Shapeshifters - Sound advice

Review and tracklistings from Hmv

Mar 2006

As musicians, producers, international djs and label owners, Simon Marlin and Max Reich enjoy a double life that sees them on top of the pops one minute, and booked into the world's coolest clubs the next. Ever hungry for the right new talent to work with, they've brought in three new vocalists on 'Sound Advice', alongside a number of musicians including the LSO, led by Gavyn Wright. Joining Cookie, are Kelly Marie Smith, Jenna G (from uncut and radio 1's 1xtra), and Antigone Foster. Ever mindful of dance music's roots, they've also looked to their own heroes and joined forces with Chic's Nile Rodgers ('Sensitivity').

The album begins with 'You Never Know', an intelligent critique of the Blair/Bush axis, with an epic musical backing dripping in effects and lush strings. 'Sensitivity', the single collaboration with Chic, is based on an old, unheard sample from the 70's funk standard-bearers, rewritten and reproduced by Simon, Max, and Jenna G. There isn't much more that can be said of the number one single, 'Lola's Theme', the record that started it all, and one that still earns a vital place on the dancefloor.

'Really Feel' will surprise anyone who had Shapeshifters down as purely disco evangelists, featuring Simon on vocals, and echoes of classic techno in the production. 'Over Me', is a down-tempo, string-laden paean to the nocturnal habits of the chemical generation, and features Jenna G. 'If In Doubt Go Out', a genre traversing call to arms, features an epic brass riff, towering synths, and a deep, electronic house groove.

'Back To Basics', 2005's top 10 hit, with 'Lola's Theme' vocalist, Cookie, nods back to Shapeshifters roots. 'Route One', meanwhile, shows that the band can do deep house as well as anyone, and is neatly followed by the lush, (classic) electro epic that is the string-laden 'Little Green Man', proof, if needed, that Simon and Max can make any dancefloor their own.

The album finishes with the kind of flourish of credible songs that are neither in the luke-warm singer-songwriter vein, nor that of the festering pop-dance genre. 'Beautiful Heartache' is sun-drenched balearica, mixing rising strings, psychedelia, and acoustic guitar. The album closer, 'Instead Of Falling', with Antigone's soaring vocals, is the last of many lyrical and musical highpoints.

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track listing

1. You Never Know

2. Sensitivity

3. Lola's Theme

4. Incredible

5. Really Feel

6. Over Me

7. If In Doubt Go Out

8. Back To Basics

9. Route One

10. Little Green Men

11. Beautiful Heartache

12. Instead Of Falling

Also were did this chart

Noticed it was released 20th march