Lord Echo - Harmonies (Soundway Records)

'Harmonies' is already Echo's third long player, and he always works more or less according to the same concept and that both visually (the cover designs of his albums) as musically: "Many people are concerned with always trying something different, but I'm interested in trying to make the same thing again and again. It's a challenge. How many ideas can you squeeze out of one concept, out of one sonic palette? This is one of the restrictions I apply to myself. I tried to use the same instruments and approach as the last record. I made the cover in exactly the same format. Of course, it's inevitable that it will come out different in spite of this approach, but that's not the point!". The result is a gem of an album on which Echo masterly blends reggae, rocksteady, dub, disco, makossa ('C90 Eternal', 'Makossa No. 3') and soul, with as absolute highlights the lovers rock of 'Low To The Street' feat. Lisa Tomlins ending in a great organ solo, 'Note From Home', in which Toby Laing's sultry voice reminded us of Sade, and closing track 'I love Music', once again featuring Lisa Tomlins, and an excellent lovers rock rendition of the soul classic by The O'Jays. The only thing we regretted when listening to 'Harmonies', was the fact it took us until now to discover Lord Echo!