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Leggo Beast - Thunk - Reviewed
Having previously produced three albums as one half of the Bullitnuts, and a couple more under his solo Leggo Beast moniker, Murray Clark serves up another welcome collection of beautifully crafted downtempo beats for his debut release on Big Chill Recordings.On his first album for over three years, Clarke keeps the mood unsurprisingly mellow, yet 'Thunk' is easily diverse enough in its execution to enthral and delight throughout.
A generous serving of heavy bass underpins most of the tunes, while the delicately layered soundscapes allow the proceedings to organically flow through chillout, funk and jazz while samples "found" in a Scanner-esque style drift in and out of the album's consciousness.
The proceedings open with 'Oxymoron', a mellow funky number that draws the listener straight into Murray's comfortable world. A looping double bass sits snugly alongside an understated fuzzy guitar jam before the beat gives way and the track drifts amiably towards its conclusion somewhere on a Mediterranean beach.
A jazzier feel is prevalent on 'Swanky Shovel', while elements of Moon Boots bring to mind 'Artificial Intelligence' style Warp-ness for a new generation. But this isn't a mere imitation of Clarke's influences - he's far too clever to let that happen.
Indeed there are nods towards a number of different artists throughout the album. There's a doff of the cap towards 'Doctor Rockitt' with a gloriously catchy piano line on 'Skanked', while an undercurrent of Irresistible Force is in evident on 'Smitten'; a slowburning sonic groove complete with dreamy vocals from Audrey Okyere Fosu.
'Sweetie Poo's haunting guitar melody is given an enhanced air of mystery with some more sampled phone conversations, before 'Easy Life' gently motions you back to a comfy chair with its airy organ reverb and soulful chanting.
The album draws to a close with a mellow 70s funk guitar line engulfing the skittish and sparse percussion of 'Let's Get Wet' before Clarke rounds things off with the Plaid sounding reflective mood of 'Marzipan Eyes'.
Unlike many albums of this ilk that ramble on far too long, 'Thunk' clocks in at well rounded 55 minutes. This gives each track far more prominence than on longer albums where their quality can become diminished by their length.
It's testament to Clarke's intimate production techniques that the album flows so well; nothing sounds rushed or incomplete. It's a carefully produced, intelligent collection of tracks that should mellow you out no matter your mood.
The Gaffer
Leggo Beast Q'n'A
Buy 'Thunk' here
Written: 21st Sep, 04
Read: 7084 times
