- Benjamin Sportes and Nicholas Kantorowicz are renowned for their sense of humour and easy going attitude towards their recording techniques. Conspiring together for their latest release they experiment with new styles of music, falling somewhere between DJ Shadow and some crazy French loonies the end result is Sporto Kantes a sampled journey of twelve very different tracks, all unique to their own.
Deriving from Nicholas's French rock combo Les Wampas and Ben's punk rock band Torpedo the pigeon hole won't fit these guy's in with tips from reggae to hip hop to funky mash ups and all in sampled brawls. This duo's one condition for making a second album was on the proviso that the each of them recorded separately then come together for the final selection process. 2nd Round an obvious progressive step from their first LP Act 1 which saw the pair develop a huge underground following and the mainstream taking notice. With their liberal use of vocal sampled effects and layered tracks, the variety of this album is it's upmost feature without straying to far from the path.
Surprise is the first cat out of the bag churning out hip hop beats with laden strings and soft spoken vocals turns into a lively elevator operator whom takes us on a tour of a “very groovy” department store. The effects on Overdive and a catchy 60's sharp short beat with a theremin waving its tune throughout and more than enough cuts and samples to poke a stick at, this duo must of had ball in the studio. Hearing "Yo Leroy" all through Lee and some big brassy numbers that cuts into a wound up chorus of a fast paced "waa" and bass guitar. Appearing on the J's playlist Heart a mix of plucky guitars and filtered female vocals with punchy drumming and bass guitar licks is a mix of French artist Air and a more up beat Royksopp style track.
The slower tempo of Maka'in Muskil with a down tempo beat and piano accompaniment is a theme runs across several more of the songs like Tell me with its reggae vibe and Yardies Night with its scratching effects and distorted background guitar. Hearing Funky you could be forgiven if thinking this track could of been on a different album with suspense filled violins busting into a catchy as it comes beat, obviously wound up, with great fills and turns on the kit, it is what the track says "funky".
The idea of making a record for any other reason than having a laugh, really does sound funny to this pair. If you like your Shadow or an ethnic flavoured Coldcut you'll enjoy Sporto Kantes and their quirky 2nd Round.
1. Surprise
2. Impressed
3. Lee
4. Makain Muskil
5. Tell Me
6. Heart
7. Ambre
8. Funky
9. Yardie's Night
10. Regular Customer
11. Out of the block
12. New Wave