Reviews
of the
2001 CD
so
much more
by
THE MOT!VES
PROJECT
TRUE MUSIC FANS WILL BE INTRIGUED...
It is difficult to
put a label on the type of music the group plays. It is Reggae, Ska,
Jazz, a little Country, Rock and Dancehall which collectively say a lot
of their
wide musical taste. The musical forte commences with an up tempo Reggae
tune titled "Between A Rock & A Hard Place." The rasping saxophone played here by Jim Clouse and the wailing trumpet by Pam Fleming blends and gives great texture and sophistication to the song. Lead vocalist Brian "Milo" Lowe sounds credible as a DJ on "I've Been Up & Down" while he singjays on the jewel of the disc, "Cowboy" which appears twice; once in a classic Marley styled Reggae tune, the other a laid back, dub heavy tune that was re-mix by Papa Linley. Milo is joined by the infectious voice of Marcia on "Bubblin Pot" a song that sounds like a throwback to the 70's. "Time My Love" is a light-hearted song with strong Ska overtones. Other songs include "Love Of My Life," "Chicken," "Boy Next Door," and "Cat." The
disc does stumble on a few weak tracks, but this does not detract from
the awesome talent of the group. Overall the production quality of the
disc is
outstanding and real. True music fans will be intrigued by the varied
musical styles, which helps to keep the disc lively.
- Anthony Turner, Jamaica Gleaner's The Weekly Star (2/6/02) *** 1/2
THE
MOT!VES have been around in various configurations since 1998, and
this is the band's
debut CD release. Their three years of woodshedding and playing out have paid off handsomely: THE MOT!VES PROJECT's sound is an impressively well-developed hybrid of reggae, ska, funk and even country characterized by intricate, flowing basslines, beautifully arranged horn charts and better-than-average vocals. Interestingly,
the guest artists on So Much More include banjo legends Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck. Trischka contributes tasteful pedal steel guitar on Cat (a minor-key ska tune which continues the feline theme that dominates the album's cover art), while Fleck plays nearly subliminal banjo on the similarly ska-flavored Someone Else's Life and both banjo and guitar on A Friend In Need. Most of the album stays more in a mainstream reggae vein -- not old-school roots-and-culture reggae for the most part, but modern reggae with dancehall sheen and a rootsy foundation. Highlights
include the excellent Cowboy and the even better Bubblin Pot,
a dancehall workout featuring great interplay between singers Marcia
Davis and Brian "Milo" Lowe. Highly recommended.
- Rick Anderson ALL MUSIC GUIDE rickand@unr.edu
(www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Amy5e8qnpbtn4) A PECULIAR ATMOSPHERE AND COMPLEX SONG STRUCTURES...
Louie
Fleck is not a household name among ska and reggae adepts. The Mot!ves,
the reggae
project he manages, provide a tasty menu of Jamaican licks, flavored
by funk,
jazz,
and the pop landscape. This band has laid low in the bar and club circuit
in New York. His production of the album "So Much More" results in a contemporary and melodic sound with distinctive offerings by lead vocalists Brian "Milo" Lowe, Rebecca Bolluyt and Marcia Davis. Musicians include Ronnie Butler, Bernd Schoenhart, Bela Fleck, Rebecca Weiner, Tony Trischka, Pam Fleming, Dan Levine, Simone Gordon, Laury Webb, Kalvin Kristie & Linley McKenzie. Noteworthy is the combination of Rebecca's cool voice and Milo's vocals, especially on Freeman, Boy Next Door and on the remixed version of Cowboy. Some songs are flavored with dub elements, resulting in a peculiar atmosphere and complex song structures. Too Far, Bubblin' Pot, Silent Treatment and Someone Else's Life are amongst our favorite tracks. "So Much More" is
a very interesting debut set from The Mot!ves Project.
- Teacher & Mr.
T., Reggae-Vibes, www.reggae-vibes.com (6/20/01)
Vocals: 3/4, Backing: 3/4, Production : 4, Sound quality: 5, Sleeve: 3 (Rating
system: 5 = excellent, 1 = poor)
Review of "Someone Else's Life" by
THE MOT!VES PROJECT GREAT TRACK!
At
the first few seconds of the track, I was reminded of the track by
Ricky Martin "She Bangs".
Overall, this song is great. The voice is bold and loud enough. The beat
and melody work together. Extra Credit: Lyrics, Melody, Beat - Special Award:
Grooviest Rhythm
- Reviewed by: Ronako from San Francisco, CA (Garageband.com) VON ROOTS üBER SKA
UND DUB BIS ZUM DANCEHALL!...
THE MOTIVES PROJECT: So much more
Aus New York City
kommt das Motives Project. Relativ unbekannt, trotzdem erwähnenswert. Auf ihrer neuen CD schaffen sie es alle Reggae-Styles zu verbinden. Von Roots über Ska und Dub bis zum Dancehall! Neben den Dub´s sollte man sich vor allem die Vocals reinziehen: Gesungen von Rebecca Bolluyt, Marcia Davis und Brian "Milo" Lowe!
- Alex And The Nuff-Vibes crew in Hamburg, Germany (7/20/01)
-www.nuff-vibez.com/records2001/body_records2001.html RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS...
Looking
for big band reggae sounds? Like lots of horns? Like real
instruments playing?
Looking for double vocals including sweet female leads with rugged male
toasting?
You like some humor thrown in with deadly-serious lyrics?
You like something different? Inna NYC stylee? Dammit, look no further!
I definitely recommend
this new release- 19 tracks in all! High quality to the rescue! (6/11/01)
- Natty B, Irie-Bay CDs What a great CD -- it reminded me immediately why the Motives were my
favorite band at San Jose RAW. It pretty much blew me away from the
minute I put it in my CD player. I was immediately struck by Milo and
Rebecca's great vocals when I saw the Motives live, but what is
impressing me more now is the strength of the songwriting. (6/10/01)
- Tom Weber The MOT!VES, so much more - A Ska/Reggae CD Spotlight
Louie Fleck is not a household name among fans of NYC ska and reggae,
but maybe he should be. The MOT!VES, the reggae project he manages,
provide a healthy menu of tasteful Jamaican licks, flavored by funk,
jazz,
and the pop landscape. Fleck also serves as producer on this album, proving
adept at shaping a smooth and modern sound out of disparate influences,
instrumentation and voices. Rebecca Bolluyt's vocals offer the seduction
of
high-class jazz pop,
backed by well-schooled toasting from Brian "Milo" Lowe.
This band has laid low in the bar and club circuit in New York, but deserve
a
little more love from elsewhere. Check 'em out. (6/8/01)
- Bob Timm, about.com host for Reggae and Ska
