Review Summary: Refreshing with warmth and organic atmosphere.
Electronic music has varying forms of expression. It can be cold, unforgiving, and lifeless. Other times it can be warm, engaging, and beautiful. Whichever it is aimed towards can be a huge reason why or why not you disagree with what the artist aims for. Both aspects of it can work on a multitude of levels, not only towards your mood, but also to the atmosphere of artist’s work. Quantic uses warm style of electronic music with a fusion of jazz, soul, and funk heaped together. The man behind the music is Will Holland who released his sophomore effort ‘Apricot Morning’ in 2002 only a year after his debut.
The tantalizing and warmth that ‘Apricot Morning’ exudes is great fun because of its various forms of music it encompasses. The self-titled opener displays masterful warmth of electronic all over. The funky, salsa infused ‘Transatlantic’ still contains the same style of the intro while adding simple guitar work with hand drums. Quantic uses varying instruments in this album; the main constant is by far the background music that has a catchy tune that sticks with you. As simplistic as ‘Transatlantic’ is, it still gives quite an impression with the lack of variance and concise repetition. This type of linear movement throughout the album is constant, the greatest asset that sticks with all of these tracks are the amount of prowess Quantic uses for the atmosphere of every track. Every track either contains an abundance of jazz, soul, salsa, funk that embodies it extremely well.
It’s difficult to use many instruments without losing some sense of identity within any album and Quantic does use some obscure stuff. I only state the hand drums being my favorite because it adds a lot of personality towards the atmosphere not only alleviating its rhythm, but also enhancing the looping repetition of the percussion. Every track contains a soulful or jazzy feel to it that brings your mood a state of happiness whether you are or aren’t.
"Trouble From The River" is eerie enough to be notable on this album. The first 2 minutes driven by an electronic upbringing and small piano keys here and there on repeat. It isn't until the saxophone is introduced are we given the warmth 'Apricot Morning' brings from every track. "Trouble From The River" is by far one of the best tracks on this album and is worth mentioning by itself. Small intervals of saxophone against the electronic/piano course through this so fluid and remarkably well.
Most of this album is void of vocals, but when they’re used they’re soulful and easy-going just as jazzy soulful music should be. “Search The Heavens” is given an excellent vocal performance by Alice Russell with the company of hand drums, small amounts of bass, and saxophone to our delight. Both performances by Russell (“Search The Heavens” and “Sweet Calling”) are fantastic adding an extra element to an already funky time (haha). “Primitive Boogalo” enters another guest performance by the hip-hop outfit named the Aspects who shine on the hand drum hip-hop affair. The vocal performances that have a substantial difference from most of the album have the most to offer on ‘Apricot Morning’.
This album is something that should be looked at for a fusion of genres. Some could state Quantic’s offering contains downtempo, chillout, or even nu-jazz elements that mix well with the minimal amount of guest spots and vocals in the entire album. If you’re looking for something to relax too and enjoy some much-needed organic music with a touch of different elements than Quantic’s ‘Apricot Morning’ is what you need.
This Message Edited On 03.10.09
