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Loopus in Fabula - Fat ladies Bingo (Fabula, 2006) CD
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rich
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
103
Posts :
2184
Posted : May 3, 2006 23:10
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(Kind of OT but not really cos I love what I've heard of this release...)
Help me please! I'm playing a party in less than two weeks and need this CD!! Saikosounds is out of stock and I don't want to take a chance with the others not shipping to me in time (US). Any other reliable sources I can order from?
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furthur
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
45
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1383
Posted : May 5, 2006 10:49
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Loopus in Fabula – Fat Ladies Bingo
Label: Fabularecords FABCD03
Date: April 2006
Track listing:
01. 07’27” Doofy Duck (feat. Ritchie Mantrix) [140 bpm]
02. 08’18” Controversy [142 bpm]
03. 08’52” Dreamschwartz (rmx for Visnudata) [142 bpm]
04. 08’05” YSD [140 bpm]
05. 08’23” Fat Old Ladies (feat. Paul Kearney) [136 bpm]
06. 08’22” Funky Express [138 bpm]
07. 07’08” Feel Again [136 bpm]
08. 07’31” Rockit [135 bpm]
09. 07’37” Lets Dance [134 bpm]
Review:
I have always been a big fan of unusual funky trance, while not being a big connaisseur of it. I remember digging the first Loopus album, but not being blown away by it. It is the recent compilation Ultrapop that put loopus and the label in the spotlight for me. So, needless to say, I was looking forward to this while having absolutely no idea what to expect.
Also, I have read that this CD makes heavy use of covers of eighties songs, which I was not sure what to make of, since I personally find that the eighties are one of the worst decades musically. The upside is that I am not overly familiar with the originals these are covers of, so cannot be influenced by preexisting likes or dislikes.
Well, let’s go for a track by track overview.
1. First thing that hits us is a funk riff with a beat not lagging far behind. Blow instruments of some kind (trumpets?) make their appearance as well, all making for some very fun listening as the album kicks off. Reminds me of the circus for some reason, but with the clowns wearing serious expressions on their faces. The layers definitely take their time to develop, which I am usually a fan of, giving one’s ears time to get used to the music. By the 3rd minute mark, it has certainly picked up already, and the feet cannot be stopped from tapping. The break at 4 minutes is strange, but when the beat comes back in, it is impossible not to smile, especially with that ribbit ribbit screaming going on. Even the sample admits that the track is “hoho, very funny”. Basically, this is a great song to dance to, lots of fun, very light. This is a musician not taking himself very seriously.
2. Right off the bat, this has more psychedelia going for it. And some great guitar to boot, without forgetting the lewd (?) lyrics. Once again, we are treated to a “progressive” piece, in the sense that there is a very visible progression in the evolution of the track, maybe even a bit to slow of an evolution, because I cannot wait for an explosion to occur. I guess it will be worth the wait. If Finland became techy all of a sudden, and started drinking less, this would be the result I guess. All in all, this is not so great imo, I like the melodies and instruments surrounding the main beat, but I think that that beat wants too much attention, and it is not all that interesting, and a bit monotone. The overall intensity of the piece could use more variation too. I fear this might become a track to skip once in a while as the album is playing.
3. A hypnotic breakbeatsy atmosphere greets us at the beginning here, with a strong trance bassline showing up soon enough though. This would be a perfect car chase soundtrack, with little mishaps going on during the chase. Definitely the heaviest track on this album, maybe due to the fact that it was not originally written by Loopus. Almost like a slowed down very early “dark” trance piece, but without that in-your-face forced feeling. This one is not so great for home listening either, but I am sure that dropped at the right time, it would cause havoc on the dancefloor, and driving to it was a shitload of fun too, just make sure you’re wearing your seatbelt. Definitely more varied than the previous one too as far as I am concerned.
4. Wow, almost had to check that this was loopus indeed and not an early 21st century Digital Structures record. Starts off very minimal; me likey. Very cool, bigwigesque. This is a track that some might hate, and others will dig like hell. So far, I have found myself in the latter category. Finally, it feels like loopus is exploring his potential to create funky, fun, and yet still very interesting music. The last 2 minutes especially cannot help but make the whole dancefloor smile from ear to ear. Great.
