Voice augmentation, a la Madonna's "Nobody Perfect" or Cher's "Believe," are just two artists who came to mind when I listened to Tricky Bizzniss, featuring blonde beauty, Trixie Reiss, the former vocalist for the Crystal Method. Unfortunately, she sounded more like she was trying to impersonate those other leading ladies of dance, and I wasn't entirely sold.
Tricky Bizzniss came into existence following the second day that will live in infamy, namely 9/11, as Trixie made her acquaintance with her collaborator, Ernie Lake, on September 10th. The majority of the music harkens back to and is an homage to a varied hybrid heap of 80s genres such as synth-pop, retro-pop, some dirty techno, and dance elements.
The first track, "Cybertronic," I could've sworn was Paula Abdul stepping away from her 'Idol' duties. The chintzy electronic, early 80s faux-drums and synthesizers made me cringe, and here I was thinking that if the first song is usually meant to inspire the listener, this wasn't it. Luckily the music improved after this first dud.
There are two remixes on the CD, but had there not been any I'd have completely written the 'Bizzniss' off. Fortunately, these two remixes are groovy and fun while a majority of the other tracks fell in the 'Hmm—there's potential' range but the CD as a whole—twelve tracks with a running time of fifty-nine and a half minutes, is a moderately good trial by fire to get you to like- let alone dance to- their concoctions.
Trixie Reiss possesses a sultry Electro-Sexy-sounding vocal quality and on Track 6 "C'mon C'mon," reminded me of Lady Kier from the threesome Deee-Lite, but Trixie's voice is layered under perhaps too many synthesizers and thus prohibits one from fully appreciating her true voice—if she even has one that's noticeably different. Nonetheless, the song is fun and positively funky.
There were few songs that I liked, although perhaps a separate EP could very well have been released first in order to test the waters. Still, the strong and seductive vocals of Trixie Reiss didn't quite sway me but at least the musical arrangements were pretty cool courtesy of Ernie Lake and Michael James Nigro that added additional firepower in the form of an array of rhythmic beats that changed as often as Trixie's vocal patterns.
Stand-out tracks—and potential breakouts if remixed well—
Track 3—Love Ain't Money: A poppy drum and bass track with a rap in the middle.
Track 8—Never Again: Great bass guitar sound, accompanying beat, and sultry, sexy vocals.
Track 10—Whirlwind Life
Track 11—Familiar: The only love song that's rife with pop textures but could be an interesting remix.
Track 14—Day To Day: The Georgie Porgie Tribal Club version is really good and very danceable. There's a single featuring other remixes but this version is not amongst them.
Not all of their songs need to be remixed, obviously, but I will say that many of their songs have the potential to be rejuvenated breakouts in the form of extended and remixed versions- but this remains to be seen on a larger scale, though 2007 might very well showcase the 'Bizzniss' through any one high profile producers/remixers.
