Search - Morcheeba :: Big Calm

Enchanting trip-hop

Kirby | 09/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is unique to the majority of other trip hop releases in that it is mostly very cheerful. The cover art very much reflects the mood of the recording. In this album, Morcheeba ventures into other genres of music, including jazz, reggae, rock and pop, far more than in their debut Who Can You Trust? and is therefore more versatile. It can easily be enjoyed whether you are relaxing, driving, eating, running, etc. I'd highly recommend it to anyone."

Anyone can love this disc

L. Pike | 08/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I asked friends for recommendations for new music and Morcheeba's Big Calm went straight to the top of the picks I was given. In most years I would call this album my favorite of the year though I also discovered another disc by Mother Mother that is my favorite of the decade. But back to Morcheeba. Big Calm has a great range of music that brings you right to the serenity that the title suggests. It is calming, but fun to listen to and offers good diversity throughout. One thing I love about this disc is that I could recommend it to anyone. While bands like Mother Mother I might only recommend to friends who follow the indie music scene, Morcheeba is accessible to all. This is my first of Morcheeba's albums and I am looking forward to hearing the differences in others with the band's decision to relieve Skye Edwards of her lead vocals responsibilities after several years of helping to make the band great."

Morcheeba's Ensemble Sound takes "Trip-Hop" into new territo

Archer Books | Hemel Hempstead, UK | 04/19/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Paul and Ross Godfrey are musical visionaries: British multi-instrumentalists, composers and producers who form the core of this extraordinary partnership. On this second album once again the mellow, distinctively lyrical voice of young Londoner Skye (from her name Shirley Klarise Yonavive Edwards - a convenient acronym she adopted), provides the vocals to give character and definition to Morcheeba's distinctive, chilled-out yet upbeat sound. Owing something to the trip-hop sound of bands like Portishead, the Morcheeba ensemble brings much more to the party.



Virtuoso experimentation with loose arrangements and innovative instrumental combinations makes for a rich and stylistically diverse listening experience; everything seems possible with the Morcheeba sound - and it all works. Even after years of listening the music is fresh, and you never tire of it. Each track has a distinctive style, a different rhythm, a new mood - seamlessly flowing from first to last.



This is mature, interesting, joy-filled music with a sound like no other. It is clever, enriching, at the same time calming and energising with an occasional burst of humor. If you have this album in your collection you'll likely play it again, and again, and again. It's rich, complex yet chilled-out music for all seasons and, like so much music from the British Isles from the past 50 years it is so delightful, quirky and original you'll love it.

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