Customer Reviews

Divine Operating System

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Although there are a few personnel changes, this second SBOL album smoothly builds upon their debut. I've never heard of this group being compared to Pizzicato Five, but on a number of the tracks SBOL shows a similar knack for fusing retro-pop musical elements with contemporary production (samples, MIDI programming, turntables, etc.). On several cuts the resemblance to P5 is too close to call (that is, until vocalist Geri Soriano-Lightwood begins singing).

I don't want to make too much of the P5/SBOL comparison though, because for the most part SBOL twists pop's past and present into a distinctive, fluid style of their own. At times the music is aligned with such recent musical trends such as trip-hop (e.g., SO MUCH MORE). Yet there are a lot of fresh nods to 1970s funk and r&b, from vocoder vocals to wah-wah guitars, cool string arrangements, and rhythms that at times find a middle-ground between funk and disco (e.g., DIVINE, TOUCH ME). If you are the type who likes to dissect lyrics, probably SBOL is going leave a little bit to be desired, even if the words are hardly lightweight (e.g. GHETTO). Even so, the focus is on song structures rather than extended grooves, being that most of the tracks clock in at around 4 minutes. Perhaps the key to SBOL's distinctiveness is the balance between the often witty arrangements and Geri's smooth, soulful vocals. The results show that the group doesn't take itself too seriously, but not too lightly either.

Recommended if you liked the first album, and also if you want to hear well-sung, smooth-grooving music that creatively bridges 1970s r&b/soul/funk with today's production techniques. Perhaps my strongest endorsement is that I've had the CD for 5 days and played it at least that many times, with no signs that I'm going to let up anytime soon!

Although the Supreme Beings of Leisure have been trimmed down to a two-person band (Lead singer Geri Soriano-Lightwood and Ramin Sakurai), their sound has not gotten any smaller. The duo's second album, 'Divine Operating System', is far more daring than the original, with blaring trumpets, bolder vocals, and a fully developed, almost epic sound to it. Some songs even use a full-piece orchestra.

One thing I love about Supreme Beings of Leisure is that although their music always encompasses a vast range of styles, the albums they put together always have flow and continuity. The group can go from Downtempo to Trip-Hop to IDM and bring it all together logically. The best tracks in my opinion are almost entirely in the beginning half of the album: 'Give Up', 'Catch Me', and 'Get Away'. 'Give Up' and 'Get Away' lend a very energetic and upbeat intro to the CD, while 'Catch Me' has more of a relaxed, cool, and loungey feel to it. Many songs in the end half are style-listically meant for the dance floor, but are also very good. You can catch some faint traces of Disco and House music with tracks like 'Touch Me' and 'Perfect'.

>> 4 stars for another sleek, sexy, and classy winner. The first album is in many ways stronger, but that's not to say that there aren't at least a few gems on this one.

- the enlightened one

Supreme Beings of Leisure's second album DIVINE OPERATING SYSTEM is one of my favorite house/funk sets from 2002. It opens up with the club ready "Give Up", and the party keeps going until the album is done, making you wish for more. Supreme Beings of Leisure is comprised of Geri Soriana-Lightwood, who provides wonderful vocals, and Ramin Sakurai, who provides music and programming. Aamin Sakurai plays various instruments over the album. The sound is a hybrid of disco, funk, house, R&B, and more. If you enjoyed their first album, you will enjoy this one, and you will enjoy this album if you like this type of music. Well sung vocals over all tracks, with mesmerizing beats and textures in each song. Set highlights include "Ghetto", "Freezer", "Perfect", "Divine", "Touch Me" and "Get Away". An enjoyable music experience. Check it out.

This CD is fantastic. I love every track on the album; when was the last time every track on a CD was great?

The music is instrumentally creative, very danceable, zippy but with intelligent lyrics, a little angsty, and very sexy. I'm not a musicologist, but if I had to come up with a phrase to describe what this album offers, I'd say "sensual funk lounge." A blend of world, 70s, sensual jazz, hip hop, lounge, and dance, the music on this album can't be stuffed into any one easy category. What this music can do is get your body moving. Be prepared to burn some calories when you put this one on.

The Supreme Beings of Leisure flaunt fly-by-night funk and sexy disco sleaze on this, their sophomore album. They've lost a couple members since their self-titled debut, and their sound has a little less grit, but their groove isn't hurt at all by their new slippery slink. If anything, the spirit is the same, resulting in another stellar collection of sly and sassy ballroom lounge.

Sprinkled with Middle Eastern flair and heady with pumping, big-band-beats, songs like "Give Up" and "Get Away" give the album its thumping pulse. Waltz-inspired and blooming with bass, songs like "Catch Me" and "Freezer" give the album its sleek, sultry spirit. Fill in the gaps with candle-lit rhythms ("Calamity Jane"), up-tempo gloom ("Ghetto"), and jazzy electronica ("Touch Me") and you've got a wickedly sensual and soul-hearty album that's worth the price of admission.

Not only have I played this album incessantly for the last few weeks, I saw most of the tracks performed live recently to a bouncing crowd (a full house)--and flawlessly. And the packed house confirmed my feelings about the sound! A bouncing, grooving, fun retro-funk-trip hop adventure. Everyone I play this cd for loves it. Yes, it is indeed a departure from the more typical trip hop sound of their amazing first album, however, Geri and Ramin prove that they truly are musical soulmates as implied on the sleeve. This CD is fun, smooth and sexy all at once!

The group's second album delivers on the starting point from their first. Another album worthy of a dinner party (where the wine keeps on flowin) as well an excellent album to work out to. It warms you up, sets u on fire, and chills u out. Everything I expected from Geri and Ramin. Can't wait to see them on tour this November.

A solid musical collection, just like their debut release. Great music. But I would issue a word of caution for those salivating over the prospects of SBL eye candy on the included DVD. VERY lame. Would have been better left out of the packaging.

First, I don't understand why so many reviews of this disc are negative possibly this record is too smart for a pedestrian audience? DOS is a beautiful record full of warmth, texture, and a solid blend of upbeat dance rythms and slow grooves. What's more, this is a very diverse record. At times I feel like I'm listening to updated 70's disco/funk, at other times, the record feels like Goldfrapp's 'Felt Mountain', or a Bond soundtrack, and then there are such gems as 'freezer' that make feel like I'm listening to something programed by Human League or OMD. A great record for both relaxing and dancing.

I have had this particular album for a few months now. I got it
imported from Los Angeles in May 2005 and to tell u the truth THIS ALBUM IS DA BOMB!!!!!!!!! This album has got a very seductive, tantalising, sway of unique beats. I have this album and also the Self titled album. I am really impressed how both albums compliment each-other with beautiful bass lines, SLINKY and twisted flavours to it as-well. My favourite song of all on Divine Operating System is ''TOUCH ME''. I love the female vocalist in this song because she adds carisma to this song by her voice. This song also has a very cabaret, slinky house,strutty, bar culture to it.I personally recommend this Album to any person who is in to Deep House, Lounge and Bar Cultured-type music.I am a fan of this artist all the way from Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast, In Australia. This album is a Must for the Club-Goer.