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Review: Rob Lord
Boca45 – a mix between Brazilian football and music? That’s
the idea, and despite Boca45 actually supporting Bristol City,
it’s a mix that works.
The intro gives a flavour of the beats the album will treat you
to and though it’s not quite up to the same quality as,
say, Aim, it sets up the CD well.
It’s when stand out track, In The City, fades
in and McKay starts singing that your ears begin their treat.
The warm strings and McKay’s soft voice will radiate a glow
through you stereo and around the room.
Much like all Grand Central releases, this is not an album that
sticks to one style. The soulful In The City is followed
up by a block-party-cum-rock football anthem, Ultra!
It doesn’t sound like a marriage maid in heaven, but somehow
it fits.
Pitch Sounds then bounces around between the old school
hip-hop of Stand Up and Without A Doubt, the
chilled grooves of TLW Revisited and Jack In The
Box, the more soulful sounds of Take A Ride and
back again to the block-party laFayette Partytime, Airdrums
and The Way I Feel.
It’s the quality of the vocals that always sets Grand Central
releases apart from the others.
McKay’s voice is soft and beautiful. The rapping by Profile
on Stand Up is tight yet relaxed. Tammy Payne, on Take
A Ride, lifts you up above the jittery beats and Retna and
Reds lend an expert hand on Without A Doubt.
This is an album of its time, a mix of old and new styles, holding
your attention as it flicks back and forth.
It has to be said that the more upbeat of the tunes probably
lack longevity, but then most party tunes do.
That’s not to say that it does not maintain its quality
all the way through, but from a one-time collaborator of Andy
Smith [of Portishead and The Document series fame] I’d expect
nothing less.
For me, I know I’ll still be listening to In The City,
Stand Up, Take A Ride and Without A Doubt in a years
time. For now, though, I think I’ll just enjoy the album
as a whole, as it’s meant to be.
With Socrates joining Garforth Town, Dunga investing in QPR and
now Boca45’s Pitch Sounds being released, Brazilian
football really has arrived in the UK.
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Track listing:
1. The Countdown featuring Monkey Moo
2. In The City featuring McKay
3. Ultra!
4. Stand Up featuring Profile
5. TLW Revisited
6. Jack In The Box
7. Take A Ride featuring Tammy Payne
8. Lafayette Partytime
9. Airdrums
10. Without a Doubt featuring MC Retna & MC Reds
11. It's Over
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