Friday, May 3, 2024

Disc masters the simple things

March 13, 2002

Step aside Marvin Gaye and Al Green, Zero 7 just might have the new best album to accompany lovers’ next “gettin’ busy” session.

Each song progresses with powerful stride, but sticks to a formula of quiet and steady groove.

The use of loops and the dissidence of instruments in each song are perfectly orchestrated.

Each song has its own personality, but stays at a constant spectrum - enough to make the record a treasure.

“Polaris” shudders innocently amidst a terrain of bongos and histrionic effects, while “Destiny” features the harmonization of Sia Furler’s intimate and soft voice.

Producers Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns make up the outfit. The U.K. duo, who have remixed tunes by everyone from Radiohead to Lenny Kravitz to Sneaker Pimps, are nothing less than fantastic.

Vocals are present on only about half of the tracks, and Hardaker and Binns do an admirable job of binding the most picture-perfect vocal chords for every songs’ rich textures.

This isn’t just another electronica, R&B platitude record. Instead, it’s rich with soul and sweet, sweet simplicity - the kind that can be sung along to, and that leaves the listener wanting more.

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