Strange Lights and Resolutions

Kobayashi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 9, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bongo Beat Records
• ASIN: B0009W8EZC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,869 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Never Was

2. Midnight Ambulances

3. Road Less Travelled

4. 2 Cent

5. Narn't

6. Shadows

7. Conversations

8. Shasta

9. Rex Basin

Editorial Reviews

Review

A disc that affectionately tips its hat to everything from chill-out grooves to be-bop. --Bernard Pérusse - Montreal Gazette (4 Star Review)

Product Description

THE FACTS:
Originally conceived as the jazzman's surrender to the hip-hop beat, Kobayashi's sounds have developed into an amalgamation of electronica, jazz, trip-hop and orchestral undertones. Formed at the crack of the new millennium, this seven-headed monster wasted little time infiltrating Montreal's musical underground, and then setting its sights on the rest of the country. With a musical style set to satisfy the energetic hot-stepper, the head-bopping groove aficionado and the cerebral shadow-lurking jazz musician alike, it is fitting that Kobayashi has been blessed with a loyal and growing fan base.

THE RELEASE:
"Strange Lights and Resolutions" marks the first full-length studio effort from Montreal electro jazz merchants Kobayashi. Recorded on 24-track tape in just under a week, the album infuses mature arrangements with the energy of spontaneity and improvisation. The analog process adds the desired roundness to Kobayashi's sound - a dark blend of jazz, funk, dub and trip-hop. From gripping opener "Never Was", to the intriguing grooves of "Narn't" and the haunting pronouncements in "Shadows", the album strikes a balance between simple and sophisticated, cerebral and soulful, experimental and tasteful.

Special guest on the album is Rosina Kazi, vocalist from Toronto group LAL (voted #1 Soul album in Exclaim 2004 Year in Review).

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A notch above the competition...., July 11, 2005

By 

Ghost Writer (LHS) (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strange Lights and Resolutions (Audio CD)

Emerging from the flood of Montreal bands, Kobayashi have proven themselves to be a cut above the rest with their groovy rhythms and hypnotic jazz melodies. Their first album (They've previously released two demos) is a brave foray into the territory of acid jazz blending elements of hip hop, trip hop, soul, funk, electronica and fusion jazz into a warm, robust package. Whether you're looking to dance the night away or hang back and chill out with some friends (With drinks aplenty of course!), you'll find something to like here.

These guys and gals set out to prove they could conquer the world, and this first album is a succesful first step in their sure to be long and arduous journey. This group deserves respect and critical acclaim. What better way to show your support than by picking this disc up?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars See this band live! Listen to their music., October 26, 2005

By 

ericq1 (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strange Lights and Resolutions (Audio CD)

I happened to stumble in on this band by accident and ended up leaving the club purchasing 2 of their CD's and am verry pleased and am looking for more like it and them.