Pursuit of Happiness

Weekend Players | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B00008DKDC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,052 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I'll Be There

2. Best Days of Our Lives

3. 21st Century

4. Jericho

5. Pursuit of Happiness

6. Angel

7. Into the Sun

8. Subway

9. Play On

10. Through the Trees

11. Higher Ground

12. I'll Be There [Soul Mekanik Remix][*]

13. Into the Sun [Static Revenger Mix Edit][Edit][*]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The unique collaboration between Groove Armada's Andy Cato and left-field jazz/dance singer Rachel Foster that first premiered in the summer of 2001 gets an extended airing on the Pursuit of Happiness. The album is a decidedly laid-back affair, which never breaks above the "at rest" pulse of "Into the Sun." It's clear to see why so many have compared the Foster/Catto collaboration with Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn, as most of the tracks are strongly reminiscent of Everything But the Girl. "Best Days of Our Lives" and "Angel" also follow the pleasurable "spaced" style developed on Sade's Lovers Rock. Echoes of Groove Armada's infamous "At the River" feature heavily on "Jericho" and on the windswept album closer "Higher Ground." While all the stereotypical chill-out clichés can be used to describe the album ("lazy summer afternoon music," "4am post-clubbing soundtrack"), Pursuit of Happiness is perhaps three years too late, and although pleasant enough, serves as a quaint reminder of the summer of ‘99. --John Galilee

Product Description

A collection of stunning songs that provides the perfect soundtrack to long lazy days. They range from funky anthem-style dance floor fillers to dreamy ballads. 13 tracks including two bonus tracks, 'I'll Be There' (Soul Mekanik Remix) & 'Into The Sun' (Static Revenger Mix Edit). Multiply Records. 2002 & 2003.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreamy electro-Brit-pop, October 1, 2004

By 

Russell Evansen "revansen" (Waunakee, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pursuit of Happiness (Audio CD)

Like so many of my favorite artists, Weekend Players would still be unknown to me if I had to rely on radio to introduce me to good music. Fortunately, I discovered them through the "Ultra Chill" compilation CDs, which have been consistently worth the price in terms of suggesting new artists to investigate. The first song I heard was "Jericho" (on Ultra Chill 04 - another good buy) and I was immediately smitten by the smooth grooves and Rachel Foster's Tracey Thorn-like voice. Many people have compared Weekend Players to EBTG, but they also compare favorably to trip-pop groups like Morcheeba and electronica artists like Chicane. The mood here is relaxed and sultry, the tunes are infectious and the vocals are lovely. What more could you ask?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, please, may I have another?, November 6, 2005

By 

Zengrrl (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pursuit of Happiness (Audio CD)

I love, love, love this CD. It has been in constant rotation (at home, in my car, at work, on my iPod, at the gym) since 2003. This tops my list of desert island CDs.

It is so dreamy and relaxing, but not in the obvious formulaic downtempo way. Rachel Foster's voice sends me spinning. And can Andy Cato do any wrong? With Groove Armada, Weekend Players and Caia under his belt, I think not.

I actually bought this CD on a lark - I loved the album cover, the artist's name, and it was at a "new artist" price of $9.99. I didn't realize until later that Andy Cato was the mastermind behind the project, or I would have bought it the day it was released.

"Jericho" is easily one of my all time favorite songs. Rachel Foster's voice on this song, along with the sensual lyrics, leaves you wanting more, and do they deliver more. The entire CD is lazy and sensuous, so sophisticated without feeling at all contrived. Every song is a standout, one melting into the other, yet all with a distinctive sound. "I'll Be There", "Best Days of Our Lives", "Pursuit of Happiness" and "Higher Ground", along with "Jericho" are forever etched into my being. I know that this is one of those CDs that I will carry with me through life. Dramatic, I know, but that is how much I love it.

My message? Buy, play, repeat. I pray there is a sophomoric release for this side project and the sooner, the better.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome debut!, May 12, 2003

By 

R. Coley "pizicato5" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pursuit of Happiness (Audio CD)

The pursuit of happiness by Weekend players is a pursuit well worth your time. As an Everything but the girl fan, I was really pleased to hear a similar type of feel. If you like Tracy Thorn's vocals, you'll love Rachel Foster's! She sounds like Sade in a couple of songs, which is not a bad thing at all. "Higher ground" is a track that will no doubt be this CD's best even though it's repetitive nature might initially turn off some, but you can't deny this track's sensual and chill nature. I've been told by a couple of married friends of mine that they love to listen to it because of reasons that you will discover once you listen to it. There are other standouts on this CD such as "I'll be there", "21st century" and "Best days of our lives" which sounds as if Sade sung it herself. I really loved this CD when I initially got it sometime ago as an import and this version includes 2 remixes. I definitely would recommend this CD as it definitely gets you going in all sorts of ways. They really have an excellent mix of chill and dance music that I really liked. I can't wait to hear from more of this duo!