"Silhouette Brown", the latest full-length project to emerge from the ranks of the West London musical brain center, came as a bit of a surprise to many in the 2000Black fanbase. Though it did not enjoy the prolonged pre-release hype that accompanied keyboardist Kaidi Tatham and producer Dego MacFarlane's DKD project, "Future Rage" (Daz-i-Kue is also a central figure in DKD), this downtempo soul music venture picks up nicely where last year's "Future Rage" left off.
At the risk of sounding like Kaidi and Dego's publicist, I've got to give them heavy props once again. These boys guide us towards a new dimension for modern soul music. Their distinctively London-esque flair- a touch of melancholy in the tone, contemplative yet hopeful lyrics, and enough groove to make every brain cell vibe-strikes a chord with those of us looking for that je ne sais quoi in our regular dosage of "nu soul."
Of the many things which struck me about the CD, the vocal arrangements truly stand out. Deborah Jordan, a relative newcomer to the 2000Black family, flips the script on a call/response method, creating vocal lines that form a conversation wherein parallel thoughts are simultaneously conveyed. The effect is as rich and delicious as double chocolate 3-layered cake. Deborah's best known for her work with London-based avant garde jazz band, Panacea.
She has also forayed into the world of underground soul world working as backing vocalist director for songstress Eska, and as a backing vocalist for Bembe Segue. Deborah's sultry blend of jazz and soul, reminiscent of Patrice Rushen, add exactly the right touch to Kaidi and Dego's music.
"Silhouette Brown" is an album full of the kind of wonderful subtleties that guarantee longevity in the CD changer. "Looking Back" and "Calling You" best capture all the finesse of this long-player, but I trust you'll find the entire journey here one worth staying on for the duration. This one is easily one of the year's best.
