Tatum Rush - Guru Child

by Dave Goodwin

published: 27 / 4 / 2016

Label: Pulver und Asch
Format: CD

Eccentric but likeable debut from San Diego-born singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Tatum Rush

Review

Tatum Rush, who was born in San Diego and was raised in Italy and Switzerland, had an early start to his musical life whilst playing jazz guitar in after-work wine bars, but currently his music incorporates a mix of R&B and a camp sexually-ambiguous sort of karaoke. Rush is also a one-man band who incorporates together being a singer and songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer and obviously records everything himself. His live stage shows are something to behold also because during these late-night excursions he is escorted on stage by virtuoso drummers and a trail of exotic young dancing geishas. He hasn't always been a solo act though. He has collaborated with a diverse range of other artists, and was the bassist twice in the rock band Great Black Waters. 'Guru Child' is, however, the debut offering of Rush's own material. The tracks for this album were actually started way back in 2011, believe it or not, in a cement tower in the remote village of Brunnen, Switzerland. If that rings any bells with you, it's because it is near the obscure Maharishi Mahesh Yogi temple, which has been visited by personalities such as the Beatles and David Lynch. This is where Björn Magnusson’s recording studio is situated, which is filled with various old, clunky machines and has apparently a dungeon-like coldness that rises upwards from the echo chambers down below. Despite all of this, Tatum Rush has instigated a tropical heat sound into his first solo recording. It's an album that is diverse and rich in sound and couples acid vibes with buzzing guitars. Some critics have claimed that even a few Motown grooves can be heard if you dig deep enough. I am not sure about that, but it certainly has the funk. Rush's lyrics reflect on the trials and tribulations of various relationships, self-help, sex and nostalgic daydreams, and apparently seven out of the twelve songs were inspired by a long stay in a billionaire’s mango farm in Brazil. Pretty random eh? Some of the tracks on here also pack a little humour while others are more serious, but if you like music that is fifty shades of soul and R&B, and which sounds enormously like Prince in places, but mixed up with a healthy dose of 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' then this will appeal to you. The starter 'Scatter my Smithereens' to my surprise reminds me of a James Bond track. 'Fertiliser' has some great 80's funky beats and complimentary female harmonies tagging along, as does the title track which has a huge, infectious Prince vibe. 'Tenerife' is also reminiscent of Prince and is a moody, slow-chugging number, while 'Brother Wood' changes direction slightly with its wandering guitar work and vague ska beats. The last track 'Space Perenium' is probably the strongest and has a definite JK flavour. It is colourful and wild in places with a serious note around every corner but essentially fun. The album was produced by Rush himself along with Björn Magnusson and Zeno Gabaglio in different locations.

Track Listing:-

1 Scatter My Smithereens
2 Your Vacations
3 Fertilizer
4 Get You
5 Guru Child Money Child
6 Making It Look Easy
7 Tenerife
8 Brother Wood
9 Supercollider
10 Distractions
11 Burn Some Gas
12 Space Perineum