We have Shackle’s Gift, a multilingual, experimental freakout of fusion, funk and free jazz that draws influences from every corner of the world (both physical and musical) and reforms them as solid, sedimentary rocks of pop music.
I really wanted to like this record, particularly after my ears so enjoyed the Talking Heads-esque chorus to African Tree, but something about it just puts me off. The album sounds great (Andrew Hung of Fuck Buttons infamy handled production duties and his work with the low-end is awesome) and there's an undeniable energy; however, the vocals are just too obnoxious, self-important and cock-posturingly rocky for my liking - like Robert Plant at carnaval. With his penis out. Whilst the ... read more
A welcome surprise in early 2015. This amorphous, energic and vibrant but still enigmatic record sounds like an unstoppable earthquake, as the band seems eager to explore unnusual ideas in one song after another. Zun Zun Egui brings to Shackles' Gift the energy and virtuousness of bands like The Mars Volta with the tingling rythmic darkness of this year's Mbongwana Star with very incisive results. Rigid Man and African Tree incorporate african drumming and rythms while Ruby and I Want You to ... read more
1 | Rigid Man 5:22 | |
2 | African Tree 3:39 | |
3 | Ruby 3:20 | |
4 | I Want You to Know 6:19 | |
5 | Soul Scratch 5:05 | |
6 | Tickle the Line 2:57 | |
7 | The Sweetest Part of Life 4:06 | |
8 | Late Bloomer 5:54 | |
9 | City Thunder 6:11 |