Whisperin & Hollerin Reviewing : EASY DOES IT (2 CDs)
Our Rating: 9/10 This delightful album of pure Bossa Nova songs (with a whole CD of 8 remixes) is a weapon of stealth for any would-be lover of either sex and any inclination.
ISABELLE ANTENA has been flirting with Bossa Nova since cultish "Boy From Ipanema" was released by her group ANTENA in the early 80s. This collection of new recordings represents a re-emergence for Isabelle and husband/arranger Denis Moulin. Like many musicians their absence from the last two issues of NME doesnt necessarily mean they have been hiding in a Kyrgyzstan boot camp for the last ten years. Jazz, funk and Latin grooves have been keeping the wolves from their Mediterranean doors for a while now.
The recording quality on the main CD is a treat. The sonic effect is a large cool room in a warm city on the olive-groved bay with piano, bass and a couple of percussionists on a low stage and a couple of horn payers lounging among the palms. Isabelle's voice is close to a nicely expensive looking microphone and all is very very silk and smoking dark eyes.
Opening track "Nothing To Lose" is a Henry Mancini tune, and it speaks much of Isabelle's own songwriting that the rest of the album doesn't stray from Mancini's standards. The arrangements are simple and relaxed. It's easy but it ain't banal. I have Juana Molina in mind, I'm feeling authenticity, very cosmopolitan and not a tiny bit yankee schmalz. I'm in holiday hotel mode, not Holiday Inn muzac merde.
Take a chance. He/she will love it as much as you do. Let it be your secret together. Its beautifully sung and languidly, sensuously played.
The remixes, labelled on CD2 as "Issy Does it" are done by a list of cool people: BUSCEMI, THIEVERY CORPORATION, NICOLA CONTE, LA MALICE and YUKIHIRO FUKUMOTO among others. The light has faded, the doors have been closed, the atmosphere is tenser and more crowded. The musicians have wandered off for a drink and a smoke. The music gets louder and I get a bit twitchy. One to one is my style crowds make me nervous. But they are all having a very fine time indeed. Dancing even. Dancing a little dangerously, but not raving. They're looking at aeach other , rather than ecstasy beyond. I think this will be the album that people will hear first. It will be in the clubs and on the radio. They might not know what it is but theyre gonna like it. Luscious and infectious and staggeringly varied. "Fresh" remixed by YUKUHIRO FUKUMOTO stands out.