OTHER LANDS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Patrick Gibin has signed some terrific records to his Mother Tongue label, so it's no surprise to discover that the Italian imprint's first "45" is a bona fide stunner. It sees sometime Gustosa producer Gary Superfly join forces with Other Lands (AKA Gavin Sunderland, previously best known for his work as Fudge Fingaz) to offer up the kind of sumptuously warm, languid, loose, toasty and organic fare that can't quite decide whether it wants to be jazz-funk, modern boogie or especially hazy deep house. A-side "Endless" is particularly potent, with waves of kaleidoscopic synth sounds and twinkling Rhodes solos relaxing over a chunky bassline and head-nodding drums, though toastier and hazier flipside "Purple" is almost as good.

Review: Given their shared musical heritage - both are members of the extended Firecracker Recordings crew - it's perhaps something of a surprise to find that Face The Facts marks the first serious collaboration between Linkwood and Gav 'Fudge Fingaz' Sutherland AKA Other Lands. It's less surprising that the album is really, really good. Touching on warming synth-boogie, head-nodding downtempo jams, mutant beatdown, Balearic beats, sunset-ready soundscapes and warming analogue deep house, the 13-track set is notable for the pair's extensive use of dusty old drum machines, tactile instrumentation (think smooth Rhodes solos, languid guitar solos and blissed-out synths) and Sutherland's hazy, sometimes seductive singing voice.

Review: This second Yellow Jackets double A sider feautures Chicago's royalty Ron Trent and the extra talented multi instrumentalist Other Lands. Again one track per side and full powerful cutting to maximize the sound impact in pure YJ philosophy. Ron Trent 'The Medi' was actully constructed while riding trains and in hotel rooms through Italy, used as a secret weapon in special occasions...and we can hear why: a mind expanding suite that keeps evolving and going in places and spaces while constantly beating you hard! On the Flipside Other Lands brings things down to more abstract realms with the floating almost Kraut inspired jam 'Matter'.A very special release and a hint of what Yellow Jackets has in store for us in the near future...