5. Let me start by saying that this is certainly my favourite track of the album. Very original. Here, a bingo hall is quickly transformed into a chaotic disco. Lots of weird sounds that seem like they might be out of place, but I feel that they are all perfectly placed right where needed. The bassline keeps one on one’s toes throughout the duration. Those funky guitar riffs add a lot of flavour. And when by the end of the third minute, that driving relentless beat starts up, butt is a-shaking. This is pump-yo-fist-in-the-air music, whether yoyr fist be organic or mechanical. This is that noontime track I was looking for to complement sunshine and psychedelic substances. The fact that there are so many breaks only adds to the excitement for me. Not perfect, but damn close.
6. We are back to minimal psychedelic trance in funky express. Obviously layers are continually added, and the funk is built onto the minimal structure piece by piece. I appreciate what loopus tried to create here, but fear that it has been done better. This is either very complex or simply boring, only a couple of years will tell. Actually, for the most part, I would not even call this very funky, apart from the annoying “funky disco” sample.
7. woohoo, liftoff. Another driving track. A bit more madness here than most of the rest of the album. Now, this is funk. As you can see, the potential of this piece here has reduced me to a babbling three-word sentence monkey. I love it. Extremely mind-altering music with lots of early psychedelia influences (maybe it’s just me, but I feel a slight dose of jefferson airplane going disco here), just electronica style. Groovy, baby, yeah. This would work great on any dancefloor imho. Another really fun, dancefloor oriented track.
8. Hmm, is that the sound of Milan’s traffic? Well, we are not left wondering for a long time, as those sounds are overtaken by more digital ones. This is one of the slowest pieces on the album, but it feels harder than a lot of the others. Lots of crashing pots and pans over the bassline, one that stays diverse enough throughout the whole track. It also has a very distinctive goa feel to it. This is pretty creative, but I think it is just a bit too creative, should have kept it simpler. This will probably not work on the dancefloor, as it has that vibe-breaking potential, taking people out of their trance. Nor is this really homelistening material either. This could have been something very good with loads of variety, influences from pretty much everything, but once again, I think it is overdone. Still enjoyable though.
9. This is another one of my favourites here. What I consider the most intelligent track here. Love that sinthy feel. Best part of the eighties, warped into the third millenium. Yes, sometimes, there are noises that somewhat random and could have been avoided, but I am too much of a fan of simplicity. Now, I do not know that Bowie song all that well, but I am sure I have heard it before, and I see no evident resemblance. Not that much to say here, great calm groovy even sexy song. My style. Let’s dance.
So, is this what I expected of this album? No. Is it better or worse? Well, it is different. It is very good. Very original. The first listen had me extremely excited and almost jumping out of my seat on the bus. I have to admit that after about 2 weeks of listening to it, I have grown a bit blaze to it. Either, I have listened to it too much, or it might not age that gracefully.
Does loopus reinvent the wheel here? No. Does he take elements that almost noone else uses? Yes.
This is not an essential psytrance buy. Only if you are a fan of this specific genre. But then again, there are what, 5 albums a decade in this specific genre?
Also, I would say that the album is not that consistent. Yes, there are some corkers, like 5 and 9, and some other extremely enjoyable songs. But I feel that there are some letdowns as well; 2 and 6 come to mind right away.
The flow is mostly very good, but this is far from a concept album. Tracks that fit very well with each other, but there is not really a story told here. Not that I think there is supposed to be one.
Basically, if you’re looking for deep emotional music, this is not for you.
If you are looking for fun, fun, and more fun, without any pretentiousness, and with a considerable amount of originality, this is for you.
Oh yeah, the artwork. All I have to say is “Fear and Loathing in Arizona”.
7.7 overall
 Load Universe into Cannon. Aim at Brain. Fire.
www.ganesha.ca |
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moses
Moses / Loopiter / Bufo
Started Topics :
25
Posts :
239
Posted : May 5, 2006 13:02
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TweekerD
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
125
Posted : May 8, 2006 18:01
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Go Disco Crazy!!!
