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New Releases

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Artist:	ROBERT MILES
Title:	"23am"
Label:	Arista
Reviewed By:	Francesca Garten
Rating:

Italian composer, producer, and club-DJ Robert Miles first appeared on the international music scene in 1996, with the release of his premier offering, "Dreamland." The instrumental single released from that album, "Children," was recorded and released as an attempt on Miles' part to "save lives." It appears that the death-rate of Italian youths perishing in car crashes after long, drink-and-drug-filled hours spent dancing to hard-edged techno had reached epidemic proportions of twenty to thirty per week. After mothers banded together in a "Mamma Anti-Rock" movement and sought to have the clubs shut down and curfews established, Miles took action with "Children." He went to his home studio and composed a theme that took the bite off the frantic techno-beat that was, apparently, sending scores of young Italians off into the night with sky-rocketing adrenaline that caused them to ignore any poor road conditions they might happen upon, and crash to their deaths. Of course, some individuals might also have decided to pay greater attention to improving those hazardous road conditions in the first place, but any little bit helps, after all. "I made "Children" in the interest of calming people down," he said. "The melodies in the song really bring out the emotions, and not ones that are going to entice you to leave the club and drive 120 mph after you hear them." Whether the song ever had any real effect on saving the lives of youth is anybody's guess. But what is certain is that the song first reached the top of the Euro charts, then hit the U.S. with success, establishing the name of Robert Miles in the world of dance music. Now, Miles is attempting to equal the success of his first album with the release of "23am," a collection of techno-based compositions that run the gamut from pop with classical leanings, to trance, to backbeat, to drum n' bass. Miles enlists the talents of a couple of female singers on a few of the selections to add texture and atmosphere. Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge) joins in on the album's first single, "Freedom," an electronica/pop-based composition with a nice, smooth funk flavor that blends well with the futuristic tones of the album. Her strong vocals are also present on "Enjoy," a fast-paced, keyboard-heavy tune with a decidedly intense Latin flavor. Those familiar with the European music scene will recognize French singer Nancy Danino's vocals on "Full Moon," an atmospheric selection underscored with a fast and pounding, delightfully primal drum beat; and "Everyday Life," a dreamy, slow-paced mesmerizing composition that begins with a swirl of thoughtful, musical imagery; then slowly intensifies to a crescendo of tuneful, electronica-based melodies. Seven other selections are included, each similar in their dance-oriented direction, yet quite different in their moods and atmospheric landscapes. It's equally easy to imagine this album being spun at the nearby dance club as well as providing a rich and interesting source of background music to a stylish party. I loved the unmistakable European flavor of the compositions. Many of them reminded me of the countless vinyl records my European parents brought with them to the United States in their younger days, and played endlessly around their children. "23am" should also hold appeal for a fairly wide audience range. Compositionally and lyrically, it's soft and intelligent enough to speak to an older, more sophisticated audience, yet fresh and hip enough to capture the interest of a more fad and image-conscious faction. Parents and children alike will conceivably be putting down their money to buy this one. And for most, it should be money well-invested. While electronica may not appeal to every music fan, this album is imaginative, well-produced and carefully mixed. I can't think of a better way to take a one-hour trip to another state of consciousness.

 

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