Review: Back after a very long absence from the GAMM label, edit king and remix connoisseur Red Astaire drops a pair of originals and a couple of rejigs on this splendid EP. Rocking an "Organ Donor"-esque pattern, title tune "The Russian" makes use of a wide-trawl of samples while "Make It Sexy Baby" piles on the hip-hop flavour thanks to some fatback, head-nodding drums. Black Moon's "How Many MCs" also gets a classy, funk-filled rejig while Bob Marley's "Chances Are" is given a dubby extension to round off this excellent return.
Review: Freddie Cruger & Anthony Mills Are Wildcookie! And as it crumbles Tru Thoughts have decided, 10 years on, that the original album's instrumentals are worthy of a rerelease. Highlighting Freddie Cruger, aka Red Astaire's production prowess, The Wildcookie Cookie Dough (Instrumentals) brings attention back to acclaimed numbers like "Heroine" to a bluesy bonus track in the hum and thrum of "Stop Fronting On Me". With sharp saw waves adding a new age telecommunicative feel to "On The Road'', find wonkier yet funked up grooves in "Piece Of Mind" alongside '80s-esque vocal notes in the most tranquil "Tuesday Is Friday". With Cruger's basslines coming through full and strong in this alternative release, get your dose of samba rhythms and flow in "Flashy Flashy" and "Serious Drug". Tru Instrumentals for sure.
