Album Review: Flowriders - Starcraft (4 Lux / Creative Vibes)

Writer: Damian Platt

Starcraft by Flowriders is a feelgood album that has plenty to offer the fan of broken jazz and smooth soul. Excuse the rush of adjectives, but the sleeve notes describe their music as strong, subtle, crystal clear, warm, uplifting, sincere and well-paced (...phew...) and it's fair to say that it's all of these.

Flowriders are a group of accomplished and established Dutch musicians: a strong rhythmn section, horns - the album includes some tearing flute outings - and a tasty vocal group, who together with guests such as Marilyn David (Shade of Soul) offer up a selection of fine tracks, 16 of them in all. The sound - which feels strongly influenced by the likes of Fertile Ground and 4 Hero - takes the listener on a journey to gentle, soothing spaces. The beats chop, the tempo picks up and slows down throughout the album without ever losing a summery, positive outlook.

Despite this consistency it must be said that The Flowrider's style is well versatile: tracks like Roots Go Deep sound very RnB-mellow (caveat: nearing the slush zone!), one or two have a more traditional jazz-funk feel, while Interlude and opening track Soul Searching are characterised by an infectious and melodic bruk step roll. If this sounds like your cup of herbal then make sure to check it out - you'll find it's got several cuts, such as the warm and stirring Macy Miles, that will no doubt feature prominently on your summer 2005 playlist.

RELATED LINKS:
Flowriders - official site
4 Lux - label home to Flowriders




Buy Starcraft at Amazon UK (CD)


PUBLISHED: 6 June 2005

RELEASE DATE: 16 May 2005 (UK)

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