Monsieur Leroc
Le Slow Motion Boogie Woogie
downbeat-electro-hip-hop-euro-soul-head-trip "Best Album of 2000. Leroc is right up there with DJ Shadow and Money Mark" -E. Online
By blending massive amounts of jazz, funk, R&B, stuff from the 1960's/70's, and some cool old guitar rock, Monsieur Leroc's electro -hip hop - euro - soul - head trip surfaces in the U.S. and is made available for the first time as a domestic release by Cornerstone R.A.S.
The funk flavored ethereal sounds of Monsieur Leroc are the sonic equivalent of tapping into the Pythagorean "music of the spheres". Listening to Le Slow Motion Boogie Woogie is like visiting a funk filled Heaven - a perfect place to have an "out of body experience."
Monsieur Leroc makes his way from Highmshighm, Germany - somewhere near the Black Forest in France. When asked about how it all started: Leroc responded "I took piano lessons and angeldust when I was little...since that didn't really kick off, I decided to take some jazz lessons."
When asked how he usually produces his albums, Monsieur Leroc responded: "I sit in front of the computer, smoking, with my headphones on, all naked, except for the shoes." Fueled by nicotine the unclad Leroc busts out a collection of the funkiest jams this side of the Black Forest using as his medium a Macintosh computer, an Akai S2000 sampler and a Korg 01/W pro X keyboard (collectively and affectionately known as the groove circle).
The U.S. release of Le Slow Motion Boogie Woogie includes all the tracks of it's European release, from the lazy synthesizer and drum beat driven opening track Monique's Theme to the retro, soul groove of I Think I and the guitar wacca wacca underwritten, deeply pleasant lo-funk flavored ode to 70's tv cops Starsky & Hutch Funky Schlupfer; plus a special bonus track Apres Ski not found on the European issue.
Monsieur Leroc - cosmic art designer by day and naked, cigarette smoking, secret groove circle member by night, mixes it up righteously on Le Slow Motion Boogie Woogie, so do yourself a flavor and give these jazz tranced, slow burning drum beats a place to hang out - in your mind.
Le Slow Motion Boogie Woogie is the latest Cornerstone R.A.S. release this year that falls in line with our mission to bring you the best new music being made: from surf rock and dancehall reggae, to old-school punk, psychadelic pop and retro-funk we're committed to traveling uncharted waters and turning you onto the freshest most eclectic artists to cross our path.
Cornerstone R.A.S. is an outgrowth from Skunk Records - the record label that originated in Long Beach 10 years ago by members of Sublime and The Ziggens. Today Skunk Records/Skunk.com is primarily a production company and Skunk family member Cornerstone R.A.S. is putting out the records and keeping alive the vision of putting artists' creativity first and marketability second.
Here's a review by Cool and Strange Music:
Intricately layered breakbeats set the background for smooth blue note jaz and sharp funk on Mr. Leroc's 10-track release, perfect for a long midnight drive after the pub. While th epercussion is crystal-clear, the other instruments have a surreal audio quality and the vocals are haunting and sometimes indecipherable. This contrast sets Monsieur Leroc apart from most hip-hop/jazz/funk projects, which ignore musicianship in favor of digitally leansed loops.
The Monsieur rips apart the electronic piano with heroic disregard for his own safety, blends in some bass and strings, and once in a while vocals and laughter. The syncopation between the primary instruments and others such as the xylophone and extremely understated horns remain unique and uncluttered. Exploring beatnik jazz, Motown-esque funk, a monologue about mac and cheese sandwiches, and odd interpretations of soul, the Monsieur has the skills to deliver absolutely original material with expertise and elegance.
Reggae: Dancehall