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IAN RUSHTON + FRIENDS: The Cybase Project II: Second Sight

Rushton is a UK-born, NZ-based keyboardist, guitarist, writer and arranger. Just last year I reviewed a solo album of his called 'Spring Will Come Again'. That was an instrumental album of Phil Coulter-esque piano music; relaxation music mingling with new-age, classical and folk-inspired pieces. This one is quite a different album from a restless artist - his sixth release and one of several planned for this year. The Cybase Project sees Rushton working with faceless collaborators - literally cutting and pasting songs together from backing tracks sent from all around the world. It's a bold project but inevitably falls over with the songs suffering a lack of cohesion and direction. The almost prog-rock arrangements sound too dated for my liking and the earnestness of the lyrics comes close to cringe-worthy. I think Rushton, and I said this in my review of his last record, needs to slow down. www.blacksandsmusic.co.nz o Simon Sweetman

The Mamaku (tall tree-fern) Project is an amalgamation of artists who bring South Pacific, French and Middle Eastern flavours to the table, marinate them in jazz and a dash of dub, and throw in a good dollop of beats. Not unlike many similar-minded projects like 'OE:Brazil', but with different influences, TMP is led by the vocal presence of Hollie Smith-alike Tui Mamaki, in combination with writing partner/co-producer Monsieur Escargot. Fusing sax, clarinet and accordion with turntables and beatbox, it's a sound that would've been unique a few short years ago, but now has a familiar feel to it. The French influence (complete with lyrics in places) makes for a point of difference, as do the klezmer touches, but the background is probably where this release is heading and I'm not sure that's a good thing. The second half is the stronger but ultimately music is all about mood, and the mood this album adopts sees it in direct competition with some hefty local releases for time on your stereo. The Pacific-styled artwork (courtesy of Mamaki) is inspired. Distribution by Rhythmethod.

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