 )))))
"We just got that Volcano lit...
...Gee, I thought Tarzan was set in Africa!"
- 1979 Flashdance, Haltya |
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rich
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
103
Posts :
2184
Posted : May 8, 2006 23:43
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Mr.Stropa is maturing his sound with every release. I love this one more than the last one, and I loved that!
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gandharva
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
338
Posted : May 12, 2006 01:12
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crazyyyyyy......
dont worry be hippie |
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sagiv
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
26
Posts :
150
Posted : May 12, 2006 23:27
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one of the fresh cd that i hearing at this days.
realy good one.
peace & love.
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Basilisk
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
168
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2984
Posted : May 16, 2006 04:03
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Loopus in Fabula is back with another fat and funky album loaded with delightfully odd grooves and plenty of retro flavour. Fat Ladies Bingo features Matteo Stroppa from Milano, Italy, collaborating with artists from Australia and Finland, as well as his old partner Jacopo Barbaccia. The Loopus style is completely original; an uncommon blend of jazz, funk, electro, trance, and numerous other styles of music both electronic and traditional. The term “funkadelic” comes up to describe this unique style concisely. Matteo often pays tribute to dance music classics by forging something between a cover version and an outright remix. By reconstructing the themes and rhythms of the oldies, Loopus creates genuinely new interpretations perfectly suited for the modern dance floor. In some instances, it isn’t even this complicated; several songs feature nothing more than slight hints and impressions of retro tunes. For the DJs out there, some of these tunes might mix well with selected offerings from Haltya, Kiwa, Eat Static, Sensient, Decoy, and B.L.T. The cover is certainly eye-catching, and will surely communicate another important point to you: here is an artist with a sense of humour. Prepare yourself for close to 72 minutes of groovy tunes!
Doofy Duck opens the album with funky guitar riffs and a casual rhythm accentuated by mild tribal textures. The strange synthwork in the early half of the song actually begins to sound like a duck quacking; clearly this is a themed track! Some amusing samples from Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck provide a bit of comic relief later on - “ho ho very funny.” A light dash of horn strikes and wiggly synthetic leads in the final minutes tops it off. This starter is an easy introduction to the Loopus style, exhibiting good humour.
I’m told Controversy takes a hint from an old Prince song by the same name, but I am unfamiliar with the original. Very early on, the pulsating bass and snappy percussion creates a steady technical groove. Warped and filtered horns and funky guitar are once again in use, although they are more infrequently used at first. The story gets quite sleazy in the last third, finally amassing a substantial atmosphere. I am not too fond of the gratuitous key change near the end, but this track still has a quaint charm.
The Dreamschwartz remix is a throbbing Loopus-style techtrance work-out similar in some ways to The Chase (from Ultrapop). Luckily this is much less monotonous; the wild bass line remains prone to drastic mutations. The drum programming on this track is quite intricate in places, operating on multiple levels with a natural flow. Haunting flourishes and oddly evocative noises slather this piece in an alluring psychedelic mystique. The seamless transitions beyond disparate moods is handled with great skill. Nice one.
YSD is a down and dirty groover that shows the maturation of the Loopus style. While it initially begins on a funky minimal tip, the progression carries this story into playful jazzy territory. The smooth and classy breakdowns slice the track into three distinct chapters, each remaining faithful to the overall story while expressing a fresh perspective. What’s not to like?
Fat Old Ladies reverts to proven dance music archetypes embodies by disco and electro. The bingo caller rattles out some mish-mash of words, and then the track begins to wiggle around, slathered in abstract noises and punctuated by strange twists. It seems to drone on for long sequences, adorned by a grinding bass line and some scattered noise patterns. Retro video game sounds (Pac-Man?) spring up every now and then, and apparently there is some Duran Duran in here somewhere. This is a bit too esoteric and unfocused for me, but it will no doubt have its fans.
