IT is three years since debut Simple Thing became one of the definitive "chill-out" CDs for the new thirtysomething - those grown-up Generation Xers.
And still Zero 7 are being tagged as the British Air. Well, this CD may change that. It's much more song-driven, while retaining that Zero 7 hallmark: a dreamy melting of muzak with melody.
The biggest of the many pleasures on offer is new vocalist Tina Dico who sings on the two best tracks, The Space Between and Home, the new single. She sounds like a 21st century Joni Mitchell, although Home's delicate and hypnotic arrangement would not be out of place on Mitchell's 1975 album The Hissing Of Summer Lawns.
There are traces of a folky feel elsewhere, not least on the gentle In Time, sung by the soft-voiced Sophie Barker. Sia Furler lends her sexy, nasally broken tones to two tracks, the best being Somersault, which would be an obvious second single. Male singer Mozez bags three tracks, but nothing surpasses this CD's opener, Warm Sound. With its bubbling bass and luscious, dreamy vocal it is a day dreamer's delight.
Updated: 08:37 Thursday, March 11, 2004
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