Etro Anime - See the Sound

When I first picked up this CD, my friend told me that he had an "electro-jazz" CD for me to review. Chuckling a bit, I said, "oh, electro-jazz huh... Like there's any difference between nu-jazz, acid-jazz, and all that stuff." Well, I must say that I put my foot in my mouth on that one. The New York based Etro Anime is exactly what could be described as "electro-jazz."

Coming from New York they played clubs such as Izzy Bar and Spiral Lounge, but it was not until 2004 that we are seeing a full length artist album. This interesting band is composed of Tom Welch, Shambo Pfaff, David Fisher, Tom Birkley, and Cuban-born vocalist Lissett Alea. Their music is true fusion of drum & bass, house, and trip-hop with sexy flowing vocals. They crank up the first track "Purest One," with a drum & bass flavor, melding it with some dark loops and beautiful work on the keys. It is a very exciting start to an interesting showcase. They bring out a bit more of the trip-hop sound on the song "Portrait." It is totally reminiscent of a Tricky song, but not as hardcore. The band's first release "Summer Rain" entered The National Dance chart at number 29 and with good reason. They came at this track with a funky house vibe and it makes me think of summer beach parties that never stop. It is quite a beautiful song.

Etro Anime is not even afraid of a little hip-hop either. On "Diablo" they put in a harder bass line with some scratching and elegant vocals laid over top. It's what you might get if you mixed Mark Farina with Jazzy Jay and added a splash of Nelly Furtado. Drum & bass re-enters the equation on the song "Adonis." The lighter rhythms come together nicely with Alea's soothing vocals. This album is all about breaking down boundaries that stand in dance music and fusing the styles together, harmoniously. Ending this fifty-five minute disc is the track "Either Way." This song definitely shows how it would be either way. It is eleven minutes long and is two different songs in one. The first half has more of a pop sound with guitar riffs and a live percussion sound. Two and a half minutes after the end of the first part, "Either Way" enters its second phase. This song describes the bliss and pain of being involved with someone. It is a very moving song and enlightens the listener to the deep side of the group.

This album is well produced and they show promise of capitalizing on the US dance market. Be on the lookout for Etro Anime in clubs and festivals worldwide and there CD in stores in near you.