Search - Bobby Hughes :: Nhu Golden Era

Great Album!

Jung Won Kim | 07/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great funky, jazzy cd that is fun and interesting to listen to. Calm and easy in some parts and tripy in others."

So who is this Bobby Hughes guy anyway?

Jung Won Kim | PA USA | 08/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobby Hughes is the alter ego of a Norwegian DJ who has himself kept a low profile (still in Norway, I believe) and let the music do the talking. The CDs are difficult to find and vinyl is even tougher - I guess they don't mass produce in Norway the way we Americans are used to. I haven't heard the first full album Fusa Riot (then Bobby Hughes Experience), but Nhu Golden Era was, to my shock and delight, available on iTunes.



The music is a combination of sampled groovy sounds from 60s and 70s Scandinavian jazz and performances from contemporary jazz musicians in Norway, kinda like what the more well-known St Germain (French DJ) does. But whereas the St Germain sound is more hard bop and a little bit of west coast, BH has more of a hip, mod feel to it - think Sean Connery's James Bond or the chanteuse Francoise Hardy.



Karins Kerma is a standout track with great female vocals that has been included on various nu-jazz/lounge compilations and mixes. Its inclusion as the lead track on the Electro Jazz Divas compilation led me to seek more of the mysterious Bobby Hughes. On Nhu Golden Era, Nhu Beginnin is similar to Karins Kerma with female vocals, except it's even more chill. Much of the rest is instrumental and possibly a bit repetitive in parts. But the album as a whole can serve as excellent background music for a cocktail lounge setting or a Sunday drive or just plain hanging out. Any guests are bound to ask what you're playing.



Finally, serve shaken, not stirred."