Rare Pleasure＜限定盤/Gold Vinyl＞

Possibly by coincidence, Ringgo Anchetas third true Stones Throw LP -- after Yawn Zen and Bodywash -- shares its title with the name of an obscure 70s R&B band. It also happens to have a late-70s sensibility. Whereas Rare Pleasure the band dealt out disco, Rare Pleasure the album emanates breezy soul and tosses a couple neo-Brazilian fusion curveballs like its under a lysergic spell cast by Earth, Wind & Fire, George Duke, and Ronnie Laws in those artists gentler moments during the same era. On that note, this is more band-oriented than Bodywash. The returning Kiefer (keyboards) and Swarvy (bass), joined by Will Logan (drums), Carlos Nino (percussion), and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (strings), each bring steady and sensitive support with additional airy vocals from Anna Wise, Foushee, and Devin Morrison. Ancheta as a singer wont draw comparisons to Philip Bailey -- or even Duke or Laws, for that matter -- but his consistently mellow and sweet voice is an optimal match for the pacific benevolence of his messages. The drifting Hope Youre Doin Better best exemplifies the albums disposition with empathy and consolation. Those qualities are constant through other high points such as the romantic Slowdance, the spiritual jazz-tinged outlier Medium Rare, and the comparatively frenetic 3Hands/Divine Hand I. The last of those can be heard as Anchetas Put Your Hand in the Hand, if as a hybrid of bossa nova and psychedelic pop with rapid-fire GospelChops drums. Everything is addressed with care to a loved one who at various points is ailing and needs some coaxing and reassurance to live in the moment, free of anxiety. Much of what makes it so appealing is that Ancheta comes across as a genuine companion, not as a pushy partner or life coach. ~ Andy Kellman

フル・アルバムとしては5年ぶりの3作目。初のバンド構成で制作されており、カルロス・ニーニョやミゲル・アトウッド・ファーガソン、スワーヴィ、キーファーなどLAシーンのオールスター的な面々が、ソウル、ジャズ、ビート・ミュージックをどこまでもスウィートかつ心地良い音像で紡いでいく。デヴィン・モリソンが儚げな歌声を乗せる"Medium Rare"は、天上のチック・コリアにまで届きそうな夢幻フュージョンだ。新境地を切り拓いた傑作。
bounce (C)池谷瑛子