Paris Voice July 2001 Cd Reviews

Human League
“Secrets”
(Papillon/Roadrunner)
Since around 1977, the Human League were among the first pop-synth bands to contribute to what we commonly refer to today as ’80s trash. That is if you’re not trying to herald the 1980s revival, which is, rest assured, happening somewhere. The three remaining members of the League — Phillip Oakey, Susanne Sulley and Joanne Catherall are clearly hoping to jump start the new interest in ’80s bands, and with the recent success of Depeche Mode’s album “Exciter,” who can blame them? But then Dave Gahan has proved consistent in his productions over the last 10 years, whereas the League’s 1995 “Octopus” LP failed to raise anything more than a plucked and painted eyebrow from even the most authentic of mullet-sporting New Romantic revivalists. It’s a good job then that “Secrets” has a bit more wind in its sails. Oakey’s quickfire vocals announce the first title “All I Ever Wanted” barely before the first bar has started, setting a yuppie-paced, no-breakfast-thanks tempo which dominates the other 17 tracks. An overt electronic twist is squeezed out of “122.3 bpm,” formulating a new direction for the group, which may finally take them back to the heights they reached with “Don’t You Want Me?” and the “Dare!” album. Out July 24

The Poets of Rhythm
“Discern/Define”
(Quannum/Pias)
Looking for breaks nobody else has used before has started a buzz on the new funk scene. This means the Poets of Rhythm fit right back into the sampling picture painted by early ’90s hip hop producers like Quannum’s Lyrics Born and DJ Shadow. Hence the unlikely link between the Californian hip hop imprint and the German funk band. It’s like a reunion between an estranged man and wife, where the music sounds as if it’s from another era and is unhappy playing second fiddle to a new lover. It sounds like hip hop made to sound like funk, which is of course the base of today’s rap-oriented music. Old school becomes new school, then — your dad told you not to throw away those old records. Out July 10

Faithless
“Outrospective”
(Cheeky/BMG)
Maxi Jazz’s laconic rap style is taken to new dimensions on this, the third LP from the trance-tastic group founded by Rollo and Sister Bliss. The sleazy, breathy vocals that graced the ground-shaking “Insomnia” have developed into song, maybe a sign of Maxi’s aspirations to follow a solo career to rival that of Rollo’s kid sister, Dido. She churps a few lines on “One Step Too Far,” but on the groove laden “Muhammad Ali” it’s Maxi who steals the show. And with that departure, Faithless once again find themselves in the realms of electro-popdom. Here’s hoping that someone tells them to keep the faith. Out now

Trüby Trio
DJ-Kicks
(Studio K7)
The German club-jazz scene is a small place. Just look at the Trüby Trio: Christian Prommer and Roland Appel work as Fauna Flash who are signed to the Compost label who released the “Glücklich” series by Rainer Trüby, who in turn, just happens to be the founding member of this tantalizingly tasty trio. Flavors are on the Brazilian side of latin house with some supple afro-beat licks thrown in to loosen the limbs. Shake it up, baby! Out Aug 13

Today’s branded, pre-packaged and press released music world is all about buying into the next big thing. And if that thing can be summed up in a short slogan, catchy enough to headline a genre-defining movement, then all the better. Like the trailer to a movie or a foreword to a book, the CD compilation comes complete with a soundbyte eager to tease. Check out the following records and let the sub-title do the talking…

La Taverne du Lac “Une Compilation de Chansons Pénardes” (Lounge/M10)
Breezy assortment of downtempo tracks from Sandro Sachs and his Hamburg band. Electro chillin’ with fizz is what we’re calling it.

Jazz Around The Funk Part 1 “Get A Ride Into The ’70s Urban Jazz Funk” (Follow Me Records)
Honoring the afro-american jazz-funk movement with original ’70s cuts from Herbie Mann, Harvey Mason and Gene Harris, this inner-city selection promises to take you for a ride and that it certainly does.

Trip Do Brasil 2 “Still Mixing Brazilian Vibes With Electronic Beatz” (Small/Sony)
Three years on from the first Trip Do Brasil compilation, they’re still doing exactly what they say on the box. Featuring Doctor Rockit, Isolee and Alex Kid.

Asia Lounge “Asian Flavoured Club Tunes” (Audiopharm)
Heavy oriental choice of… yes, you guessed it, Asian flavored club tunes. A clever extraction of anything remotely ethnic recorded by artists as diverse as Groove Armada and Massive Attack to dZihan & Kamien and Jimi Tenor.



