Customer Reviews

Illuminated Audio

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

 

 

This Gigi release is actually the young Ethiopian singer's 2001 self-titled debut album, remixed by producer/bassist Bill Laswell in his New Jersey studio. Ejigayehu "Gigi" Shababaw, the stunning 29-year old diva who just happens to be the new Mrs. Bill Laswell, is mostly in the background here, ambiently manifesting and dissolving in the mix as hubby twiddles the controls. But her ethereal, undulating vocals still thread through the proceedings like the Queen of Sheba seducing Solomon.

Original guest players Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Pharoah Sanders also make ghostly remixed appearances, their sampled solos enhanced, extended and dubbed through Laswell's studio manipulations. Similar to his other recent reworked `mix translations' of Marley (Dreams of Freedom - 1997), Miles (Panthalassa - 1998) and Santana (Divine Light - 2001), Laswell adds his own deep bass bottom, while deconstructing, mutating and rebuilding the essence of the brilliant original mix. Trippy, cool and jazzy, Illuminated Audio is a very creative album that bears many repeated listenings.

I picked up this disc, being familiar with Gigi's solo disc. Well, there are no catchy songs on this. In fact, she barely sings two words in a row. Most of the disc (all of it?) consists of samples, probably from that solo album, reworked into an ambient tapestry of sound. Most of the sound is emphatically electronically, with not a lot of traditional instruments to be discerned in their pure form.

If you can handle that, this is actually a very good ambient (lounge, chill, whatever you want to call it) disc. The sounds used and produced are beautiful, and develop slowly but in an interesting manner. If you're not looking for authenticity or traditional song structure, then as pure sound this is a fine CD.

It is true that this CD is more Laswell than Gigi, but if you appreciate global lounge and a flavorful mixture of layered music spiced with instruments that engage the ear and spirit...then this album is a must-have.

Laswell adds just the right blend of deep soul-awakening percussion and tastes of Gigi's voice, keeping you interested in the subtle changes as you listen through the CD. The music is so gorgeous that I could listen to it for hours.

I especially like that the tracks are continuous, so you can sit down and enjoy the music without the distracting interruptions when the songs change. It comes in great use during my commute home to calm me down after a stressful day or when I have to cram for an exam. It is worth every penny I paid!

I picked up this CD expecting a follow-up to Gigi's amazing
self-titled CD. It turns out to be rehashed tracks mixed into
a blury haze by Bill Lazwell, no new material at all. Maybe
somebody would like it, but it should NOT be a "Gigi" CD,
but a Lazwell CD. I am totally disappointed and would return
it if I could. NOT RECOMMENDED!!!