Martine Girault - Revival
Having heard numerous R & B albums over the past year, which mostly failed to break out from the mould of predictable loops and beats, this debut album from Martine Girault is definitely a breath of fresh air. Entitled ‘Revival’ it is also the name of her first single, which is currently on re-release. Hopes for it to be as big a hit as it was in the summer of 1991 are high.
The album opens with an intro interlude which sounds like a voodoo chief making a speech about the coming of something big...."totally dread, man!", all a bit strange! Fortunately, the songs that follow sound nothing like that, promising a more jazzy feel instead. Musically, the album is very diverse, ranging from the ballad, theatrical-sounding ‘I wish’, to the slightly more up-tempo ‘Been thinking Bout you’.
The highlight of the album for me was ‘These Are the Best Days’, a combination of the 70’s with 90’s funk. This is a track that takes you back in time a bit and is certain to have you boogieing on the dancefloor complete with Afros and bell bottoms! Less impressive was the Bad Boy remix of ‘Revival’, which sounded just like the original except with Sean "Puffy" Combs adding the occasional, tedious ad lib ("That’s right....remix"). Not exactly inspiring stuff, but this version will no doubt gain some street and stateside credibility as a result.
One of the things that impressed me the most was Girault’s vocals, and the way she can change styles with such ease. She can sing as though it’s coming from her heart, almost yearning for the music on one track. This can then be immediately followed up with a combination of sassy vocals and smooth harmonies on another.
"Revival" is a solid and quality debut, with an overall sound that is best described as a fusion of jazz, soul and R’n’B. Most of the tracks are mid-tempo and create a very laid-back atmosphere when listening. With distinct vocals and impressive production from the London-based (yes, something that’s British and good!) Ray Hayden, this will surely, in time, turn into a classic.(9) Gloria
