Nu Cool 01.06

I have to agree that Head candi was gettinga bit stale and samley but is this really the way forward?

I think the jury is still out on that.

The combination is great but it lacks a certain something that head candi really needs to survive (Drive)

I think presonally Head Candi is never gonna lose it's way but isn't it time to rehashing old vibes and link to the new generation

Sadly dissapointed!!


Back on Track? Maybe, just maybe.......   February 11, 2006
Scubaboy (Swansea, UK)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

As one who has been scathing of virtually all Hed Kandi releases since the brilliant Mark Doyle's departure, I took a chance with this after reading other reviews. Have to say, I wasn't disappointed. The Nu Cool series was early in Kandi history then fizzled out after volume 4 (my favourite). The series hallmark was smooth, soulful and sometimes funky grooves, and number 5 carries on that tradition but has thrown in a few numbers that I doubt would have made it onto the old series. Yes, unfortunately there's a couple of duff tracks here but there's more than enough to make up for it.

The music is a little challenging and inaccessible at times but improves with each listen. On CD1 I really liked Lady T, Wanna Get Wet and One of Us - very curious to see a real oldie in the form of You Can't Hide From Yourself by Teddy Pendergrass here - does seem a little out of place but a good tune nonetheless.

Disc 2 doesn't let up with a fantastic version of the Doobie Brothers' Listen to The Music by Incognito proving to be my personal highlight. Again a curious oldie inclusion is the Jackson 5 track - doing what sounds like their version of (sing along) - War, what is it good for? (absolutely nothin!) - but it's not that track, just a rip off and not particularly cool at all.

Bah Samba are a great band but Kandi have included one of their weaker tracks Let The Drums Speak. Not a bad song but an ill-advised inclusion when there is better on offer from a remarkably consistent band.

But ultimately, there's more than enough to pull it back to a four star album for me. When, at the end of CD2 you want to put CD1 on again then Kandi must have got it about right with this offering.

Don't know whether they've done enough to redeem themselves just yet as I've firmly turned Japanese with Mark Doyle's excellent Tokyo Project - be interesting to see who has the rights to the brilliant Stereo Sushi series. Could be that if Kandi have the rights - as I suspect is the case - then they will be well on the road back to redemption if they put out quality like this. I'll be watching!


Hed Kandi's Best a menu of funk and soul   February 4, 2006
R. Pieters (Harlow Essex)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

The Nu cool series of up to the minute dance in house and garage seemed to phase out years ago . My favourite in this series was the first laid back soulful collection, in a way this 2006 edition of the series is in that theme . The elements in this collection are of soul and funk. Disc 1 is a pre club warm up of very funky grooves , which an old funker like myself found impressive , the outstanding tracks from Plantlife, Crazy P, Soul Mekanik and Floris have influences from the 70's ands 80's groups such as The Ohio Players, Confunkshun and even Crown heights affair.Disc 2 is my favourite and a chilled out wind down for post club post party and it makes a diverse more progressive challenging listen and is on a R&B soul tempoe with D,Nell's soul ballad and R&B Terry Walker's track and underated London soul Diva Vanessa Freeman's Love upping the tempoe alsoe there's the bluesy Sugar Rush Beat, a jazzy dance vocal fron Luhnining and even a suberb Jackson 5 remix to up the groove. This in my books is the best Hed Kandi could get, however if you prefer the more electro pop of Twisted Disco or the pounding beats of Disco Kandi this might not be for you.Going by other comments on the page it seems to have done the trick though.


Nu Cool - back to the best   January 19, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I have to agree with the other reviews. This is what we have been missing out since Mark Doyle departed. I have failed to buy any Hed Kandi CD's since the last Winter Chill cause I thought they were of very poor quality.
This NU Cool is up there with the best of them. Perfect to get the feet tappin in this dreary winter!
Wonder will Stereo Sushi make a return too...anyway you must add this CD to your collection, it would be rude not to!!


Nu Cool, A Return To Form!   January 15, 2006
I. Doran (Ireland)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

For a while, things were up in the air for all those at Hed Kandi, since Mark Doyle's sudden departure. It seemed that things were on the slippery slope with the disappointing Disco Kandi & Hed Kandi Mix 2006 cds. But, alas, they have found their footing once more and this I have to say has been a treat to listen to.

Disc one begins quite funky with the delicious, 'Dedication', by Beef Wellington. Further on, there are more quality anthems from Plantlife, Gaelle, Soul Mekanik & Stockholm Cyclo. Two of my favourite tracks on disc one come from Teddy Pendergrass with his disco gem 'You Can't Hide From Yourself'and the lush tune from Sebastian Tellier, 'La Ritournelle'. This is the most beautiful track from the whole album!! You'll know when you hear it.

Disc two is a slightly more down-tempo affair but nonetheless contains all of the magic you'd expect from a Kandi album. Standout tracks come from Barefoot, D'Nell, Simon Grey & Luhning.

This collection has restored my faith in Hed Kandi and I happily give it 5 stars!