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Album Review: Da Lata - Serious (Palm Beats)
Reviewer: Monica Runke
'Sublime' is the word to describe this album release from Da Lata, whose permanent members are multi-instrumentalist Chris
Franck and
DJ/producer Patrick Forge. They have created some unique and beautiful music, fusing afro, Brazilian and broken beats,
with soulful, jazzy vocals, and spinning electronic samples, percussion and the wonderful accordion of Macelo Jeneci da
Silva into the mix.
From the very fist opening chord one knows to take this very seriously! But with a glad heart, since as soon as the vibrant
afro beat of Serious featuring Bembe Segue and Mamani Keita on vocals burts onto the scene, it promises to be an exciting
journey. Breathe follows on with a bassier, organic sound, and slides into the funky lyricism of Pedro Martins, who also
plays guitar on Alice. Jhelisa Anderson enchants us with the hypnotic electronica of Reeling.
There are so many layers to every song, particularly given the variey of sounds- we have Brazilian percussive instruments,
brass, bells, whistles and even frogs. Firefly sounds like a slice of jungle life. Baaba Maal's vocal adds an eastern
dimension which I could also hear in Something, the melody lifted by the accordion like wisps of smoke.
I could single out every musician for their contribution, but I might run out of adjectives and essentially the result of
their labours is best appreciated by the ear. They have done a difficult thing very well and produced an intelligent, well
crafted album full of vibrant warmth - essential listening, particularly in these cold dark days.
RELATED LINKS:
Da Lata Interview - we chat with Patrick and Chris about the album and
more
Serious - more info on the
Palm Beats site
Discography
Buy Serious at Amazon
UK
|
US
RELEASE DATE: Monday 10 November 2003
PUBLISHED: Monday 27 October 2003 2003
To send us music for potential inclusion, email us at
promos@knowtheledge.net
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::: RELATED LINKS
Da Lata Interview - on Know The Ledge
Serious - more info on the
Palm Beats site
Discography
Buy Serious at Amazon
UK
|
US
More Reviews
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