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GrooveOut
by Chris Sill
Anointed
by Madonna
And
yes, that's Rupert Everett on backup vocals
Making
hit records with Madonna can produce similar effects
to an endorsement from Oprah--one word from her mouth
and the entire country is talking.
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For
Madonna, those words were "William Orbit." Since
she dragged England's ambient house pioneer on stage
at last year's Grammy Awards and called him a "genius,"
he has received a flurry of attention in the music
world and become a household name to millions.With
Pieces in a Modern Style (Maverick), Orbit
travels on a solo path that takes him galaxies away
from the dancing queen. In fact there isn't a dance
beat to be found on Pieces. Instead, Orbit
offers 11 renditions of classical works for us to
get reacquainted with, by composers such as Beethoven,
Vivaldi, and Handel. |
It
is highly personal work from Orbit (he chose arrangements
from his favorite classical masters), and it demonstrates
his vast ambient music ingenuity. For example, he does
not read music; rather, he copies the notes into a computer,
which he uses to manipulate and interpret them in his
own way, all by ear. In the end, some pieces are more
recognizable than others, but all possess mesmerizing
results. Barber's "Adagio for Strings," the CD's first
cut, is one of the more familiar selections. Orbit's
subtle, sonic tweaking greatly enhances this piece and
intensifies its lush movements. The single has received
two dance remixes for exposure to clubs and radio and
both are available as part of a double CD.
Perhaps
exposure is what Pieces is all about. Don't forget
it was Orbit's collaboration with Madonna on Ray
of Light that pushed electronica closer to the mainstream
and merged fans of two different styles of music. Could
Pieces do the same for classical and ambient
audiences? So far it appears to be working.
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The
Next Best Thing
-Music
From the Motion Picture
(Maverick) |
By
now everyone's heard Madonna's "American Pie" remake
(yes, that's Rupert Everett on backup vocals). Some
may not know that it was Everett who pushed his co-star
to recreate the Don McLean classic for the film. Naturally,
the diva turned to her main man William Orbit for the
job. These two can't miss lately, churning out hit after
hit ("Beautiful Stranger") and by all accounts, "Pie"
will soon join the others, taking along with it The
Next Best Thing soundtrack. According to Maverick Records,
the single will only be available on the film's soundtrack.
If that wasn't enough, a second Madonna song, "Time
Stood Still," also exclusively appears here.
But
dig a little deeper and it becomes clear this musical
companion to the film isn't all about its star. It's
loaded with cutting-edge artists and music. Maverick
label mates Solar Twins turn in the gorgeous "Swayambhu."
British sensation Olive (now signed to Maverick) give
the classic 10cc track "I'm Not in Love" a drum and
bass makeover. Techno producer Moby supplies "Why Does
My Heart Feel So Bad," while the hip Groove Armada get
funky on "If Everybody Looked the Same." Also included
is an unreleased track from Christina Aguilera called
"Don't Make Me Love You."
There's
no doubt that the two new Madonna tracks will have this
soundtrack flying off the shelves. Thankfully, the other
material holds its own and should open the ears of listeners
to a host of newer talent. These two factors will keep
this soundtrack true to its name and make it the "must
have" CD of the moment.
Chris Sill spins tunes at Rich's and
can be reached at csill@infohwy.com.
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