KING KOOBA
ENTER THE THRONE ROOM
ALBUM SECOND SKIN RELEASE: MAY 24, 1999 REVIEW: JULY 22, 1999
King Kooba is a British duo consisting of a bass player and a DJ. Playing
what they call "future funk", they mix programmed material with live
instruments, aiming for both the dancefloor and beyond. With the sad result
of truly reaching neither of these places.
"Enter the Throne Room" sounds like a watered down version of the whole
British dance music scene. A little drum'n'bass, some funk, some live
playing to make it sound "organic", and some crooner girl with a suitably
impersonal voice to help the listener struggle through the otherwise
mostly instrumental music. And don't forget a stint at jazz - and of course
scratching.
It all just sounds like somebody has listed the ingredients for
a musical style called "suitably cool" and given it to the guys. What is
lacking here is something sticking out, something to remember. Anything
that sticks in your mind and keeps repeating over and over long after you've
listened to it.
As far as anonymous electronica goes, it's pretty okay, though. I guess you
can even dance to some of it.
MATTIAS HUSS