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					Cool Cd’s & hot sounds by Neil Atherton Human League “Secrets” (Papillon/Roadrunner) Since around 1977, the Human League were among the first pop-synth bands to contribute to what we commonly refer to today as ’80s trash. That is if you’re not trying to herald the 1980s revival, which is, rest assured, happening somewhere. The three remaining members of the League — Phillip Oakey, Susanne Sulley and Joanne Catherall are clearly hoping to jump start the new interest in ’80s bands, and with the recent success of Depeche Mode’s album “Exciter,” who can blame them? But then Dave Gahan has proved consistent in his productions over the last 10 years, whereas the League’s 1995 “Octopus” LP failed to raise anything more than a plucked and painted eyebrow from even the most authentic of mullet-sporting New Romantic revivalists. It’s a good job then that “Secrets” has a bit more wind in its sails. Oakey’s quickfire vocals announce the first title “All I Ever Wanted” barely before the first bar has started, setting a yuppie-paced, no-breakfast-thanks tempo which dominates the other 17 tracks. An overt electronic twist is squeezed out of “122.3 bpm,” formulating a new direction for the group, which may finally take them back to the heights they reached with “Don’t You Want Me?” and the “Dare!” album. Out July 24 The Poets of Rhythm “Discern/Define” (Quannum/Pias) Looking for breaks nobody else has used before has started a buzz on the new funk scene. This means the Poets of Rhythm fit right back into the sampling picture painted by early ’90s hip hop producers like Quannum’s Lyrics Born and DJ Shadow. Hence the unlikely link between the Californian hip hop imprint and the German funk band. It’s like a reunion between an estranged man and wife, where the music sounds as if it’s from another era and is unhappy playing second fiddle to a new lover. It sounds like hip hop made to sound like funk, which is of course the base of today’s rap-oriented music. Old school becomes new school, then — your dad told you not to throw away those old records. Out July 10 Faithless “Outrospective” (Cheeky/BMG) Maxi Jazz’s laconic rap style is taken to new dimensions on this, the third LP from the trance-tastic group founded by Rollo and Sister Bliss. The sleazy, breathy vocals that graced the ground-shaking “Insomnia” have developed into song, maybe a sign of Maxi’s aspirations to follow a solo career to rival that of Rollo’s kid sister, Dido. She churps a few lines on “One Step Too Far,” but on the groove laden “Muhammad Ali” it’s Maxi who steals the show. And with that departure, Faithless once again find themselves in the realms of electro-popdom. Here’s hoping that someone tells them to keep the faith. Out now Trüby Trio DJ-Kicks (Studio K7) The German club-jazz scene is a small place. Just look at the Trüby Trio: Christian Prommer and Roland Appel work as Fauna Flash who are signed to the Compost label who released the “Glücklich” series by Rainer Trüby, who in turn, just happens to be the founding member of this tantalizingly tasty trio. Flavors are on the Brazilian side of latin house with some supple afro-beat licks thrown in to loosen the limbs. Shake it up, baby! Out Aug 13 The Next BIG thing… Today’s branded, pre-packaged and press released music world is all about buying into the next big thing. And if that thing can be summed up in a short slogan, catchy enough to headline a genre-defining movement, then all the better. Like the trailer to a movie or a foreword to a book, the CD compilation comes complete with a soundbyte eager to tease. Check out the following records and let the sub-title do the talking… La Taverne du Lac “Une Compilation de Chansons Pénardes” (Lounge/M10) Breezy assortment of downtempo tracks from Sandro Sachs and his Hamburg band. Electro chillin’ with fizz is what we’re calling it. Jazz Around The Funk Part 1 “Get A Ride Into The ’70s Urban Jazz Funk” (Follow Me Records) Honoring the afro-american jazz-funk movement with original ’70s cuts from Herbie Mann, Harvey Mason and Gene Harris, this inner-city selection promises to take you for a ride and that it certainly does. Trip Do Brasil 2 “Still Mixing Brazilian Vibes With Electronic Beatz” (Small/Sony) Three years on from the first Trip Do Brasil compilation, they’re still doing exactly what they say on the box. Featuring Doctor Rockit, Isolee and Alex Kid. Asia Lounge “Asian Flavoured Club Tunes” (Audiopharm) Heavy oriental choice of… yes, you guessed it, Asian flavored club tunes. A clever extraction of anything remotely ethnic recorded by artists as diverse as Groove Armada and Massive Attack to dZihan & Kamien and Jimi Tenor.