Vertigo - Groove Armada

Okay, okay! I know it’s a bad pun and I can hear your groans from here – but that was the best I could do!

This opinion is about the stunning second studio album from Groove Armada, which was released in 1999 on Zomba Records. Admittedly I kind of missed the boat with them and only recently discovered them via a free CD that came with the “Later” magazine – shame on me! So when I saw it in the bargain basement at Amazon it was purchased ...
...in fact Tom Findlay and Andy Cato who hail from London, but to record this album they headed to the backwaters of Ambleside in Cumbria.

This album is entitled “Vertigo” and it lives in a special section of my CD collection along with Air’s “Moon Safari”, William Orbit’s “Pieces in a Modern Style” and Massive Attack’s “Blue Lines”. This section is of course is the “Chilled Zone” – a.k.a. “Music For Hangovers”. The battlecruise (booze ... more

Okay, okay! I know it’s a bad pun and I can hear your groans from here – but that was the best I could do!

This opinion is about the stunning second studio album from Groove Armada, which was released in 1999 on Zomba Records. Admittedly I kind of missed the boat with them and only recently discovered them via a free CD that came with the “Later” magazine – shame on me! So when I saw it in the bargain basement at Amazon it was purchased immediately! In case you don’t already now Groove Armada are in fact Tom Findlay and Andy Cato who hail from London, but to record this album they headed to the backwaters of Ambleside in Cumbria.

This album is entitled “Vertigo” and it lives in a special section of my CD collection along with Air’s “Moon Safari”, William Orbit’s “Pieces in a Modern Style” and Massive Attack’s “Blue Lines”. This section is of course is the “Chilled Zone” – a.k.a. “Music For Hangovers”. The battlecruise (booze cruise) hardened Ciao-ers out there probably know what I’m talking about. After a late night Saturday clubbing followed by crawling into bed and some ridiculous hour in the morning, the only thing you want to do on the Sunday is to lie in bed and dream that you are somewhere else. Anywhere will do as long as the hangover doesn’t come to. This is where this album fits in as Groove Armada’s chilled melodies and soothing instrumentals drip with a tropical sound conjuring up the dreamy feeling your in paradise…

1. Chicago

This is the opening track to the album and it is nothing more than an ambient instrumental. The tune is held together by a simple rhythmic and a funky guitar sample. Mix in a bit of electronica and hey prets, you get an awesome chilled out sound carrying your mind off to your own personal nirvana. A fantastic introduction to get you in the mood for whatever.

2. Whatever, Whenever

This track comes as a bit of a shock to the system as the blissful ambience gives way to an urban hip-hop sound. Although the vibes are still chilled, the addition of a more defined bass-line and rapping, courtesy of M.A.D., gives the track a dirtier, funkier sound. A lot of people I know have mistaken this for the work of Massive Attack, and I can clearly see why. The credits say that there is an element of “Inside Out” by American Gypsy in their somewhere.

3. Dusk You and Me

This track slows the tempo right down to a near stand still. It is a really atmospheric piece of music with the haunting sounds provided by a lonely saxophone and a string section. The Platters provide the lyrics courtesy of a sample of “Twilight Times”. I have to admit that this is one of my favourite songs at the moment

4. Pre 63

This is a complicated multi-layered track. It opens with a serving of horns, kickhorns, three different types of saxophone and a flugelhorn being gently blended together before the addition of a tinkly beat. Next stir in a strong base melody, a dancey drum beat with a hint of flute. After leaving to simmer add some sampled lyrics and a dash of trumpet solo before serving. Sound like a recipe for disaster? Well suprisingly not in this case as you end up with a great upbeat, funk-fuelled track.

5. If Everybody Looked the Same

You’ve probably already heard this as it features on the Mercedes Benz adverts (No not the one asking whether God will buy me one – that’s Janis Joplin) and it is the most swing-out track on the album and arguably the finest work to date. It is a faster paced track than the previous and is dominated by a great backbeat. Vocals are provided by Gramma Funk and samples of “We are neighbours” and “1nce again” are thrown in for good measure.

6. Serve Chilled

After the breakbeat of the last track, the pace of the album once again returns to a leisurely amble. This song sounds as though it belongs on the soundtrack of a movie akin to “Close Encounters” with its, eerie alien like sounds. Another finely crafted multi-layered piece, which features bongos, and maracas to give a tribal feel. Overall, this piece has a darker edge to it but it still remains easy listening.

7. I See You Baby

Another tune found on the TV. “I see you Baby, shaking that ass….” Is sung once again by Gramma Funk over a “stripped to the bone” drum rhythm. Minimal electronica sounds have been added, but it still sounds fantastically funky.

8. A Private Interlude

This opens with echoing electronica and scratching effects before a soothing melodic rhythm kicks in. Finally the introduction of a latinesque guitar sample lends a distinctly urban sound, yet the feeling is more exotic.

9. At The River

This song sounds as though it was stolen straight from Morcheeba’s music book. This is a beautiful ambient track over which a simple saxophone melody is played. The dreamy lyrics are from “Old Cape Cod” and paint pictures of summer beach holidays in your mind. I don’t think a song could ever sound more chilled and relaxed than this.

10. In My Bones

Opening with the sounds of whales and dolphins calling before a samba style beat is introduced. The tune is livelier than before but the percussion is more of an industrial racket, over the top of this a vocal sample by Gramma Funk “House Music” is repeated. Strangely, it works.

11. Your Song

Your song has a much softer sound than previous but it is still down right funky. The beautiful vocals are by Sophie Barker, and she is not to unlike Sade and Keeling Lee supplies the guitar.

12. Inside My Mind (Blue Skies)

This was the track through which I was first introduced to Groove Armada as it was included on a Later magazine CD called Serve Chilled (If you ever see it in the bargain bins in a second hand CD shop its worth checking out). This is the final track and is another finely crafted track which boasts a soothing rhythm and a memorable melody. The male vocals are taken from a sample of “Blue Skies” by Dick Haynes and female vocals are provided once again by Sophie Barker.

I must admit that I`m not a big fan of dance music generally although I do own a few of the more classic albums. If you are a big dance fan then you probably already have a copy of this. I guess if you are like me and liked Moby’s “Play” or anything by Morcheeba and/or Massive Attack then I think you would love this. As it is a few years old now and Groove Armada recently released a new album called “Goodbye country, Hello Nightclub” so it can often be found in the sales. I paid only £6.99 and I consider it as a definite bargain.

Scruff 19/12/01
 

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