The jazz-funk opening track "The Entrance" kicks off the album in a really relaxed styled, almost like improvised rhythms and notes played during the soundcheck of a jazz band. It is then catalyzed in a funky house form that really works well as an introductive track. That energy also oozes from "Not So Different", which features the smooth vocals of LYMA. The song is brilliantly funky and showcases the songwriting and arrangement talent of Makèz, who cleverly use pop & soul cues to create one of the album's best tracks.
What follows are 4 cuts ranging from the syncopated balearic funk of "Orbit" that we are here premiering on Electrocorp, the strings of album title track "City of All" (one of the highlights of the album for us), the organ-led deep-house jam "Gonna Getya " and the downbeat "Sonder".
Allysha Joy - best known for performing in the Melbourne collective 30/70 - is featured on the deep and jazzy cut "Looking up". Allysha's performance perfectly complements Makèz' production on this track, where the deep bass, warm harmonies and jazzy percussions prove to be a perfect foundation for Allysha's voice.
Far from being only an album to be listened at home that, the LP offers quite a few bits of dancefloor-oriented tracks, such as one of its heaviest cuts, " Bent With Funk ", and the distorted filter funk of "Roselane" featuring our dearest friends Fouk. These house tracks really come to life in this album format.
As said above, n o compromise has been made to storytelling. Both club moments and down-times play their part and trust me, this need to be highlighted because it isnt seen often on most of the electronic music albums that are put out. The expert production and smart arrangements from Makèz really give this album an overall relaxed and funky feel. They showcase a remarkable talent for writing an album that visits many different places, extracting the best parts of these in order to create a unique piece of contemporary music.
Jeu de briques
Snake
Pacman
Bubble