Star Creature regular E. Live returns with his third album for the label. "Soft Approach" begins with the west coast feels of the title track and features a more jazz-funk approach than we usually get from this boogie don. Infact, there's definite whiffs of Herbie Hancock throughout, with its laid back syncopation and elevating chord progressions.
There's an amazing cover of Skyy's "First Time Around", entitled "Make Me Move". I say cover, it simply uses the vocal hook 'make me move, make me feel like my whole world's on fire', transforming it into an erotic funk ultra-anthem; and one that you'll be spinning back for multiple plays time and time again.
There's a seriously high level of instrumentation at play, and although E Live makes use of the large array of synthesizers featured on the album's sleeve, there's plenty of live drums, guitar and bass that make you think you're witnessing a live band in full swing. To consider that he's written and recorded this all by himself it quite a feat!
Anyway, enough waffle - let the music do the talking. One of the strongest, grooviest and uplifting records we've had from the boogie / jazz-funk cannon for a while, and comes highly recommended from us here at Picc HQ.
TRACK LISTING
Side 1
1. Soft Approach
2. Wet Summer
3. Make Me Move
4. North Star
Side 2
1. Bossa Banger
2. Hidden Oasis
3. Night Raid
4. Desert Caravan
