Tosca are in full hypnosis mode for J.A.C., as the Viennese duo of Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber again show off their mastery of jazzy ambience. Dorfmeister and Huber have been busy since 2003's Dehli9, having had three kids between them (the album title is an acronym of their offspring's names) in the interim. Perhaps seeking a respite from the hectic onset of fatherhood, they've infused J.A.C. with a romp of bass lines and Bossa, staying away from the druggier, avant-garde material found on Dehli9. At first, it plays a bit too breezy, but later the record reveals more depth. Blunt-friendly beats make their way into the mix; "The Big Sleep" goes pretty deep into its own navel before the funk of "Damentag" brightens the mood. A few more listens, and you'll notice more musical diversity and the easy way Dorfmeister and Huber segue from chilly ("Naschkatze") to friendly ("Zuri"). Distinctive vocals from usual suspects Earl Zinger and Farda P along with newcomers Samiah Farah and Chris Eckman (of the Seattle-based Walkabouts) add spice. Once J.A.C. is in your player, it may be awhile before you take it out. -Matthew Cooke
Album Description
Change is a constant in life and it's this key factor that has informed the recent adventures in sound for Tosca. With their upcoming fourth artist album J.A.C. the theme of fatherhood is the tie that has bound these two men together in a newly recharged musical kinship. Between the release of their last acclaimed album Dehli 9 and their new masterpiece, the two have become fathers. This album is the most consistent formulation of both the carefree and the melancholic aspects of Tosca. The melodies quicken, the grooves are both fun loving and laidback. Huber and Dorfmeister have found both a fresh understanding of the art of understatement and a newly reformulated, breathtaking musical authenticity. Like the new life around them, J.A.C. similarly breathes new life into the characteristic sound of Tosca.
Besides the ever-present and celebrated Tosca mood, this new sound resonates with the vibrations of live instruments translated with a liveliness that captures the immediacy of creation and improvisation at its peak. It's this live, real instrumentation that marks the sound of the new Tosca album the most significantly.
The duo brought in a cast of new artists to perform vocals on the songs including Samiah Farah from Paris, Chris Eckman, lead singer of Seattle based band The Walkabouts, former Rockers Hi-Fi MC Farda P, Londoner Earl Zinger of 2 Banks of 4 and Austrian rock legend Graf Hadik all appear on the microphones.
J.A.C. is full of music that is light-footed and melancholic, cheerful and deep, relaxed and energetic. It's a sound that can be enjoyed everywhere, at any occasion.
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