadically featured in previous releases, and having listened to an mp3 of one of these aforementioned tracks, it is a shame that this wasn't continued for this release. But what is in place more than justifies any exclusion of intelligent Drum'n'Bass tracks, and if truth be told, this new approach feels likely to have more Longevity, than the beat orientated tracks of old. Instead by focusing the attention and ploughing the ideas & arrangements of Dub, Electronica, Jazz-house and a fusion of afrocentric jazz textures, he constructs a superbly realised album that takes a multitude of musical genres and makes a freewheeling, eclectic showcasing of sounds that feels like a multicultural musical festival.

But, Not everyone will appreciate what Mr Hardway is trying to do here, as the predominately Cuban/Caribbean referencing & slightly leftfield approach may disappoint some. But those that look for something a little different in their music, or just like listening to music that's a little challenging, this is a truly worthy album that deserves a wider audience, and irrespective of the lack of Intelligent breakbeat that shaped his earlier albums, this is a supremely confident album of some distinction.

A DIFFERENT HARDWAY!!!.......2003-12-11

So you thought James Hardway was only into jazzy D&B, huh? Naah, this cat can do it all as evidenced on "Moors and Christians". Ole James is just as skilled at performing dub and reggae as he is at electronica. At first, I was thrown off by the sound of "Moors and Christians" because I was used to the frenetic and infectious D&B of "Easy is a Four Letter Word", "Deeper, Wider, Smoother $#!^" and "A Positive Sweat". But in the end, I grew to like it and appreciated James Hardway for showing his fans that he's good at Carribean/Afro Rhythms too. So, if you're a James Hardway fan like I am, get "Moors and Christians"...play it a few times (on a good sound system, of course)...and open your mind to a whole new experience and sound from him! Besides you can't expect the man to come out sounding the same all the time, can you?

Reggae and dub equal electronic brilliance.......2002-04-09

Deftly combining electronica with rootsy vibes and interesting vocals Hardway has hit the jackpot with this perfect surprise of an album.Lucky this work has an unusual cover or it may have slipped past into the don't know don't care basket.Apart from the track "Snipers" this took me on a journey through Afro cuban dance via London and Jamaica that I was more than happy to go on.If you enjoy the work of Faze Action or Francesco Mora Catlett this will please your ear.

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