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≡█
≥█ General Info :
≥█ Title .........: Middle of the Road
≥█ Artist ........: Bus
≥█ Music Style ...: Electronic
≥█ Type ..........: Album
≥█ Release Date ..: Nov-30-2003
≥█
≥█ Used Tools :
≥█ Grabber .......: Dbpoweramp
≥█ Encoder .......: Lame 3.93
≥█
≥█ Additional Info:
≥█ Source ........: CDDA
≥█ No. Of Songs ..: 11
≥█ Size ..........: 56,9 MB
≥█ Playtime ......: 41:21 min
≥█ Label .........: ~Scape
≥█ Quality .......: 192kbps / 44,1kHz / HQ / Joint-Stereo
≡█
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±█
≥█ 01 ::: Intro ::: 00:31
≥█ 02 ::: Don't Be Afraid to Cry ::: 02:35
≥█ 03 ::: Come-Do-Move ::: 05:09
≥█ 04 ::: Keep Life Right ::: 04:42
≥█ 05 ::: Middle of the Road ::: 05:07
≥█ 06 ::: Mc Rhino ::: 05:10
≥█ 07 ::: Freestyle ::: 01:43
≥█ 08 ::: Clappin ::: 04:16
≥█ 09 ::: Echonomy ::: 02:56
≥█ 10 ::: Offroad ::: 03:54
≥█ 11 ::: On My Treasure Island ::: 05:18
±█
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±█
≥█ "If one were asked to name the ~scape artist whose latest
≥█ hiphop-dub-electronica hybrid alternates MC-based vocal and
≥█ instrumental tracks, one's answer would likely be "Pole", given the
≥█ attention Stefan Betke has garnered in recent months for the makeover
≥█ of his originating style. But one also would be correct in answering
≥█ "Bus", as Berliners Daniel Meteo and Tom Thiel have fashioned a
≥█ recording that in its general approach resembles Pole's. Bus's "Middle
≥█ of the Road", for example, uses a lurching rhythm characteristic of
≥█ Betke's music, and the propulsive, bass-driven dub of "Clappin" could
≥█ be added to Pole without too much disruption. There are key
≥█ differences, however. While Betke recruited Fat Jon to add his smooth
≥█ rapping to Pole, Bus's secret weapon is MC Soom-T, a dynamic and
≥█ versatile performer whose presence is so strong she establishes
≥█ herself less as a guest and more as a full-fledged member of the
≥█ group, although she appears on only half of the tracks. Her range
≥█ exceeds Fat Jon's too. She brings to the project sharp rapping skills
≥█ but also solid vocal ability, so much so that when the music takes an
≥█ Eastern turn (India, that is) in "On My Treasure Island", her
≥█ serpentine singing sounds right at home. She's a member of the Glasgow
≥█ formation Monkeytribe, who released the 12-inch Delaware on Daniel's
≥█ Meteosound label, and was incidentally the only woman to reach the
≥█ finals of the recently held British 8 Mile MC Championships. One other
≥█ difference between the two releases is that Pole's music is sometimes
≥█ so understated instrumentally that it's diminished by Fat Jon's
≥█ dominating presence. Conversely, while Soom-T's contributions are
≥█ equally dominant, Bus's music remains very much at the forefront
≥█ alongside them.
≥█
≥█ "Come/Do/Move" is the quintessential example of the compelling
≥█ hiphop-dub fusion Bus creates. Two rhythms, a synth-based reggae
≥█ groove and a funky lumbering hip-hop beat are conjoined while clavinet
≥█ lines and ska percussion accents add distinctive flavours. At other
≥█ times, tracks hew more closely to one of the two styles. "Don't Be
≥█ Afraid to Cry", for example, has a stronger hiphop emphasis, and
≥█ features Soom-T's aggressively punchy recitation and bluesy ramblings
≥█ alongside a memorable two-note guitar hook. "Keep Life Right" on the
≥█ other hand, is a ska-flavoured dub shuffle distinguished by Soom-T's
≥█ rapid flow. "On My Treasure Island" ends the recording on an anomalous
≥█ but not displeasing note. Its Eastern feel sounds initially too unlike
≥█ the other songs, but Soom-T's slinky vocals re-establish the
≥█ connection to the other tracks. The rhythm is slow and skanky, a
≥█ perfect complement to Soom-T's undulations.
≥█
≥█ The release of Middle of the Road is preceded by the EP Keep Life
≥█ Right, and similarities with Pole apply here too. On Betke's 90/90,
≥█ three versions of "Slow Motion" are included: the original version
≥█ plus instrumental dub and a cappella treatments; similarly, Bus's EP
≥█ features four variations of the title track (including dub and a
≥█ cappella versions) plus two of "Middle of the Road". As usual, the EP
≥█ will appeal more to completists, although the sped-up version of "Keep
≥█ Life Right" and its electrofied remix of by hiphop guru Dabrye provide
≥█ a strong incentive to acquire it as a companion to the full-length.
≥█ What makes Keep Life Right and Middle of the Road so satisfying is
≥█ that Bus integrates hiphop and dub so seamlessly that tracks evidence
≥█ both but in a manner that feels natural. The group creates a
≥█ hiphop-dub hybrid as satisfying as Pole's, even though their
≥█ respective musical styles are subtly individualized."
±█
≡█
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[ best viewed in jane with lucida console ansi (size 8) ]