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 Rae and Christian Nocturnal Activity (K7) by Derek Sawyer As if responding to criticism that last year's Sleepwalking lacked pizzazz, British producers Mark Rae and Steve Christian issue an album of re-workings that vastly improve upon the original tracks. Where its predecessor came off like a patchwork compilation of popular but paint-by-numbers club styles, Nocturnal Activity is soulful, snappy and focused. This success is achieved in large part by the inclusion of stellar outside assistance -- remixes by heavyweights like the Nextmen and Groove Armada strip the songs of their too-smooth varnish and elevate the intriguing elements of previously aimless numbers. The album's many collaborations particularly benefit from this remix strategy; for instance, the acoustic version of "Get a Life," featuring legendary R&B crooner Bobby Womack, is a scaled-down and souled-out tale of a breathy phone-stalker that works because the emphasis is on Womack's frazzled exasperation. Likewise, the two tracks with the Los Angeles rap collective the Pharcyde are appropriately beat and bass-heavy, eschewing the bells and whistles of overproduced hip-hop in favor of hard drums and catchy loops that perfectly compliment the rhymes. |
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