Velvet Grooves

Back when FatCat first started - the first demo they received was from a man called Olivier Avary under the guise 'Hearing Is Our Concern' - back in 1998. It was a 'platform to explore the meeting point between melodic noise and experimental pop'. After a while - but with no release on FatCat - Avary changed the guise to 'Ensemble'. By a chance meeting with Aphex Twins Rephlex Records in 2000 - his 2000 debut release 'Sketch Proposals' was unearthed. This received some wide reputation for stunning quality in programming and sound-work - gaining fans from many musical artists. One of them being Bjork! - which led to many writing collaborations and remixes...

So we get onto the album. Whilst I've not heard Ensembles debut release - this counts as my first listen. The album is an ambient measure building on electronic soundscapes and bits of pop, with the addition of orchestras. Various collaborators have also been involved - Chan Marshall from Cat Power, Lou Barlow from Sebadoh / Dinosaur Junior, Mileece, Camille Claverie and Adam Piece from Mice Parade. Quite a big load of collaborators - but they add fine details to the album for definite, building it into quality release.

The Bjork influence here is also highly recognisable in the electronic soundscape present. Most noticeable is the longest track on the album 'Loose'. This being something that Bjork might churn out as an early track or as collaboration with Craig Armstrong. Either way, it raises the hairs on my neck! Whilst Avary duets with Camille Claverie on vocals - the song slowly builds from an initially mellow orchestral piece to a full blown attack fully devised by Johannes Malfatti. Interestingly being his first orchestral piece!

Also on the album is Disown/Delete - the first single, released earlier in the year by FatCat. It's fusion of organic acoustics with electronics with Chan Marshall on vocals. The effect is brilliant as the vocal cutups harmonise with each other to the warm electronics and minor orchestrations.

At first I thought FatCat might be stepping down with their qualities by releasing Ensemble judging by a track on his myspace - I think from his 2000 debut. But when I slipped this in the player, the progression was astounding. It's a fantastic album, very full and deep. Very much recommended!