Jazzhole: Blackburst

Jazzhole gives the wild, experimental feel of acid jazz an explosive street beat on Blackburst (Beave Music BMCD 2001; 61:09). The duo of passionate vocalist Marlon Sanders and keyboardist-producer Warren Rosenstein aggressively pursues urban nightmare and vision through critical details, from the loopy club beat of “Pillow Talk” to the disco-fied synth strings and meaty percussion weave threading through “Dancing in My Head.” The duo’s best work tells a story: for example, “What Kind of Love?” finds aggressive hip-bop percussion building and ramping up to Sanders’ soul-searing vocal, giving the effect of a desperate street saga. Likewise, “4d” builds on a buzzing, busy background populated with light keyboards and horn atmosphere to capture a vivid urban feel. Listeners be warned, however, as texture and atmosphere is at the heart of Blackburst, giving many of the pieces here a musing, abstract feel rather than an ordinary concrete song structure.

Originally Published June 1, 2000