Tosca
J.A.C

This work by Tosca, born under the sign of Gemini, is none other than the name of the project behind which two great friends, the Krukki, Richard Dorfmeister & Rupert Hubert, hide. As I was saying, a CD that, like those belonging to the sign of Gemini, is both a blessing and a curse at the same time... a bit like the weather, sometimes good and sometimes bad.

"J.A.C." is an acronym that stands for Joshua, Arthur, and Conrad. Who are these people, you might ask? These three names are the sons of the aforementioned DJs who have become fathers, producing a well-crafted, elegant work, also in terms of packaging, and very enjoyable, like much of Tosca’s productions. Unfortunately, the album, while gaining freshness and musicality, thanks to the use of "real" and authentic music, the appearances of more or less well-known personalities, and especially due to the beautiful melodies, sometimes funky, sometimes jazzy and bluesy created by the duo; on the other hand, it loses in total and emotional quality. We are faced with a good chill-out album with various, different, and sophisticated sounds, but for the writer, it lacks personality, which ultimately makes the whole work enjoyable but not unmissable.

Tosca seems to be moving away, whether intentionally or not is unknown, from the genre-bundle where they stand as one of the great protagonists, leaving the doors and territories explored with greater success and freshness, for example, by Thievery Corporation (think of The Cosmic Game). The problem with this album, if we can even call it a problem, lies in the fact that after a couple of listens, it can fade almost immediately, without leaving those beautiful melodies in your head that K&D also accustomed us to. A work that, like a black and white photograph, presents lights and shadows. It starts off very well with "Rondò Acapricio", where a nice bass halfway between '70s funk and '80s dance takes center stage. It continues even better with "Heidi Bruehl", with jazz atmospheres wonderfully complemented by the singer’s voice. "Pyjama" is another nice piece like the following "The big Sleep".

In conclusion, a very good and successful album, but one that doesn’t reach the heights. It settles at a 3.5 according to me, but since there is no doubt about the duo's value (and I am generous) it becomes a 4. You can also not own it if you like the genre, but if you still want a good album... go for it, and after all, they are fathers and we know children are expensive...