Chris Coco - 'Next Wave' (Distinct'ive Breaks)
3/5
By: Thomas Hannan
The thriving chill-out scene may be primarily focused on relaxation, but there are some who take that relaxation very seriously indeed. With 'New Wave', renowned DJ, producer and presenter Chris Coco has painstakingly created what might well be the bible of intelligent chill-out music, providing all those who search through endless compilations to find nothing but false prophets with the genre's true Holy Grail.
Although there is a lot of common ground between this release and such compilations crowding the shelves of supermarkets up and down the country, you'll be relieved to hear that it feels much more like a proper piece of work - almost as if Coco has set out to create an antidote to everything on offer presently with his own personal compilation record, all with original music featuring collaborations from the worlds of indie, film and literature.
'Next Wave' is a record not afraid to break some rules. Instead of sticking to tranquil dance, the album benefits from an ability to borrow from other genres to compliment its style. The best examples of such crossovers can be found in the numerous collaborations with ex-Belle & Sebastian member Monica Queen, which provide the LP with many of its standout moments. Specifically, these reach a creative peak within the cracking 'All Of My Beautiful Friends', a tune deserving to become a really rather big single, not only serving as testament to the talent of the main-man Coco, but also to that of Monica Queen - who never previously let on that her repertoire stretched so far in her B&S days.
Nick Cave's first foray into electronica is another bolt from the blue. He croons sweetly on a contemporary reworking of the Velvet Underground classic 'Sunday Morning', itself a post-party anthem during its heyday. Although it doesn't top it (let's face it, it was never going to), it's a reminder of how gorgeous the original still is, and although the parties may have changed since its first release, there's still no better soundtrack to the comedown.
Yet another highlight arrives with 'Dreaming', in which cult author Iain M Banks recites some characteristically odd musings over Coco's gentle sound-collages. Such collaborations from literature and film (Hollywood actor Patrick Bergin crops up on the single 'Only Love') should inform you that this is a very intellectual affair; every note, for instance, is calculated to an extreme, working relentlessly through its 70-minute course to transport you to a more soothing plain via entertaining stops you may not have visited before.
Or, at least, that's the idea any way. Although it definitely beats inexpressive compilations hand over fist in terms of feeling, despite its branching out into different styles and enlisting the help of those who wouldn't normally find themselves on a dance record, it still suffers from being too one dimensional. Yes, its purpose is to relax, but unlike, for example, The Avalanches' 'Since I Left You', it doesn't truly electrify or even amuse anywhere along the way, some songs seeming to be included simply to add to the ambience - which, to all intents and purposes, there is a more than generous portion of already.
Though it fails to fly away from its roots, 'Next Wave' is still a breath of fresh air in terms of chill-out records. Its experimentation with other disciplines pushes the genre as far as it can go, providing it with a much needed kick up the backside. Consequentially, it's not the sound of 'chill out' waking up - rather, a welcome indication of how much there is that can still be explored in its dreams.
Artists in this article: Chris Coco
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