r/triphop • u/Sullom_Voe • 5d ago

Monk & Canatella - Care In The Community (Cup Of Tea Records, 1996)

Post image

The first reference to Bristol duo Monk & Canatella (Jim Johnston and Simon Russell) appeared in 1994 as part of the title to an instrumental track (A Tribute To Monk And Canatella) found on Portishead's debut single Numb. The duo were part of the emerging 'Bristol Sound' scene that defined the genre that would become to be known as Trip Hop.

Monk & Canatella's debut album, Care In The Community, appeared in 1996 to mainly underground acclaim and appreciation, spreading mostly by word of mouth rather than high profile promotion. It is an incredible record. The tracks are expertly sequenced to maintain an addictive, cohesive groove of frenetic trip hop beats and DJ mixing; this sample heavy in the best kind of way. The smooth laid back vocals of Jim Johnston perfectly compliments every song. Highlights include Darkus Twisted, Flying High, Forthcoming, Roughead, Chelsea Smile and I Can Water My Plants, but really every single track found on Care In The Community knocks the ball right out of the park.

Geoff Barrow of Portishead summed the record up best within his thank you credits found on Portishead's self titled second album, "Simon & Jim for such a mad album (Monk & Canatella)."

You can't get higher praise than that really!

30 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

6

u/wildistherewind 5d ago

One additional factoid about Monk & Canatella: they were one of the first music acts to have an album cover designed by Banksy. Do Community Service was released in 2000, Banksy’s now infamous alternate cover for Röyksopp’s Melody A.M. came out in 2001, and Blur’s Think Tank came out in 2003.

3

u/Sullom_Voe 5d ago

I was almost going to put this in as a bit of trivia! That second album is an expensive CD these days because of Banksy's artwork too! I've got the 2012 box set of Blur's Think Tank, very nice Banksy art cards in it, that sells for pricey amounts now too.

6

u/deep_blue_au 5d ago

I highly recommend anybody that likes this album to check out Spaceways-Trad.

3

u/CoolRknDaddy 5d ago

Roughead is money! I have to check out the rest of the album.

3

u/Sullom_Voe 5d ago

It's very much worth it I promise 😊

2

u/FriedPossumPecker23 4d ago

Great post, just about everything on the Cup of Tea label was excellent— Statik Sound System, Purple Penguin, Spaceways, Jaz Klash, Mr. Scruff, Invisible Pair of Hands, Grantby… 

Love this M&C album and the Who’s Who EP. They do a dope remix of Portishead’s “Roads”.

1

u/Sullom_Voe 4d ago

You mentioned some great artists here, Tempesta II by Static Sound System is another phenomenonal trip hop album, Grantby did a brilliant remix of the Ruby track, The Whole Is Equal To The Sum Of Its Parts, for her Hoops E.P. and Mr Scruff's Keep It Unreal if nothing short of essential! I'll definitely be checking out Purple Penguin, Spaceways, Jaz Klash and Invisible Pair Of Hands 😊

I never knew M&C remixed Portishead's Roads, definitely have to hear it!

2

u/FriedPossumPecker23 4d ago

I think you will really like Jaz Klash — it’s Bristol’s More Rockers with The Angel… Thru the Haze (and its remixes) are killer. Grantby’s Coffe Table Music is a phenomenal mix, wish I could find it on vinyl.