DJ Vadim U.S.S.R - The Art of Listening LP DJ Vadim – The Art of Listening Having been around the world more times than that northern bird that Diddy sampled, The Jazz Fudge head honcho has finally stayed in one place long enough to record his sophomore effort. And the Art of Listening does not disappoint. The CD Version of the album features no less than 17 (yes, count ‘em) guests, with Vadim behind the boards on all of the tracks. The album kicks off with Motion Man’s “Til Suns in Your Eye”. A fat bassline forms the backdrop for the man from the Bay to drop off key verbals while the beat sometimes seems to have a mind of its own stopping while Motion Man and Jazz Fudge’s Blu Rum 13 snigger about British weather and cannabis. The important thing about this album is that you don’t find yourself listening to either or the vocalist or the beat, and with Vadim taking things in a new direction with nearly every tune, it’s interesting to see how the guests pin their vibe onto the sound. That’s why you can have Blackalicious’ Gift of Gab rubbing shoulders with Phi Life Cypher and its left up to the listener to decide which is act is doper, without the aid of monolithic marketing machines or that ageless stumbling block; the accent. As if this wasn’t enough Vadim isn’t afraid to go experimental on us, drafting in the carbon-based bipedal jukebox that is Killa Kela and teaming him up with legendary Polish saxophonist Ulzula Dudziak for “Revelations Well Expounded”, Yarah Bravo flips her tongue twisting spoken word style for “She Who Is Tested” and “The Pacifist” while Gruff of Super Furry Animals rubs shoulders on “Taa Fun Aiye” with African vocalist Ade Soma. He goes solo to drop an instrumental in the shape of “The Harp Song Pt.2” with a few clever vocal samples thrown in just to let heads know he can still dig for obscure spoken word records with the best of them. Vad even tries his hand at dancehall supplying a heavy (if not a little restrained) digital beat for Demolition Man on ”Who Me” (Seek out “Leaches” b/w “Up to Jah” to hear Vadim getting properly rude with it). Taskforce are added to the mix late in the album and do themselves proud with “Something to Feel?”. Vadim’s crowning moment on the album has to be TTC’s “L’art d’ecouter” with its ghostly violins, vocal stabs and hyperactive emcees it doesn’t matter that its all spat in French, dopeness defies language. The heartfelt epilogue to the album comes from Atmosphere’s Slug on “Edie Brickell” who questions the motivation that powers both wack and dope emcees over laidback guitars and horns. . Lastly the CD includes the video for current single “It’s On” (featuring Vakill). It’s… different, all cock diesel, animated masked rabbits beating each other with bats. You’ll like it. Promise In all this is an album from a man who is not afraid to push back the barriers of music and make his own definition of good music whilst (hopefully) influencing yours. And lets face it with an album this varied you couldn’t really have a better guide. - Kobi | profile © ukhh.com 1999 - 2002