Amazon.co.uk Review
Ape Sounds is the debut LP from Japan's Nigo, best known for his clothing label Bathing Ape--a cult product dripping with "Planet of The Apes" motifs and celebrated status as a hyper-cool brand. Not a regular musician, Nigo performs an art director's role (although he plays drums) on the album--guiding a creative team of Lavelle, DJ Kudo, Money Mark, Ben Lee, Cornelius and Takagi Ken (Major Force). The result is (at times) a self-consciously cool mix of punk, trip hop and knowing adult pop. Some of it's fun--"Kung Fu Fighting" combines laconic Japanese rap with a neatly orchestrated remake of a Bruce Lee soundtrack. Ben Lee's contribution "Free Diving" is breathlessly fantastic--a wry and urbane vocal walking smoothly over an explosive, pop-rock thrashout. Also good is "The Very Urgent Dub" where Money Mark brings sass to a Pablo and Maurizio referencing stoner anthem. Some cuts feel vague but whatever Nigo lacks in expression he more than compensates for with style.--
Tony Marcus