Search - Soulstance :: Life Size [Vinyl]

More Good stuff from the Lo Greco Bros.

bordersj2 | Boston | 07/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They've done it again - put out an outstanding album! I really got into Soulstance a few years ago thanks to the Break & Bossa Compilations. Those, from the Idizioni-Ishtar label Schema, had different artists in the bossa/nu-jazz genre along with artists on the Schema/Milano label. First I picked up Act On!, then En Route, then Truth Simplicity & Love (US release). Now in 2003 comes the highly anticipated third original release: "Life Size". And boy was it worth the wait! If you've checked out Break & Bossa 5, you got an idea of what to expect. But much like Label mate Rosalia De Souza, the songs from that compilation are different than the prototypes in that double disc set. While Honesty is only slightly altered, "Nucleus" is an altogether bigger and jazzier cut. In fact this cd is a bit more jazzy, not quite as contemporary, and far more bossa-ish than the previous two. I'd say that this actually goes more towards the sound of Gerardo Frisina more so than Nicola Conte (both of which are also on Schema). As for cuts - through and through this is a good release. Caribe, Au Revoir, Zenith - pretty much all of the tracks are quality to me and have a hook to them that you'll enjoy. By my favorite is Lost on a Wave - classic Schema style and sound. And the beginning of "Life Size", the cut, immediately reminded me of Soulstance's remix of label mate S-Tone Inc's "Arjear". This is definitely a lounge, bar type CD which is solid for the background when the friends are over, or when you want to hear something smooth... whenever you want to hear something smooth. Pick this up! I definitely recommend it and it's one of my CD's for the summer. This is one catchy, jazzy and classy cd! And if you do like this, you have to check out Gerardo Frisina's "Ad Lib", S-Tone Inc's "Sobrenatural", Nicola Conte's "Bossa Per Due" and, of course, the upcoming Break & Bossa 6 and the previous Break & Bossa 5. Wish Amazon had the vinyls though."

Nicola Conte Meets Kruder & Dorfmeister in a Refreshing Way

Princess of Borneo | KK, KL, London & NYC | 06/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have not done too much research on this group, although I have heard several of their tracks on the Om Lounge compilations. However, let me say that this album is even better than the Om tracks."Life Size" tracks have a very jazzy appeal to it, with very deep bass and bossa thumps that are rich and abundant. It's a bit of Nicola Conte (remember Bossa Per Due on ESL?) and Kruder & Dorfmeister. It brings together Italian, German, and Brazilian club moods. Some tracks have hints of the "Easy Tempo" Italian bossa tracks are, other tracks are more Berlin. There's some Drum and Bass influence.This is a beautiful album that any downtempo aficionado should own. It will make my top ten nu jazz albums of the year."