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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Great Record!!!, September 10, 2002
This review is from: Echo (Audio CD)
I was pretty surprised to like this CD not being much of an electronica fan. But upon listening, it is as much a Jazz record as electronica. The "covers" are great, really more reinterpretations of such standards as Girl From Impanema and Night and Day, I was most struck with the pathos of the original songs, notably Sparks From A Wheel and Can't Walk Away.I really recommend this CD especially if you have been getting into Norah Jones, the Verve Remix CD, Frou Frou, etc.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Innovative AND Entertaining, September 12, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Echo (Audio CD)
Wow! What a refreshing new entry to both the jazz and electronica categories. Depending on your mood - it could be for relaxation or for partying/dancing. Very cool, very fresh and highly recommended.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Echoes prettily, February 23, 2005
This review is from: Echo (Audio CD)
First let's give credit to Bebel Gilberto, the Brazilian singer who gave a trippy twist to some of her father's songs. That seems to be the inspiration for Echo's self-titled album, a collection of classic jazz songs (and a few originals) done to trip-hop tunes.
It sounds like a fairly mundane idea, but pop singer Joy Askew and electronic musician Takuya Nakamura carry it off well. They also have good taste in jazz -- Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Bob Hillard and others are covered here, although Porter gets the most exposure.
There's a rather annoyingly trippy "The Girl From Ipanema," and a fun blippy "I've Got You Under My Skin." The sultry "Love For Sale" and languorous "That Old Black Magic" are among the highlights, with their softer beats and vaguely retro feel. It may seem like blasphemy to rework them to electronic beats, but they are definitely worth hearing.
Askew and Nakamura also add a few songs of their own: Among them are the exuberant ambient love song "Sparks From A Wheel," which has Askew repeatedly breathing, "I get a kick outta you!", and the swirling, swooning pop splendor of "Surrender." These delightful, makes you yearn for an original album by this duo, and hope that one is in the works.
Joy Askew -- who has one of the best names I've ever heard of -- has a good voice for jazz (even acid jazz). It's slow and sultry, and it gives a grounded sound to the trippy music. She also is co-musician with Nakamura for the music, which ranges from eerie and almost ambient to catchy and poppy, to slow and soft.
Not that it's all cool electronic beats; Askew and Nakamura also lace most of their music with lots of brass, piano, a hint of bass, and some guitar. It gives an original jazz flavor to the songs, and warms them up from the inside out. The result strikes a good balance between jazz and trip-hop.
"Echo" is an intriguing experiment, and one that fans of both jazz and electronica may want to check out. Here's hoping Echo has more in its future.
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is Echo's only studio release. Browse Echo's Discography 
