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Here Comes Tomorrow
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Here Comes Tomorrow Okay, so you've experienced two studio albums and a live mix from Ursula 1000 (aka Alex Gimeno). Do you think you have his style pinned down? You don't. Besides (nearly) shedding his swanky swingin' Austin Powers aesthetic, the third full-length from Ursula 1000 melds his expected funk, disco, bossa nova and psychedelia style with some surprising influences, from sleazy glam rock to punk funk.
Track Listing:
  1. Kaboom! (feat. Izumi Ookawara)
  2. Hello! Let's Go To A Disco (feat. Dougee Dimensional)
  3. Got Cha
  4. Electrik Boogie
  5. Two Tone Rocka
  6. Boop (feat. Barbara De Dominicis)
  7. Kirkin The Mystic
  8. Urgent/Anxious (feat. Cristina)
  9. Descarga en la Discoteca (feat. Los Amigos Invisibles)
  10. Arrastão (feat. KoJAK)
  11. Ragnarock
  12. Here Comes Tomorrow (feat. Robert Conroy)

If you've tuned in to the TV show Grey's Anatomy lately you might recognize what has nearly become a theme song for the show. It's the lead track here entitled "Kaboom!", a funky breaks piece with a Japanese chanteuse edge provided by Izumi Ookawara of J-popsters Qypthone. Two of Mr. Ursula's own words sum it up perfectly: funky and zany.

New York City has an infectious artistic style, and its clearly gotten hold of Ursula 1000. Even before taking a closer look at the press photo, showing Gimeno lying on a variety of vinyl record sleeves, I got a serious T. Rexx vibe off "Hello! Let's Go To A Disco", which is thick with "Spirit In The Sky" influences.

"Got Cha" returns to a more classic sound for Ursula 1000, dropping a funky cha cha cha vibe, upbeat and big on Spanish horns, cowbells (the new black) and bongos...mad bongos. If there's a video for this song and it doesn't involve the clich Latin poolboy in speedos I'll be unmeasurably disappointed.

Okay, I'll admit. I rocked more than one cardboard mat back in the Elementary school days, working it out to the sounds of Midnight Star. Why would I admit that? Because "Electrik Boogie" brings all those fledgeling b-boy antics back into clear focus with a strong Prince style.

"Two Tone Rocka" is a thinly veiled reference to the punky English, 80s ska (The Specials, Madness) that inspired its skankin' beats and rocksteady groove, replete with roots horn melodies. It's beginning to feel like Here Comes Tomorrow is a trip through Alex Gimeno's yesterdays. Slip on your Doc Martens and fire up the Vespa for a night of mischief and merriment.

"Boop" moves on solid Ursula-styled house beats and an outré scat swirl by way of Shema Records recording artist, and Italian jazz siren Barbara De Dominicis. Fun, crazy style.

Ursula describes "Mirkin The Mystic" as "magic carpet ride action with eastern influences exotically draped over a Latin funk infection. Rub the magic lamp and see what happens. Cinematic otherworldliness." Definitely in step with fellow ESL artist The Karminsky Experience.

"Urgent/Anxious" is stark punk funk with a decidedly metropolitan, jaded sexiness, thanks to the decidedly nonchalant vocal style of Ze Records disco diva Cristina. Seductive, inviting and so above it all.

Once again, there are no better words than Mr. Gimeno's own to describe "Descarga en la Discoteca", who calls it a "salsa disco party jam featuring Latin supergroup Los Amigos Invisibles. A killer tune inspired by all things Fania. Check out the fun tempo change in the middle section. Puro madness!"

He also describes "Ragnarock" as "loosely based on the Norse mythological last great battle of the gods." Continuing to state "this dreamy piece of psychedelia is a real headphone excursion. In the final sequence, like in the myth, the clouds clear and a new tomorrow emerges."

The closing and title track "Here Comes Tomorrow" delivers a decidedly Bond-esque, Lou Reed infection (albeit Lou Reed rocking some epic beats through the streets of Spain). If this sounds strange for Ursula 1000, you haven't listened to enough of his music. It features vocals by Misty Roses' frontman Robert Conroy, the flamenco guitar work of Federico Aubele, and Spanish trumpet genius of Jose A. Gimeno. This is the first time father and son (Jose and Alex Gimeno) have collaborated together.

Its range of style is nothing if not unexpected. Its quality, both in songwriting and sound are impeccable. The artistic license here is crazily wide open to just about everything, and while it's not exactly typical of Ursula 1000, it is. I lift my martini in salute to a fine piece of eclectic funk.
CD released on Apr 4, 2006, Cat. No.: ESL091
Buy at: iTunes  eMusic  Amazon.com  GEMM

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