Funky Express is a particularly original sonic narcotic. A simple bass line and plain percussion leaves the rhythm to work on one’s feet while an inventive assortment of strange atmospheric sounds tickle the neurons. The specific feel of this track is hard to describe; the best I can come up with is that it sounds like some kind of synthetic space jazz. The results are much more richly psychedelic than most of the tracks on the album, and I find I really enjoy it, even if I’m not too sure what to make of it. I sense that Funky Express is the kind of track that will grow on me, like a fungus.
Feel Again is the first of three tributes to influential dance music classics. This one is based on the Giorgio Moroder production of Donna Summers - I Feel Love (1977), which was apparently the first hit song with an entirely synthesized backing track. There isn’t much to it aside from a hollow retro-sounding electro bass line and some subtle noise games in the background. There is structure here, although the energy levels are largely controlled by what that simple bass line is up to - whether it is trumped up a key, or spilling out into mid-range synthetic riffs, or however it goes. I find it a bit dull, but perhaps if I knew the original I would enjoy this more.
Rockit is a cheerful interpretation of Herbie Hancock’s 1983 hit single of the same name, which also has a great deal of history behind it. As one of the most successful early songs to feature DJ techniques such as scratching, it became an inspiration for the development of hip-hop culture. The Loopus tribute stays true to the soul of the original, playing with percussion loops and plenty of charming samples to keep the beats flowing. Light-hearted synths stab through the air, maintaining a playful and upbeat atmosphere. Deep into the track the rhythm drops into an old school breakbeat pattern for close to a minute and a half. Time to rock out! The return is a real crowd-pleaser, and then it all goes quaint and cheeky. This is a great tribute!
Let’s Dance! David Bowie’s break-out hit from 1983 gets a respectful treatment to close this Fabula creation. After Blanka’s poor mangling I had been hoping someone with real talent would take this on, and Matteo and Jacopo are the right men for the task! The bass line immediately goes to work, and the bold and funky percussion is just right. Many elements from the original are entirely resequenced, while others are filtered and manipulated to fit. Loopus have tastefully avoided being too overt with the lyrics, mainly focusing the words “dance the blues” rather than any full chorus. A few wild psychedelic noises manage to squirrel their way into the mix, and the 80s style synth stabs sound great alongside the newer sounds. The last minute build-up is a nice touch, capping an already excellent tune. This commendable tribute is the favourite of the album for me.
Fat Ladies Bingo is a great improvement on 2003’s Astrofunk. This album features greater diversity, a little less minimalism, better production value, and some great tributes to classic dance music. Matteo’s skills have matured over the last few years, and evidence of this is readily heard all across the album. Correlating my favourites with the credits reveals that I tend to prefer collaborations with Jacopo, so I would suggest that this partnership is continued. Loopus definatly have an original spin on the concept of funky psytrance, and an album like this doesn’t come along very often, so all fans of funky progressive music should definatly check it out! Let’s dance!
Favourites: 3, 4, 6, 8, 9(!)
Rating: 7
Taken from: http://www.ektoplazm.com/reviews/loopus-in-fabula-fat-ladies-bingo/
More reviews at: http://www.ektoplazm.com/reviews/
P.S. don't miss Loopus in Fabula playing at the Samadhi festival in Quebec this Labour day weekend! |
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pr0fane
Multiphase
Started Topics :
418
Posts :
3816
Posted : May 20, 2006 13:59
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Artist: Loopus In Fabula
Title: Fat Ladies Bingo
Label: Fabula Records
Format: CD
Released: April, 2006
Cover: http://217.160.138.169/pic_b/fab1cd003_b.jpg
Review:
Loopus In Fabula is undoubtedly one of the most well-known acts in the more funky direction of psytrance, and so far with 3 full-length albums in their discography. Behind the name we find the two guys from Italy's capital for fashion, Milan, Matteo Stroppa and Jacopo Barbaccia. Their first album, "Loopus In Fabula" was released on Australia's consistently psychedelic label Demon Tea, and their 2nd album, "Astrofunk" was released on their own label, Fabula Records.
Personally I've never been a loyal follower of their music, and I haven't heard any of their albums, so when I received the promo of their new album, "Fat Ladies Bingo" I approached it with an open mind.
