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Rating: When it comes to artistic value in the vast field of music, typically, aside from the prominent period of the '70s and early '80s, critics and the (cultured) public are unanimously in agreement in almost entirely snubbing dance music when it comes to contributions in recent decades. The Safri Duo are the exception to the rule, as they were in their time, and still are even 8 years later, with "Played-a-live." Before talking about the album, one must take a look at these two gentlemen. Undoubtedly talented percussionists, they boast an excellent knowledge of classical music, as evidenced by the experimental nature of their previous albums "Bach to the Future" and the wonderful "Percussion Transcriptors."
"Episode 2" was born with the intent to combine tribal percussion, electronics, and trance... The opening "The Bongo Song" (the other name by which Played is known) manages to be the album’s shining example. Propagated for almost a decade through the media (and it deserves a secure spot among the 10 most representative songs of the decade, and I won’t describe it because, damn it, you know it!), it has quite subverted the genre's standards, especially in its progressive tempo, while still based on the typical 4/4 rhythm; and considering that it was recorded live, given the considerable length, it deserves the most heartfelt applause. If we then have to reiterate that it still captivates after almost a decade, we can, perhaps exaggerating, give it a small place in the history of all music. It’s interesting to observe, then, the inevitable wave of tribal-house (triggered by the track in question) in the subsequent period, which coincided, at least in Italy (we’re talking about the years 2001-2002), exactly with the end of the trance period (the "fad")...
Having closed this paragraph, which would suffice for the most skeptical to justify what there is to say about the review and the group, I proceed to describe the rest of the album, which does not seem to pale in comparison to the opening track...
"A-gusta" changes the stylistic register, this time with an Indo-oriental theme (which is almost a constant of the album), and is a delightful and successful blend of minimal percussion and xylophone... what else to add, an exceptional track, and even an excellent technical demonstration... "Snakefood" advances in a very similar manner, based on an Egyptian atmosphere magnificently created by the underlying mizmar and the perfect harmony between djembe and bongos.
Then there is "Everything," another little masterpiece. It emerges darkly, between the mystical and the gothic, and when the skin drumming arrives it creates yet another (and never repetitive, never self-serving) ethno-trance epic. The epilogue of the track relives, without losing tone, the melodic structure, in an ambient key.
There is also room for an unprecedented ethno-big beat, which emerges in the weighty "Crazy Benny." "Samba Adagio," on the other hand, is almost a mawkish rendition of "Played." It is listenable, even though it is similar in many respects, because a not-so-dissimilar track can fit as a secondary one in a work with a fair amount of stylistic variety. "Adagio" re-proposes it in a classical sound. Finally, it is worth mentioning, at least, the thrilling "Baya Baya" which features a very entertaining video.
In short, to conclude, I can only recommend this little gem of alternative dance to those, like me, who believe that disco offers not only tunz tunz, but also excellent performances by substantial musicians who, almost involuntarily, succumb to small commercial distractions...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 A-Gusta (05:38)
Oktua Nwebemna Colcalti Jesven;
Il Dua Casenta romanienven;
Consaba calamente consaba calamente consaba consaba con-SA
BA (yo yo yo yo)
Isn't it funny how drugs and cash
go together like beans and mash?
no it's not, eh?
I'm just silly
this is my friend his name is Billy!
Yo I go by the name o' Billy... (word)
My rhymes is not really rhymes because they don't rhyme...
...(word)
I go by the name o' Billy, wait I said that
Oh no there's another song I screwed up
Chaiinta's the name, sorry for that stupid Billy
This is his last song, and the producer doesn't like him
See, Billy can't read...
Stu-pid Bil-ly
08 Baya Baya (05:20)
Ba-ba-baya, ba-ba-ba-ya-baya, baya
Ba-ba-baya, ba-ba-ba-iya-baya, baya
Ba-ya-iya, Ba-ya-iya, Ba-ya-iya, Ba-ya-iya,
Ba-ba-baya, ba-ba-baya, ba-ba-ba-iya-baya, bi-ba-ba-ba-ya,
Ba-ba-baya, ba-ba-baya, ba-ba-ba-iya-baya, bi-ba-ba-ba-ya,
Ba-ya-iya, ba-baya, ba-ba-ba-iya-baya, bi-ba-ba-ba-ya
Ba-ya-iya, ba-baya, ba-ba-ba-iya-baya, bi-ba-ba-ba-ya
(2x)
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