MISHAPS HAPPENING

By Quantic
Released June 2004

REVIEW

Quantic producer Will Holland is that rare figure in dance music -- a two-way threat. As a producer and programmer, he's capable of innovating even while following closely along stylistic guidelines (his include Brazilian jazz, Afro-beat, and funk). That he's also a musician, capable of anchoring a section with bass or guitar and soloing on tenor or organ, is far too much to ask for -- most acts can't manage both even when the responsibilities are spread among several bandmembers. This third Quantic full-length bests the previous two (no small feat), powered by Holland's deep grooves, deft beats, able musicianship, and best of all, his realization that a one-man band isn't much fun for artist or audience. Sidemen, especially vocalists, abound on this record, and they create the interplay needed to carry the tracks on Mishaps Happening from pleasant genre exercises to innovative, gorgeous works of their own. Sonny Akpan summons the weighty authority of Fela Kuti on his feature, "Use What You Got," and returning talent Alice Russell makes her case as the most soulful woman on wax in the 21st century. (It should come as no surprise that Quantic's U.K. home, Tru Thoughts, is giving Russell a full-length of her own.) Earthy like Jazzanova, sublime like Swayzak, always fluent in the hippest styles but able to transcend the cognoscenti, Mishaps Happening is the best record on Ubiquity since As One's 21st Century Soul (and it will stun the same audience). ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

 

TRACKS

1	Mishaps Happening	Holland	7:31
2	Use What You Got	Holland/Akpan	5:13
3	Sound of Everything	Holland	4:02
4	En Focus	Holland/Charri	4:33
5	Trees and Seas	Holland	4:52
6	Angels and Albatrosses	Holland	5:13
7	Furthest Moment	Holland	5:34
8	Don't Joke With a Hungry Man	Holland	5:17
9	Prelude to Happening	Holland/Pheulatos	6:24
10	When You're Through	Holland	4:37
11	Perception	Holland	4:44
12	So Long	Holland/Russell	7:23

PERFORMERS

Banjo	Terry Holland
Bass	Will Holland
Bassoon	Johnny Styles
Cello	Alice Russell
Clavinet	Will Holland
Double Bass	Will Holland
Fender Rhodes	Dave Woodhouse Simon Little
Flute	John Hughes
Guitar	Will Holland
Keyboards	Will Holland
Marimba	Will Holland
Organ	Will Holland
Percussion	Sonny Akpan Will Holland
Piano	Simon Little Will Holland
Sax (Baritone)	Johnny Styles
Sax (Tenor)	Will Holland
Saxophone	Will Holland
Strings	Antonia Pheulatos Mike Simmonds
Trumpet	Dave Woodhouse
Vibraphone	Corey Mwamba
Vocals	Alice Russell Etienne Charry Sonny Akpan Spanky Wilson
Vocals (Background)	Sri McKinnon Will Holland