With influences by: Sharon Jones, Lee Fields, The Mohawks, The Dap-Kings, Bobby Byrd, Fontella Bass, The Beginning of the End, Daptone, Jazzman, Funk 45, Keb Darge, Shadow, Madame Jo-Jos, Timmion, Tim Buckley, Stevie Wonder, BGP, Soulfire, K7, Roy Ayers, Grand Slam Magazine, Jazz Cafe, London, Texas.
Sephronia
Tim Buckley
Discreet
This album is, to some extent, regarded as being Tim Buckley's 'sell out album'. Only he could answer that one, but it is a pretty puzzling album and certainly not one of his best. 'Sefronia' is a collection of cover's, Buckley, Beckett collaborations and a few of Tim Buckley's own songs. We use the word puzzling because the songs, in terms of quality, are just oceans apart from each other, they range from the brilliant to the opposite. To be fair, none of the poor tracks were penned by Buckley. Of the covers, Fred Neil's 'Dolphins', a song that Tim had often played live over the years, is done beautifully. Harry Nehls 'Peanut Man' is fun, quirky and light hearted, he's having a laugh with this one, singing three different parts, it's hard to believe it's all the same voice. Tom Wait's 'Martha' and Denny Randell and Letty Jo Baron's 'I know I'd recognise your face' are bizarre choices, the latter being a duet with Marcia Waldorf and, to be honest is a complete shocker. Its not all bad though. Of the original material, title track 'Sefronia' (co-written with Larry Beckett) stands out, particularly part two, 'The Kings Chain', on which the vocals are truly stunning. Tim Buckley's take on 60's band The Jaynettes 'Sally Go Round the Roses' is a clever transformation of a teeny bopper love song, into an upbeat but sultry number about finding his lady getting down to it with another girl. This album has great moments, but as a whole it's a bit upside down and back to front, not one we'd recommend for those who are new to Tim Buckley.
Knowing the past albums from united Future Organisation, this was not what we were expecting. A much more relaxed and slower approach. Can't complain and won't. It's every bit as good as we would expect from this crazy trio. The opening speech sample sets you up for the deep thought mood, provoked by the delicate plucking of a classical guitar from which you brake, wipe the dribble from your chin and take hold in the depth of relaxation. Then lulled through the rest floating on soft vocals and trickled drum patterns flowing through strings and sinking in a pool of synth. The thing is, it's only the first piece of vinyl, which is well, incredibly chilled. The second starts with the most amazingly mellow, piano led jazz tune and involves guest musician Mark Murphy for the vocals, the kind of tune you would expect to hear on a M Murphy album to. Then whap! Straight into this up-beat jazzanova style house, keeping the jazz in there but loosing the depth. You do get two totally different moods, perhaps too different if you sit through the whole album but you do get three innovative musical minds. It's always interesting to see what they'll do next.
