A different direction for the talented Lansing, Michigan man
Jay M | Dublin, Ireland | 12/23/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A radical departure from his usual style, John Beltran has finally made the album he really wanted to make. It's a personal album, full of all the musical influences that have been present with him throughout his life.You'll detect a distinctly Brazilian/Latin element to most of his songs. Some tracks are very housey, although skittering percussion is always there amongst the sounds. Many tracks are quite obviously influenced by the Bossa Nova style.'Lost' features a male vocalist, Greg Chin, but is one of the weaker tracks, as is the female led vocals of Erika Koberlein on 'Love Static'.I've always thought Beltran's music was better without vocals, a clear compliment to the quality of his music. Fans of the old, ambient style Beltran will not be disappointed, there are brief glimpses.But times change, and it's to Beltran's credit that rather than standing firm, he's decided to branch out, with all the risks that involves.But he's passed the test very well, a good, solid album."