David Holmes presents The Free Association (13 Amp)

Having introduced them on his 'Come Get It I Got It' mix album from earlier this year, Belfast DJ David Holmes presents the full debut of The Free Association. Holmes and fellow producer Steve Hilton formed the group around vocalists, Sean Reveron and Petra Jean Phillipson, and a host of guest musicians.

If the collective set-up is reminiscent of Sly and the Family Stone, then the music is from a similar lineage. 'Free Ass O-C-8' would be their 'Family Affair' if it wasn't such laid-back, idling funk possessed by a slow groove deeper than a blood feud. Phillipson's voice recalls Billie Holiday, such as on the single '(I Wish I Had A) Wooden Heart', while 'Pushin A Broom' is the kind of working class soul that seemed extinct these days; her wearily wonderful voice and the purifying horns getting into every dirty corner.

Elsewhere Reveron's beatnik, unrhyming rap creates an errie atmosphere along with Holmes' nightmarish strings and threatening beats on 'Le Baggage'. 'Don't Rhyme No Mo' is a hectic urban scene of harsh sirens and words, while on the surreal 'La Dolce Vita', Reveron's voice and the squealing saxophone become indistinguishable.

As the unit the Free Association have a unique style. And while the beats and production is often recognisably as his, the album doesn't sound like a David Holmes album -with the honourable exception of 'Paper Underwear' which could have been lifted from the 'Let's Get Killed' sessions. The perfect marriage of his cinematic sensibilities and the band's collective soul comes on the album closer, the hauntingly beautiful, 'Whistlin' Down The Wind'.

At only 42 minutes it's a short album given today's standards. It's like The Free Association are harking back to a simpler time when an album fitted onto one piece of vinyl. And coming close to that perfect record.

words: Colm Larkin

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