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review by Bill Binkelman Offering an assortment of both vocal and instrumental tracks, the international consortium of singers and producers who comprise "Fous de la Mer" (Crazy for the Sea) deliver a solid collection of chill-out world-fusion infused tunes that meld electronica, lounge, Mediterranean and South American influences yielding music that is evokes sensuality and sunsets on the beach. Stars and Fishes is the perfect soundtrack for being on a tropical island with a highly attractive person of whichever sex you prefer with your thoughts centered on the more "physical" side of life. However, there is nothing seamy or vulgar here; instead, the music weaves a sense of innocent playfulness through the smooth synthesizer melodies and the funky combination of organic and cyber-beats. Sure, it's sensuous and romantic, but not in an earthy sense; this is class, baby - pure class. The vocal tracks (usually interspersed with the instrumentals) feature a variety of female singers who sing in English, French or Spanish. All of the vocalists are excellent. I particularly liked the gentle sway of the opening "Conmingo" which paints a perfect setting sun soundscape with its lush keys, twinkling bell tones, insistent but subdued pulsing bass beats, and midtempo drums and percussion. My favorite vocal track is the glitchy downtempo "Cosmic Lullaby" which finds a way to transport me to an island bar, late at night, as the torch singer and I are the only ones left in the club and my scotch is almost empty. Glitch beats, fluttering synths and the singer's sultry hushed voice just send pleasant tingles down the old spinal column, folks! The instrumental tracks are where Stars and Fishes really shines, though. As with other releases on the Neurodisc label, engineering is chromium-sheen glossy and within a hair of perfection. The title track has pumping slow dubbish bass beats, exotic percussion, twinkling hand bell tones, and shimmering synths in the background. "Vue Sur La Mer" opens with the sound of waves lapping amidst swelling synths and reverberating clanging tones and slowly unfolds with more reverbed instrumentation and sampled guitar before a steady pulsing rhythm emerges, part ambient and part glitch, morphing into a smooth and steady dose of drum and bass. As Eric Cartman would say "Super sweet!" Some cuts are less spectacular (the violin on "The Real Santi," while well-done tends to sound like it's from another album altogether); but, if you can resist the chugging downtempo beats of "Le Reve Est Mort" when the quasi-Enigma textures and those luxuriant French lyrics pour forth in sexy multi-tracked splendor, you've got more self-control than I do, Bucky! By the time the shuffling rhythms and vocoder vocals of "Waiting for the Sun" herald the album's conclusion, I'm ready to sign my life away to find this mystical island where beautiful people lounge and laze around and enjoy "la dolce vita." God knows, on cold winter Minnesota nights, this is one album that will bring some warmth to me on the dreary and cold nights that stretch on seemingly forever. Well, that and a good fire. |
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