- Crackpot are a Melbourne based trio comprised of vocalist Jade D'Adrenz, multi-instrumentalist Martin "Moose" Lubran and DJ Ransom as the main contingency of the group. Signed to Tim "Love" Lee's Tummy Touch label, the group's records have consistenly found themselves in the crates and record boxes of the downtempo elite. 4 years in the making, Crackpot have finally put the final touches on their debut LP, Shelp Hypnosis.
Foot Through A Cloud brings out the group's psychedelic funk side dropping funky acid induced bass combined with Jade's sleazy vocal stylings make this tune ooze sexuality. Heavy Flowers ups the tempo to a feel good summer tune featuring funky guitar licks and a scratching solo by Ransom during the break.
Tippy Tippy Toe was the groups first single release way back in 99/2000 and had featured on Tummy Touch's "I Am Fearless Funky And Five" 5 year celebration release. It's an outing of jazzy piano melodies and vocals with a melodic double bass bassline. It had found so much favour with label boss Tim "Love" Lee that he decided to pull off a remix of the tune himself. Sat Day Night was another early tune for the group and sees the group tackle disco grooves incorporating disco guitar licks, a funky synth melody with DJ Ransom cutting and scratching phrases on the turntable.
God Behind The Couch drops the tempo and incorporates a distinct latin jazz feel minimising the drums so Jade is accompanied by a spacey synth and electro bassline. It provides a perfect precursor to Slide again which is on a slow tip opening up with minimal drum beats before the funk kicks in and Jade is helped out by slow funk drumming and Ransom on the cut.
The good thing about Crackpot is the way they combine elements of funk, groove and jazz with awesome lyricism and turntablism. Shelf Hypnosis is a good album for home listening and definitely brings a smile to everyone's faces. Comes complete with an inlay card detailing the Crackpot philosophy - worth a read.
Tracklist1 Foot Through A Cloud (4:25)
2 8 Little Sheep (4:12)
3 Interlude (0:41)
4 Heavy Flowers (4:47)
5 Tippy Tippy Toe (4:51)
6 Interlude (0:29)
7 Planes (4:58)
8 Sat Interlude (0:31)
9 Sat Day Night (4:08)
10 God Behind The Couch (2:52)
11 Slide (4:16)
12 3 Cracks (6:04)
13 Love Expecting You (4:43)
14 Puppies Aren't Just For Christmas (8:13)