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This release follows on from his previous 7” called, ‘The Sound’/’Foundation’ (late 2004) and a Mix compilation CD, The Ritual (May 2005).

The CD shows what eclectic tastes Natural-Self has and you’ll catch The Dap King’s influence straight away on ‘I Don’t Need This Trouble’. So who better to have as a guest vocalist than Alice Russell? No one in this area. Kick your shoes off and have a dance — funky. Russell (The Garden) Knight and his congas need a mention and take the limelight on the instrumental version.

Just referring back to the Mix CD tracklisting, in addition to the likes of Sabu Martinez, Zapp, DJ Shadow and Grand Master Flash & the Furious 5 it includes Grant Green and Keith Tippett. You can see that there are links going on with that other jazz-head of the Tru-Thoughts stable, Ben Lamdin of Nostalgia 77 (see the tracklisting of his mix-tape that Gilles played on his show. There’s still the interview with Ben to come following the review of ‘The Hope Suite’.

What a brilliant night the Jelly Jazz gig must have been with Natural Self and Nostalgia 77.

All five tracks on this 12” could have been played at Jelly Jazz.

The b-side certainly lives up to the “unique” style. ‘Foundation Pt. 2’ follows on from the 7” into a roots-jazz crossover. We’ve got the Nyabinghi drum sound with the horns of Jah. Well actually it’s John Styles on saxophones with Natural Self on production duties. Mr. Styles is another Nostalgia 77-Quantic Soul Orchestra contributor.

‘Back To The City’ is a similarly downtempo number but goes on a Latin-funky break for the border with more sax and horns.

The last track, ‘Raising The Power Of The Earth To The Sky’ is a strange one where it takes ‘Foundation Pt. 2’ to the snake charmer or even a Breton samba band. Unique indeed.

If it hadn’t have been for the Alice and Ben connections, I could have missed this one but I’m so glad I didn’t. You’ll need ‘I Don’t Need This Trouble’ and probably the forthcoming album also (planned for the autumn) so not long to wait.

Reviewed: Natural Self (feat. Alice Russell) - ‘I Don’t Need This Trouble’ (Breakin Bread) Cat. No. BNB019 Release Date: 18th July 2005
A1 I Don’t Need This Trouble
A2 I Don’t Need This Trouble (Instrumental)
B1 Foundation Pt. 2
B2 Back To The City
B3 Raising The Power Of The Earth To The Sky

Links
Breakin Bread www.breakinbread.org
Tru-Thoughts www.tru-thoughts.co.uk
Natural-Self - releases
Gilles Peterson : Tracklisting 14/08/05 : Nostalgia 77 Mixtape
18) Chris MacGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath - ‘MRA’ (Neon)
19) Max Roach - ‘Absolutions’ (Atlantic)
20) Al Feeney - ‘The Other Place’ (Berklee Jazz)
1) The Paris Smith Quartet - ‘Thought Seeds’ (Oracle Records)
22) Natural-Self - ‘Meditation’ (a tribute) (White)
23) Cal Tjader - ‘Buhutu’ (Vocalion)
24) Rashaan Roland Kirk & Al Hibbler - ‘Carney And Begard Place’ (Atlantic)
25) James Tatum - Zooba la (JTTP)