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Artist - Unforscene Fingers And Thumbs is Unforscene's highly-anticipated first
album on Tru Thoughts. Rating - 10/10 Tracklisting
Title - Fingers and Thumbs LP
Label - Tru Thoughts
Released - 12.05.08
Posted 02.04.08
Unforscene have been key players in the thriving Bristol music scene for the
past decade and their previous releases have received support and acclaim from
some of the world's top music minds and producers, including Gilles Peterson,
Laurent Garnier, Jazzy Jeff and LTJ Bukem, and picked up
nominations for the Radio 1 Worldwide Awards.
In true Unforscene style "Fingers And Thumbs" ambitiously layers modern
and classical influences with their quality original beats and great choice of
collaborators, bound together by fantastic, flawless and innovative production.
Alice Russell, J Todd and Epcot, each bring their totally
unique talents to an eclectic and exciting mix. Encompassing hip-hop, jazz,
electronica, soul, and the occasional folk- and blues-inspired moment, this
double CD album will no-doubt take up its rightful place in the record
collections of many a music lover.
Formed 10 years ago by brothers Will and Benji Bower, and later
joined by Ben Muscat in 2003, Unforscene taps an amazingly rich mine of
musical creativity and experiences, from an exhaustive list of session work as
individuals, to their renowned theatre, film and TV composition work (Recent
projects include scores for high-profile shows on BBC1, BBC3 and Channel 4
amongst others). Their naturally powerful, cinematic quality comes to the fore
on instrumental tracks, such as the bluesy low fi of "68 On Third," the
epic modern-classical soundscape of "Sidewinder" and "The Journey," a
suspense-filled odyssey which evokes the feeling of a new surprise waiting
around every sonic corner.
The atmospheric undertone of "Belly Full Of Lead" is overlaid with
cleverly used textures evoking a growing sense of global disquiet, but also
raising the odd wry smile, and interwoven with lush sonic threads, from soaring
synth to tumbling waterfall keys. "See The Light featuring J Todd takes
things into a hazy electronic soul spin, with his distinctive, alluring style
taking centre stage., "Let It Ride" featuring Epcot (released as a single
in April to widespread acclaim) is hip hop that pricks up the ears with
flourishes of electronica, and typifies the Unforscene genre-hopping mastery
which makes immediately great records like this more satisfying with every spin.
"Alright", a laid-back acoustic song, with a folksy summer groove and
jazzy piano, takes things in yet another intriguing direction. Flashes of Will
Bower's inspired percussion recall his work as a session drummer/percussionist,
specialising in Latin, West African, Indian and Contemporary styles, for artists
such as Appliance, 100 Strong and other UK and international acts.
Unforscene's music encompasses cinematic funk, modern jazz, broken beats,
contemporary classical and acoustic sounds and they continue to use live
musicians, high end production and talent from around the world, ultimately to
keep music real.
Reviewer - PT
CD1
01. Belly Full Of Lead
02. See The Light ft. J Todd
03. Don't You Worry ft. Alice Russell
04. 68 On Third
05. Sidewinder
06. So Long ft. Nik Young
07. This Is London
08. Tango In Dub
09. Scene 5
10. I'm Just A Prisoner
11. Unbroken ft. Deborah Jordan
12. The Journey
CD2
01. Dangerous ft. Phil King
02. In Pursuit Of
03. Do It ft. Alice Russell
04. Miracle ft. The Big Hit Unit
05. Fkovski
06. Let It Ride ft. Epcot
07. Alright
08. Dirty And Dark
09. So Fine ft. J Todd
