Sunny Lemon Tina
Sunny Lemon Tina
Joe & Al Productions/Bullcrap Records
2000
10 tracks
Sunny Lemon Tina's music is retro for sure. This is the sort of cool jazz rock that was being released some thirty years ago by groups like Steely Dan and [although it's a bit of a stretch] Earth, Wind and Fire. It's just old enough that it stands a chance of becoming new again, and the performances are strong enough that it should get airplay.
The mellow vocals of David Bull and Barb Wilson, given character by echo that makes them seem to be singing from somewhere else, float intricately not just over but through the instrumental, creating an unreal, dreamlike atmosphere. Overplayed, such an effect could just sound hokey. Because the echo is added with restraint sensitive to the needs of each individual song, more on some songs and less on others, it serves to enhance and polish the sound.
The vocals are ideally complemented by the instrumental mix, a balance of real instruments and electronics that stops just this side of becoming schlock pop. Instead, what Sunny Lemon Tina achieves is a laid back, soulful jazz mix, what in radio used to be called easy listening. In every sense, it's a class act.
Three songs by the writing team of Wilson/Bull have shown up on previous releases, but are greatly improved in this latest incarnation. "Step Aside" is the title song of a recent release by Buh Duh. The current release mixes stronger, more up-front vocals with a fuller, more driven instrumental approach that raises "Step Aside" from the near-dead to become a vital, interesting song. The funky "Then Again" is fleshed out, with the funky bass line and guitar rhythms driving the music forward. Again, the vocals are more up-front and here the echo is applied to great effect. The gentle near-reggae of "It's a Shame" is a sweet, danceable, if perhaps a mite depressive, paean to love. Like many slow pop reggaes, this song could easily become boring, but to its credit it maintains listener interest. This may be attributed to the catchy vocals and the lead guitar in the break, both of which raise "It's a Shame" to a higher level.
The song which reminds me most of that early Seventies jazz is also arguably the best song on this release. "You didn't come home" is a intelligent composition presented in a balanced arrangement in which each component complements and enhances the others. David Bull's lyrics show a restraint not usually evident in Wilson/Bull songs. "You didn't come home last night...I hope it's because you lost your way." Here is a story told simply yet with exactly the right amount of detail to touch the listener's heart.
Sunny Lemon Tina is a commercial release available exclusively through the mp3.com DAM CD program. A purchaser may notice some problems with this product, probably created at the mp3.com end of the system. These mp3.com releases contain the songs in both standard and mp3 format. While these standard tracks play alright, the mp3 tracks appear to have been dubbed at quite a low level and need to have the volume cranked up. Among the standard format tracks, the first, "On-Line," has a muggy sound to it which, since this problem does not exist on the mp3 version, also appears to be the result of mp3.com's quality control in dubbing. As well, the ends of several of the standard tracks are chopped, as though the pot was dropped too soon in the dubbing process.
Notwithstanding these minor problems with the final product, the fan and collector of this genre of jazz rock will find Sunny Lemon Tina a refreshing update worth adding to his or her collection.
For more information on Sunny Lemon Tina or to hear samples of the music, visit the band's site at mp3.com.
|
Since about February 14, 2004, |
While you're here, please take the time to check out our sponsors below and on other pages.
Got a new or recent release you would like reviewed?
Click here 
for more information.
|
on Sound Bytes' Free-For-All Links page... Click Here.
Canadian.
Send mail to the Sound Bytes