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This album comes straight out of left field – a feast of 70’s inspired disco beats from the quirkiest of collectives.
Hercules and Love Affair is the brainchild of New York DJ Andrew Butler, and while he provides the musical inspiration, he has also astutely drawn on a diverse range of talented individuals.
A roll call for the band presents us with a transsexual vocalist, a gay dancer, a lesbian jewellery designer and none other than Antony Hegarty (from Antony and the Johnsons fame) as guest vocalist. And it is the inclusion of the Mercury prize-winning artist that takes this album and sets it apart. His mournful baritone adds an unexpected twist to the record’s prevalent “up” mood.
In terms of tracks, ‘Blind’ definitely stands out as the album highlight. The up-tempo electronic beat works perfectly in accompaniment with a horn section and Hegarty’s soul-filled vocals. And while ‘Blind’ presents the more up-tempo side of Hercules and Love Affair, the opposite approach also works well, as evidenced on the slow-burning ‘Time Will’ – this track’s spaced out electronica is marvellously addictive.
An early entrant for dance album of the year...
Essential Tracks
Time Will
Blind
This Is My Love
Full Track Listing
1. Time Will (4:31)
2. Hercules Theme (4:29)
3. You Belong (4:10)
4. Athene (4:00)
5. Blind (6:17)
6. Iris (4:13)
7. Easy (5:21)
8. This Is My Love (4:55)
9. Raise Me Up (3:49)
10. True False / Fake Real (4:31)
11. I'm Telling You (3:41)
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