Collaboration project between Swiss-Ghanese vocalist Joy Frempong (OY) and Bottin (keyboards, guitar, production), featuring Piero Bittolo Bon (sax, clarinet, electric bass). Produced in 2005, it was only released years later in 2011 by Nang Records (UK). Two 12″ vinyl EPs were released (Jabberwock and New Religion), while the album was distributed digitally.
– discogs.com/artist/1967610-Tinpong
REVIEW (NEW RELIGION)
2010 has been good to Venetian producer Bottin with releases on Eskimo, Bear Funk, Gomma and Perseo to complement remixes for the likes of Sally Shapiro, Telonius and Ali Love as well as a mix CD for Nang Records. It’s the latter who dig into the Bottin archives (nee hard drives) and release this, the first fruits of an old collaborative project with Swiss vocalist Joy Frempong under the name Tinpong. “New Religion” is a skippy 140 BPM cover of the early 80s Duran Duran standard which improves on the original by the simple virtue of Frempong’s breathy vocal delivery which is preferable to Simon Le Bon’s. Brixtonite Marcus Marr rips apart the original and reassembles the parts as a truly impressive late night disco number, replete with a wonderfully broad sounding bassline. Not to be outdone, L.S.B. don and general UK disco standard Pete Herbert steps up with a delightful dub version that sets a dancefloor pace and leaves the most lasting effect.
REVIEW (JABBERWOCKY EP)
The good ship Nang navigates back towards the prosperous musical archives snappily known as Tinpong for a second round of musical excellence from Venetian Bottin and Swiss vocalist Joy Frempong. Last seen giving a Duran Duran classic a high BPM makeover, the Jabberwock release is the first original material culled from the duo’s studio antics recorded over a three year period from 2003 onwards. The title track itself is a low slung 80s leaning vocal disco slinkathon very much in the vein of Tom Tom Club, and comes accompanied by a near unrecognisable remix from Rudy’s Midnight Machine (aka Robin Faze Action) which discards with the niceties for a full on jackin’ dancefloor excursion. Elsewhere tracks such as “Cut Up” and “Diggin’ Side” hint at a real versatility to be found in the remainder of the Tinpong archives.