East L.A. Breeze

Brazzaville's 2006 album, released the following year in the U.S. with some bonus tracks, finds David Brown and his bandmates creating another good set of low-key, reflective songs that almost suggest what would happen if bossa nova had been used to soundtrack classic film noir. The easy grace of tunes like "Peach Tree" and "Jesse James," to name two of many examples, helps to show that music doesn't have to be explicitly harsh or dark to convey those feelings -- something familiar to Steely Dan fans, perhaps, but still worth considering in a new context. Brown's understated singing often belies the sharpness of his words, but helps in further conveying an air of experience -- rather than being worldweary, it instead sounds relaxed, considered but aware. Though there's a general Brazzaville sound at work with the easygoing rock-band interplay, Brown and company are smart enough to know that it's also all about variety, with the audible drum machine clip on many tracks adding a sharp edge on many songs. The crisp, tight dance/rock punch of "Star Called Sun" could be a prime Roxy Music (or even Duran Duran!) song, backing his smooth delivery about a romantic object of affection. Other moments like the beautiful, rhythmic piano part that starts and forms the center of "Taksim" and the soft strings on "Morning Light," the excellent song that concludes the original album, show that the band never take things exactly the same way twice. Brown's deft way around imagery should also be noted -- thus in the title track his surprise at looking into a old coffeehouse haunt and seeing "no cigarettes, no loud instruments." ~ Ned Raggett|