Death In Vegas - The Contino Sessions (1999)

Riding on the back some impressive critical reactions, I went out and bought this album without even hearing a single track. I always find this exciting, as you never really know what to expect when the laser hits the groove. More often than not if there is a common consensus that an album is quality it's worth taking the risk. If you were to try and classify Death In Vegas then Primal Scream wouldn't be that far off the mark. The fact that Bobby Gillespie guest vocals on 'Soul Auctioneer' only proves that there is a mutual admiration society going on between the 2 bands. It's just a pity Sir Bob had to pick such a weak track to add his tuppence worth. It is just the right side of dull but is as forgettable as an ageing goldfish.

The celebrity love-in continues with 'Aisha' sung by Iggy Pop. It has all the ingredients of a wild, dirty weekend and is positively menacing. But then, that wallowing far-eastern snake charmer sound finds an extra gear to lift the mix to the next level and suddenly everything makes sense. Enthralling is hardly descriptive enough. Jim Reid also lends a hand on vocals on 'Broken Little Sister', which is similar to those impressive Jesus & Mary Chain's slow burners of old. Richard Fearless certainly has a knack of making friends in the right places. The desert drawl of 'Dirge' is the Contino Sessions standout track. It has a hypnotic groove generated by the sweetest guitar strum and cowgirl vocals by the divine Dot Allison. Every smoke filled indie dive should have it on its pre-gig playlist. There are sublime Orbital leanings on 'Flying', all oblique synth moments on a bed of crispy fresh guitars. This music is so dead cool and unassuming you could be forgiven for thinking the heavens had opened up and given us a taste of what's going on, on the great turntable in the sky.

Then there is the brilliant summer breeze ditty called 'Aladdin's Story'. It is a straight down the line near instrumental that provides a little light relief after the previous tracks which are a little uncompromising. Also easy on the ear is the Velvet Underground/Clinic fused 'Neptune City'. This is a psychedelic trip that oozes class. The Contino Sessions is the soundtrack to the coolest lounge bar around. It is mature electronica which would suit those not out for an immediate aural fix. Those who flash 'Tune' placards over their fluorescent heads will be sorely disappointed. Those enamoured with Screamadelica type indie-dance crossovers will be more than satisfied.

Rating: 6.5/10

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