Sleepwalking

Performer: Rae & Christian
Artist: The Congos; The Pharcyde; Bobby Womack; Kate Rogers; Mahavishnu Orchestra; Tania Maria; Siron
Engineer: Dejuana Richardson; Eric Steinen; Rick Cowling; Steve Christian
Distributor: Caroline Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Tania Maria (vocals); Bobby Womack (guitar); Josef, Roger Wickham (horns); John Schroeder (sampler). Audio Mixer: Steve Christian. Recording information: D & D Studios, New York, NY; Grand Central Studios, Manchester, England; Pee Wee Studios, Paris, France. Coming off the heels of the superb Northern Sulphuric Soul, Sleepwalking is quite a disappointment. The title couldn't be more fitting, as Rae & Christian seem to have merely triggered their rather weak electronic loops and decided that they would let their collaborators take the blame or acclaim for the resulting album. Examining the tired instrumentals where Rae & Christian wrestle for control leads to a rather obvious conclusion that they've run out of ideas. "Blazing the Crop" is built on tacky scratching sound effects and clich�d samples and rapping. "Trailing in the Wake" goes nowhere, and "Ready to Roll" brings in more scratching and weak samples. The remaining songs are only as good as the artists who collaborate on them. Two songs by the Pharcyde show that their creative well has run dry. Bobby Womack adds some much needed soul to his two contributions, his vocals suggesting a frazzled Al Green. The three female guest vocalists provide dreamy vocals that are largely interchangeable, though Tania Maria manages to conjure a lush exoticism. Kate Rogers attempts a Dot Allison impersonation, and Siron is hurt by "Salvation"'s similarity to a Beth Orton song. The Congos, like Womack, inject Sleepwalking with great personality, but it's ultimately not enough to recommend an album that fails to maintain both mood and melody. The album simply begs for better arrangements and remixing. One can only hope that Rae & Christian arise from this slumber. ~ Tim DiGravina

Spin (4/01, p.163) - 7 out of 10 - "...Aural Glade....R&C abandon lathery fantasia for something a little earthier....sounding best when catering to their guest stars....Residual culture at its kindest." Entertainment Weekly (3/2/01, pp.70-1) - "A less-stoned sounding Massive Attack...favoring jazzy hip-hop and lush '70s soul....showing that UK club culture takes better care of American R&B vets than we do..." - Rating: B+ Q (4/01, p.109) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Winsome stuff....another triumph, brimming with soulful, languid grooves, deft samples and well-chosen guest singers..." Alternative Press (4/01, pp.84-5) - 4 out of 5 - "...Don't sleep on this...they move even further toward grasping the legacy of R&Bs forebears...providing music worthy of their participation..." Muzik (3/01, p.62) - 3 out of 5 - "...'Blazing the Crop' and 'Vai Viver A Vida' fairly crackle and the stark piano balladry of 'Salvation' featuring Siron is a stone-cold soul classic..." CMJ (3/5/01, p.16) - "...Shaped slow-and-low breaks, infusing hip-hop with UK clubland and producing heavenly downbeat sounds that carry gusto..." Mojo (Publisher) (3/01, p.98) - "...A sexy, soothing, tuneful, ambient and beautifully produced album..."

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