Customer Reviews

Hommes

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow. Les Hommes have finally arrived on shore and it's thanks to the ESL label, that of Thievery Corporation, who did something similar with "Jet Sounds" by Nicola Conte and "Nothing Changes Under the Sun" with Blue States.

I recommend picking up a compilation of their music before you get this release. Check out Boss-A-Troniq 2, or Break & Bossa Vol 5 to hear samples of what they are like. I only say that because their style is in fact jazzy, but it focuses on keyboards and organs - which may not be everyone's cup of team. I'd label their style in the jazz, lounge sort of area.

Familiar will be Hommage, as heard on Break & Bossa vol 5, and Pousada Do Amor, as heard on Nueva Bossa NOva. you will not find "The Hand of Tenorio", as that is on their EP release Mood Is Modal. That said, this is a good release. Some of the tracks are too short, IMO, but for the most part this is pretty good. The inner booklet contains what are perhaps the inspiration for the tracks - you really do sense that from "Pousada Do Amor".

Oh, and for the Break & Bossa vol 5 fans, the lovely voice is Rosalia De Souza. And... for the Schema label fans - Rosalia De Souza is releasing a feature album with Nicola Conte in November, 2002.

I got hip to this group on Water Music's "Jazz Lounge" with the funky "Intraspettro", next I heard them on Acid Lounge in Space with "In Spring"...Both outstanding tracks--Naturally, I had to get the CD. Of course, I had to order it online, and it took forever to get to me, but the wait was well worth it. Every track on LES HOMMES is a stand-out, ranging from styles of acid jazz to swing to bossa nova to funk and samba. Despite it's minimal duration of 45:17, LES HOMMES is a truly spectacular effort that brings to mind old spy movies, sleazy night clubs and high society cocktail parties. Full of live instrumentations and sultry, haunting female vocals, this one is sure to get several repeat plays with jazz and downtempo enthusiasts alike. Buy it, throw some shades on, jump into your convertible (or whatever you own), pop it in and see if you don't feel like some James Bond/Katherine Hepburn wanna-be!

WOWW! esta produccion es lo maximo que he escuchado en estos nuevos generos de acid jazz-nu bossa nova, simplemente te hace volar la imaginacion y hacerte ver que estas dentro de una cinta de espias con un twist de grooviness de los 60's, el sonido es super clean con cada instrumento, perfectamente acoplado para dar una sensacion unica de jovialidad, yo en lo personal disfruto cada cancion , no hay una sola q sea mala a mi parecer. el instrumento llamado vibraphone le da el toqe retro a las piezas, simplemente hay q comprarlo para poder saber lo que describo. comprenlo!! es simplemente excelente. Gracias a ESL Music por poner en el mercado tan buenos grupos del genero como Les Hommes y por su puesto los grandes de Thievery Corporation entre otros.

If you know the 18th Street Lounge, you know what to expect from Les Hommes and their self-titled debut: mellow, jazzy, delicious. Tracks like the funky and luscious "Intraspettro" help elevate this album above some of its contenders, but, as a whole, it never reaches any new, dizzying heights, either. There's plenty of the cinematic music (the dark and moody "Weegee") and free-wheeling, Italian jazz (the bouncy "Pousada Do Amor" or "Hommage") that have become ESL's trademarks. What's not to like, really?

Let your mind open to something genuinely brilliant. I am a huge fan of the new synthesis music eg., ESL music. There is a depth and beauty here beyond all else. I have most ESL artists and many 6 degrees and asian underground artists. This is my current favorite. I think it is genius. May not be rockish enough for some of this genre fans and that is why I say let go. Let your mind go to a space where all joy exists.

This cd is amazing. It brings to mind the sounds of the Exodus Quartet, which was pretty much the start of the new-bossa nova genre. It has a sound similar to the Murkatroyd trio and Theivery Corporation. A touch of Nicola Conte can be heard, even though he has nothing to do with this album. If you are into anything bossa nova, get this cd, you will not be disappointed.