There is music that makes you move and music that moves you. But sometimes there is music whose primary purpose is to be in the background-hence the creation of down-tempo.
It’s that music you hear in swanky lounges, when everybody’s too cool to dance because they don’t want to risk wasting a cosmo on those $400 Manolos.
Well, the newest release in this genre is the Jazzanova-compiled soundtrack “Belle et Fou,” a mix of new tracks and offerings from other Sonar Kollektiv artists like Clara Hill and Thief.
I’ve always been weary of soundtracks because they usually have problems with cohesion, but this one maintains a seamless flow and is sequenced almost perfectly, most likely due to Jazzanova’s experience as DJs.
The album’s opener, “Rendezvous,” is an obvious homage to soul legend Barry White. Vocalist Capitol A does his best impression of “The Maestro,” as strings and flutes dance over a solid groove. While the style is not exactly new, they do his sound justice and the result is the kind of sexy, sophisticated soul that exemplified White’s career.
Another highlight is Clara Hill’s “Maybe Now,” a track that can also be heard on her own release, “Restless Times.” Hill has one of the most gorgeous voices in music, and it’s perfectly displayed here.
She’s reminiscent of Sade because she never overpowers the music. Her vocals are more an extension of the song rather than being the star of the show. On this track, she has an almost celestial quality to her voice. Combine that with breezy melodies and ill drums and you have a lovely track.
My favorite track is a reworking of the Jazzanova track “That Night.” It originally featured vocalist Vikter Duplaix and had a more broken-beat feel. They replaced Vikter with Clara Hill and stripped down the production. The final result is a beautiful, jazzy rendition of the song. Again, Hill sounds perfect over the piano and sparse percussion.
Another favorite is the Outlines track “Just a Lil’ Lovin’.” The crew takes the classic song “Just a Little Loving,” most notably performed by Dusty Springfield, and injects a new energy into it. The original version is a personal favorite, but it is a bit melancholy. Here, they chop the vocals, add a new bassline and new lyrics to give a more upbeat sound. It’s very danceable in a house party/lounge kind of way.
My only issue with the disc is that if you pay attention to this genre, then you’ve heard at least five of these tracks on other releases. It is a good starting place for people who are just getting a taste of the genre, though.
If you like this, then Jazzanova’s “In Between” and the aforementioned Clara Hill release are must-haves because they’re more well-rounded.
Bottom line: not all music is meant to be an adventure in musicality.
Sometimes music is just pretty-sounding stuff you play in the background. This is a perfect album to listen to while you chill and read a book. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before, but it is done really well. So, if you’ve got a few extra bucks, add it to your collection.