01. Doofy Duck (feat. Ritchie Mantrix) [140 BPM]
The album-opener is "Doofy Duck", a track themed over Looney Tunes' well-known Daffy Duck character. It starts out rather well with a funky, almost progressive grooves with distinct disco-influences, but sadly the whole Daffy Duck theme was over the top. Didn't come out as an amusing concept for me, just slightly annoying.
02. Controversy [142 BPM]
After the disappointing album-opener, "Controversy" is a bit more to my liking. The grooves are faster and not quite as funky, the vibe is more serious, but there is still a small dose of funk in the melting-pot. It feels sort of like a funky version of Neelix - without the annoying, repeated voice-samples, that made me dislike his latest album, "No Way To Leave". Quite good track.
03. Dreamschwartz (rmx for Visnudata) [142 BPM]
Next up is a remix of "Dreamschwartz" by the Finnish artist Visnudata. The wacky, funky sounds from the first two tracks are in more the background in this blasting remix - it's even more serious than the predecessor, slightly more on the dark side, and very intense and psychedelic. Very pumping dancefloor tune, but still with very fun grooves. Definitely my favourite so far.
04. YSD [140 BPM]
With "YSD" the psychedelia is toned down a notch. It starts out sounding like the Scandinavian forest-minimal style from some few years back, but it slowly gets wackier and wackier, ending with some delightful and very bouncy psydisco-elements. Doesn't stand out as much as the Visnudata remix, but is among the better tunes on the album.
05. Fat Old Ladies (feat. Paul Kearney) [137 BPM]
The title-track (almost) "Fat Old Ladies" starts out with some demented voice-samples and a hard slapbass before it incorporates some truly corny sounds that make it sound like an 80's version of the Eurovision Contest on acid - and I mean that in the best possible way. Feels a bit too messy overall to me though.
06. Funky Express [138 BPM]
Next up is "Funky Express" which, oddly enough, is the least funky track on the album in my opinion. Apart from the "Funky Express" voice-samples it seems rather dull compared to some of the earlier tracks, and it doesn't really seem to develop either.
07. Feel Again [136 BPM]
Things rapidly improve with "Feel Again", which is one of the strongest points on the album, and undoubtedly is heavily influenced by Donna Summers' "I Feel Love". The electro-influences are back, and although it doesn't provide as many surprising twists and turns as some of the earlier tracks, I think I can best describe it as a psychedelic version of Beckers. Really good stuff.
08. Rockit [135 BPM]
The retro electro and disco-elements are left out in "Rockit", and it does feel rather nice for a change. It's deeper and more pumping than the earlier tracks, but the Loopus-guys still have a few clever, amusing tricks up their sleeves. Think a funky, twisted and not quite as pretentious version of Sentient, add a little bit of breakbeat and you have "Rockit". Another cool tune.
09. Lets Dance [134 BPM]
Last but not least is a remix of David Bowie's timeless classic "Let's Dance". The elements from the original are distinct and will definitely cause loads of smiles on the dancefloor, but this remix is definitely a very original and interesting interpretation, and not among those "original + killer bassline" remixes that has been flooding the scene in later years. Let's Dance!
Bottom line:
As I mentioned in the beginning of the review, I'm not among Loopus In Fabulas most loyal followers, so I approached "Fat Ladies Bingo" with a quite open mind. It was way more progressive-psytrance than I was expecting from my few earlier encounters with Loopus In Fabulas' music, and overall it was a pleasant surprise. Think psychedelic and twisted, but not as dark and hardcore as the overly popular "dark psy". Amusing and funky, but not as mind-bending as the innovative Suomi guys. More on the progressive side, but not as sophisticated as Kino Oko.
Like your psytrance good'n'funky? Then "Fat Ladies Bingo" is what you're looking for.
Favourites:
2, 3 (!!), 4, 7, 8, 9 (!!)
Verdict:
7/10
Links:
Fabula Records: http://www.fabularecords.com
Loopus In Fabula: http://www.loopusinfabula.com DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane |
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