From Amazon.co.uk
Past form has seen Radio 1's voice of chill out, Chris Coco, turn out a number of likably mellow singles for Warp Records and a handful of definitive down-tempo mix albums such as
Solar Spectrums and
Acoustic Chill--but
Next Wave, Chris' debut solo artist-album is his most adventurous statement to date. Fielding a huge team of collaborators to accompany his minimal acid-house grooves, Coco could at times be accused of over-egging his pudding. But unlike Paul Oakenfold's recent, ill-fated artist album
Bunkka, the special guests are seldom obtrusive.
Nick Cave swoops in to provide vocals on a remarkable cover of the
Velvet Underground's "Sunday Morning", complete with birdsong and ringing marimba. The robust, percussive electro of "Revolution" samples a snatch of speech from political commentator Noam Chomsky, but echoes the vocals and weaves it deep into the song's electronic framework.
Belle and Sebastian collaborator Monica Queen adds her expressive wail to three tracks. And "Falling" features a phoned-in lyrical contribution from Bush's Gavin Rossdale, although you suspect that not even Rossdale's mother would recognise her son's gentle, ethereal vocal. For all the guests, though, ultimately, it's Coco's intuitive, mood-based production and mellow, dub-tinged Orb-style acid sounds that deserve top billing. --
Louis Pattison
Album Details
Mostly co-written with classically trained multi-instrumentalist Sacha Puttnam (Hybrid, Bush, Moscow State Orchestra), Chris Coco's first solo album is a downbeat symphony full of grown-up soul & unplugged emotion that visits all stations between autumnal regret & sky-kissing euphoria. Guests include, Monica Queen (Belle & Sebastian), Nick Cave & Patrick Bergin. Includes three tracks n.a. on the vinyl edition, 'Revolution', '1975 E Sunrise Blvd' & 'Albatross' feat. Peter Green. 2002.
