Went to Parker Place the other day and I “ritually” went inside the CD shop even I didn’t have any CDs to buy in mind. Browsing along the Japanese section, I found a new double album put along with m-flo’s CDs. It’s not something I recognize, but judging from the cover, I noticed that it’s something of a collaboration between some Korean group and VERBAL of m-flo. So without hesitation, I bought it immediately. Upon further inspection using my car stereo on my way back home, I figured out it’s actually a new Korean acid-jazz group called “clazziquai project“. The back cover tries to describe itself as “clazziquai = classic (note: not classical) + jazz + jamiroquai-type groove”
The music itself is actually beyond acid-jazz, including house, bossa-nova, electronica, funk, soul, and down to some simple pop. I usually don’t like fusion for the sake of fusion, because it’s easy to lose the distinctiveness of an album. However, what tied this CD together is the group’s two vocals - Alex & Horan. Their voices are neither too weak nor do they stick out so much that it annoys you, but they blend so well with the music. Compared to squeaky Japanese singers, they make it really smooth for listening to this type of music at night.
Another interesting fact is that the DJ/song-writer/producer was a Korean-Canadian and he used to study jazz music in Capilano College here in Vancouver!
My favorite songs: Love mode feat. VERBAL (m-flo), After love, Fill this night, Hold your tears
I’d rate 4 out of 5.
