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Review: Jack Foley
NOT heard of Budnubac? You might want to when you get a load
of this!
Budnubac is the brainchild of Robin Taylor-Firth, long time co-conspirator
with Nightmares on
Wax, and the brains behind Olive's seminal hit, You're
Not Alone. He also produced Baddest Ruffest, by Backyard
Dog.
In Budnubac guise, Taylor-Firth expertly blends Cuban, dub, salsa
and Latin sounds into a beautiful mix of funky cuts that, quite
literally, blow you away.
Together with Miguel Migueis, Rawle Bruce and vocalists, Sara
Garvey and Siobhan Gallagher, Budnubac have delivered an album
that's virtually guaranteed to ease you into a good mood - if
you can find it.
As with most trendy records such as these, it can be difficult
tracking them down in mainstream outlets - a fact which only makes
the discovery of such records all the more rewarding.
From the opening moments of the ultra-hip Buenas, featuring
some tantalising keyboards and a gradual beat, the track oozes
style, thanks to Taylor-Firth's guitars and Bruce's brilliant
bass.
The beat which kicks in at around the two-minute mark is pure
perfection, complimented brilliantly by the funky guitar riff
that precedes it. You'll be nodding along in appreciation.
The opening moments of Maria are pure Nightmares on
Wax in inspiration, before settling into a deliciously Latin/Cuban
vocal from Miguel Migueis that evokes memories of Havana.
While the upbeat percussion and keyboards of Eight are
given an excellent bedding by Enrico Marchesi's trumpet.
Sheffield-based Siobhan Gallagher lends her jazzy vocal style
to the urgent, dub-driven Don't Follow The Flag, which
sounds deliciously retro, while Nightmares vocalist, Garvey, makes
the soulful Indestructible play like a dream, complete
with well-realised flute and some truly magnetic keyboards.
Together, they give the funky I'm Gonna Follow a neatly
contrasting vocal style.
Elsewhere, the delightful flutes of Henrik Linnemann lend a playful,
upbeat vibe to Fluty Loops, while the party vibe of deepest,
darkest Cuba really kicks in on the trumpet-laden Quedate
Conmigo, which leads in nicely to the upbeat album closers,
Hey Senorita and Eleven.
If you can imagine the blissful cuts of Nightmares on Wax given
a Latin injection, complete with some of the funkiest beats and
melodies around, then this is the album for you.
Make absolutely sure you seek it out.
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