Product Description

Fila Brazillia has grown symbiotically alongside its label,Hull, England's revered Pork Recordings. In many minds, thetwo concerns are inextricable. Yet 1999's A TOUCH OF CLOTH,Steve Cobby and Dave McSherry's seventh Fila Brazillia album, sees the unthinkable; the pair part with Pork to launch their own Twentythree/Tritone imprint. Fila fiends need not fear. The catalogue tag may have changed, but the music born of the creative partnership between Cobby and McSherry remains unique and, despite the efforts of imitators and admirers, untouchable.
On paper, the Fila formula appears simple enough: rugged grooves pitched perfectly between the fluid economics of techno and house and the fussier "muso" excess of fusion jazz. Easier said than done; it's a recipe for disaster in less adept hands. Fila's ebullient beats scour the Seven Seas for the world's brightest, bounciest rhythms. Cobby maintains the languid synth lines, sparkling funk-guitar accents, and jazzy Rhodes noodlings, dipping into psychedelicand sampladelic showmanship for splashes of vivid colour. McSherry steers Fila's butt-bumping low-end with supreme confidence. Their interplay is hand-in-glove throughout--from wide-grinned grooves ("The Bugs Will Bite", "Pigsblood and Chalk") through mysterious avant-funk meanderings ("Airlock Holmes", "XII") and into the sun-dappled electronic jazz of "Snakeskin Bib" and "Spores".

Track Listing

1. Bugs Will Bite
2. Airlock Homes
3. Ridden Pony
4. Slow Light
5. Swann Todd
6. Snakeskin Bib
7. XII
8. Trivia
9. Pigsblood And Chalk
10. Dervish Controller
11. Leonids
12. Spores

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39419 in Music
• Released on: 2008-06-02
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Fila Brazillia have been honing their art for over 10 years, and this seventh studio album bears the mark of that experience. More uptempo than many of their previous outings, Touch of Cloth still carries that trademark quirkiness that the Hull-based funkateers have come to represent over the years. As usual with Fila albums, a definite style is difficult to ascertain, as their sounds range from funk to dub to soul to hip hop to broken beat to ambient--usually all in the same track. What makes Fila stand out is their knowledge of all kinds of music styles and their ability to weave it all into a cohesive whole. Starting with the confident kick of "The Bugs Will Bite", the album offers example after example of intriguing musical craftsmanship. There's the unassailable mellow funk feel of "Airlock Homes", the ambient expedition that is Spore, some animated optimism on the cheeky "Swann Todd" and straight-up quirk on tracks like "Ridden Pony" and the slamming "Pigsblood and Chalk". Once again, Fila rise to the challenge of making new and original music with a recording packed with so many ideas and influences that it manages to stay fresh and lively from start to finish.--Paul Sullivan

Customer Reviews

In my opinion this is Fila Brazillias best album
Not only do I think that this is fila brazillia's best album, it is also one of the best albums that I have ever heard. I don't think there is a bad track on it and it is completely different to anything else you will listen to. It effortlessly blends electronica to other genres like folk, jazz and funk music. Like all of the best albums it takes a few listens to get the most out of it, but it is album that I still listen to regurly even though its a good 5 years old. Highly recommended.

Not the best from Fila
As the title states I would not view this as the best album Fila have produced. This accolade would go to Maim that Tune. I feel there are too many weak tracks on here or perhaps some of them have dated too soon. That said there are some really good funky tracks with the typical fila stamp on them.

I will probably get slated for this review from true Fila fans but if you are new to them buy Maim that Tune first, and after that Brazilification.

Warm Sweet Coffee and Cinnamon Danish.
This is the first Fila album I bought, and I admit that it took a couple of listens to get into. Disco,funk,and laid-back smoker's tunes are all here,and they're good ones too.It is most certainly not an album for the cheesy-dance minded out there, nor is it necessarily an album for those who want to tune in and drop out (though it can serve this purpose admirably!).It's quite difficult to come up with a "sounds like" for this one, but I would point out that there is an excellent balance between up tempo tracks, and more relaxed ones, so it won't have you nodding off half way through!
If anyone is tempted,give it a go, and if you're a DJ, I defy you not to use the first track at a stage when your audience needs a lift (provided they are intelligent enough to appreciate it).
In summary, I'd say this album is like warm sweet coffee accompanied by a cinnamon danish.It makes you feel nice in your tummy!
Cheers,
Chris