18/08/2011 Submotion Orchestra- Finest Hour (Exceptional)

This is a band we have been talking about for a very long time, and an album we will be listening to for a lot longer. We literally can not shut up about them; they are everything we want in a band, fusing musicianship, attitude, dancibility and originality. The band itself features a few heavyweights from the dubstep world; Ruckspin (here) is on the buttons, and Gentleman’s Dub Club drummer Tom lays down the beats (here). The album takes a few listens for everything to set into place, but when it does you will be so thankful you gave it the time of day.

The album occupies the middle space between jazz and dub perfectly, however is easily listenable and packed full of hooks even the instrumental tracks are accessible. This album is a perfect blend of rigorous musical performance and tight production on tracks like Back Chat and Pop & Lock coupled with beautiful, memorable, emotional melodic tracks like Finest Hour, All Yours and Hymn for Him. Where these two styles combine most perfectly is on Always; a personal favourite. Jazz chord progressions, driving beats, and mixing deck magic, are a combination the ears cannot help but love. Singer Ruby Wood's voice is full of delicate character.

The band are a force to be reckoned with live, I saw them last month at Proud in Camden, and they are flying off to a load of festivals this summer including Outlook which I am gutted not to be attending. The sound is so full and tight, another combination of the thrill and awe of an exquisite live music performance, coupled with the energy of a club night. They have also just announced a new UK tour here.  And the lead singer is the most beautiful thing I have ever to come out of Leeds.