Jon Neher & Michael Scott Dawson/Swamp Thing
John Neher & Michael Scott Dawson
On Remembering // Soft Wired
On Remembering is the second instalment in a three album series by Regina’s John Neher (Beach Body, Oiseaux) and Michael Scott Dawson (Library Voices, Rom Dos). The first release, Nothing Is On Fire came out in January this year and received a lot of praise and a lot of playtime from college radio. So the pair, with only themselves to out-do, set out to record the next in the trilogy during the summer of the same year for a November 1st release on Dawson’s ambient/experimental label, Soft Wired.
The idea behind this album was to create something that heavily reflected their surroundings and emitted a summery feeling. With that in mind, the duo got to work in a makeshift studio in a sunroom at Dawson’s house, but little did they know that they would not be reflecting the summer sun at this time from this location. Instead, it rained for days and days and the persistent pouring seeped into the recordings like life-giving sustenance, trickling down into the earth. Inspiration flowed from Neher’s fingers as he improvised whole songs on piano in one take while Dawson added texture with recordings of rain, tape manipulations and synth. The resulting music is reflective in nature, causing the listener to cut to the heart of whatever is on their mind and has the ability to be perceived differently with repeated listens. This is the real beauty of On Remembering because nothing stays the same and we are constantly experiencing life in a new way, different than how we originally remember it.
- Jeshaiah David
Swamp Thing
Cherry Mongoose // Urbnet
Often written about, Swamp Thing's circannual rhythm of Halloween releases manages to deliver thirteen engaging, head snapping tracks (likely not an accident).
The trio of MC's bundle up in their distinctive delivery over a base of somewhat traditional east-coast Boom-Bap. I appreciate the frequent colorization by DJ iRATE. Jazz snippets, conversations, recreational drug references, pop culture references, and movie clips all serve to compartmentalize and punctuate the phrasing.
Having much of the lyrical delivery snapping over uptempo 90's style beats keeps the head bobbing. It honestly reminds me of much of what I listened to in my twenties. And that's not a bad thing. I dig the clean, uncluttered production. All the best flavors combine to hint at a smattering of The Herbaliser or Roots Manuva.
Nine albums later, you better be skilled at balance and bouncing off one another. I super dig the obvious punctuation. I found myself joining in. It's hip-hop's version of a chorus. I even caught my 16 year old banging her head in the truck a few times. If that isn't a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is.
- Drew Cox
