Basement Jaxx Shows Their Scars
Richie Adomako / October 09, 2009
Hailing from Brixton, Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe got their start as Basement Jaxx in 1994. While the duo may have gotten their start with UK chart-topper “Rendez Vu,” from their first album, Remedy, they are better known for their singles “Where’s Your Head At?” and “Do Your Thing” from their second album, Rooty (2001). In 2004, the group won the Best Electronic/Dance Album Grammy for Kish Kash. Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe can now add Scars to their list of marks. This revel of an album is beyond the group’s typical style, and more than delivers a satisfying listening experience. It is an eccentric collection of pure ingenuity and energy that accentuates the duo’s skills and attention to detail in sound and vocals.
The fifth studio album by the house duo, Scars features vocals by Kelis, Santigold, Yoko Ono, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Yo Majesty! and others. While the duo may be overshadowed by a myriad of featured artists, it may serve them well to have such a comprehensive album with a widespread of variety, style and flavor. In making an album around the styles of fourteen unique vocalists, Basement Jaxx creates the crowning touch for what is an a la carte of an album. While each track can hold-up on their own, the compilation shows their versatility and ability to create a feast of an album. It reflects a time of mash-ups and cultural pollination in a musical-period where the focus is no longer on the construction of the album but on sole tracks – (the reason DJs like David Guetta and Tiesto are moving towards albums and compilations with an array of vocalists).
The album is available now. Basement Jaxx is scheduled for a DJ set in New York City at Santo’s Party House on November 7th. Click through for a listen, recommended tracks and a track list. Also, check out their visually enthralling video for “Raindrops”.
Listening Session: Basement Jaxx feat. Santigold- “Saga”
Click here to download the track
Recommended Tracks: Raindrops, Saga – ft. Santigold, A Possibility – ft. Amp Fiddler, She’s No Good - ft. Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Day of the Sunflowers (We March On) - ft. Yoko Ono
Music Video: Basement Jaxx – Raindrops
Basement Jaxx – Scars Track List
01 Scars [ft. Kelis, Maleka, and Chipmunk]
02 Raindrops
03 She’s No Good [ft. Eli "Paperboy" Reed]
04 Saga [ft. Santigold]
05 Feelings Gone [ft. Sam Sparro]
06 My Turn [ft. Lightspeed Champion]
07 A Possibility [ft. Amp Fiddler]
08 Twerk [ft. Yo Majesty!]
09 Day of the Sunflowers (We March On) [ft. Yoko Ono]
10 What’s a Girl Gotta Do [ft. Paloma Faith]
11 Stay Close [ft. Lisa Kekaula]
12 D.I.S.tractionz [ft. Jose Hendrix]
13 Gimme Somethin’ True [ft. Jose James]
