the 'HIGH RISING' sessions
(Exclusive pre-release demo/ 2003)
At the time of writing I'm reading Paul Auster's novel 'Moon Palace' and I've been wondering for a while why Rococo are so named, then in the novel there's a line about 'rococo embellishments on the wall' which made me wonder even more. But still I don't know, so bear with me� now where did I put that blasted dictionary for safekeeping?! Oh right, Jesus, I'm back - and now all is clear. Rococo is literally an ornate style of art, music or literature from 18th Century Europe. Why didn't Matt and Jas who make up this Croydon-anchored 2-piece just say?
But far from producing music from that era, here are 5 more 'exclusive' choice cuts serving as a precursor to their follow-up EP to 2002's classic debut. This - as you and I have come to expect - is cutting-edge dance with wistful and surreal snatches of old skool nostalgia.
Opening, the swell-crafted and brass-bolstered 'Some Say' is a lush re-hash of the Nina Simone song for the new age with Jas' candy cane sweetness caressing the vocals, while Matt samples, and switches, synthesizes and hitches up their need to be original and to cut the crap.
'Skeptic' is rife with his scratching and mixing, overscored by drum & flute technics, followed by the similarly chilled 'Will To Lose.' Both are subtle, sultry and heavenly - yet they aren't as instantly addictive as 'Some Say'� or the absolute brand spanking brilliance of 'A Twist of Blue' that has to be the title track to the aforementioned forthcoming demo.
But before 'A Twist' the poignant synth and piano trickles of 'Disclaimer' - reminiscent of their 'Next Life' - sensually support Jas' distinctive and incredible vocal range that orbits around her own selfless admission - 'Haven't you heard the rumour I'm only human?'
Matt promised a while ago that Jas was going to have a stab at fooling around with an acoustic guitar, and here is the intoxicating result, a majestic, swooning ballad about moving on in 'A Twist of Blue.' Utterly captivating, I hope this is an avenue that Rococo edge further and further down - a guitar-infused dance trajectory. But please don't think they're anything like Primal Scream. Rococo live for soul and a sound that defines summer in the city, in a joyous mix of high hope sensuality, that is at its best when the choruses soar.
Furthermore, Matt has now launched his 'Collective' brainchild on the Internet where a bunch of like-minded music obsessives can bring and share (buy? Who knows?!) good, bad and ugly contacts and advice.
One day soon I'm sure that Rococo will benefit from their turntables by turning heads en masse. Their funky world is the coolest that crossover dance music has seen since Madonna was 'Frozen.' And finally the huge misconception that dance music is stale and same-old same-old is melting, and here's the band to further the thaw. Oh boy has Croydon scored.
(STEVE RUDD)
CONTACT ROCOCO� E-mail� [email protected] or Visit
www.freewebs.com/rococoband
www.freewebs.com/musiccollective
Or Tel Matt: 07941 785195