Album Review: Mark de Clive-Lowe - Tide's Arising (Abb)

Writer: Pablo Navarrete

Watching Mark de Clive Lowe (MdCL) perform an in-house showcase at Deal Real record shop in Soho, London last month reminded me of exactly why this New Zealand born pianist is held in such high regard by his musical peers and general music lovers alike. The man combines a serious command of his instrument with a obvious capacity for cutting edge musical creativity, and has evidently thrived in the musical melting pot that is London. In Tide´s Arising, his second album , MdCL stakes his claim as one of the most eloquent ambassadors of the UK´s broken beats scene.

But to straightjacket this album with one genre would be grossly unfair as Tide´s Arising showcases a number of styles and tempos whose common denomiator is best understood as deeply soulful. From the dreamy opener Masina´s World, dedicated to his son, MdCL moves to immediately challenge the dancefloor with the staccato broken beats of Slide, featuring serious UK vocal talent in the form of Bembe Segue and Lyric L. The album continues apace with more quality hi-tempo tracks (State of the Mental is a particular favourite) only to pause midway through when the tempo is taken down with the RnB-flavoured Quintessential. The crescendo is subsequetly built up using disparate styles such as jazz-funk and hip hop without ever threatening to lose coherence.

Tide´s Arising represents the next installment in MdCL´s ongoing musical journey; the result is top notch. Some top UK musical talent is given the chance to shine alongside keyboard wizz MdCL in a future soul classic. Let´s be very clear: MdCL is the real deal!

RELATED LINKS:
Mark de Clive-Lowe - our interview
Mark de Clive-Lowe - official site



Buy Tide's Arising at Amazon UK (CD / Vinyl) | US (CD)



PUBLISHED: 6 June 2005

RELEASE DATE: 4 April 2005 (UK) / 22 March 2005 (US)

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