Ame

Admittedly, this reviewer put this CD on with some trepidation. After all, Sonar Kollektiv is renowned for its tepid, wine-bar friendly nu jazz, but, on this occasion, it has delivered something special. Ame is the work of two German producers who take inspiration from soulful Detroit techno and electro, Moodyman’s deep house legacy, the warm electronic sounds of Metro Area and even Jon Tejada’s intricate minimalism. Every track is lush, warm and musical, but the fluid bassline and uplifting melodies of ‘Mifune’ and the slinky, sexy electro-funk on ‘Sarari’ stand out and, most surprisingly, there’s not a jazz noodle in sight.