Amazon.co.uk Review
Fair play ought to dictate that being a Radio 1 DJ should rather disqualify you from the process of being a popular recording artist, but little on this earth, it appears, is cut out to stop Zane Lowe.
The Sound Inside marks Lowes return to Breaks Co-Op, the mid-90s breaks outfit he fronted alongside fellow New Zealander Hamish Clark. Those expecting the adrenaline-pumping delivery Lowe brings to the airwaves, however, will be comprehensively wrong-footed by this low-key, roots-flavoured offering. Inspired more by the honeyed soul of Marvin Gaye and the sun-baked Americana of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young than the more synthetic end of downtempo beat-making, much of
The Sound Inside hinges on the timeless, soulful vocal of new collaborator Andy Lovegrove, whose dusty croon invigorates "The Otherside" and the swooning "Too Easily"--a homage to jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Theres the occasional bland moment like "A Place For You", something youd never expect from a motormouth like Lowe. Taken as an attempt to reconcile the gentle aural landscaping of trip-hop with a more organic, real-time feel, however, its a pleasant listen and a qualified success. --
Louis Pattison
From the Label
Drawing from influences as diverse as Marvin Gaye and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to Sebadoh and DJ Shadow, Anglo-New Zealand trio Breaks Co-Op release
The Sound Inside, their stunning new album.
Originally formed in Auckland, NZ by Zane Lowe and Hamish Clark, the band released the electronic debut album Roofers in 1997 before leaving New Zealand to pursue other interests. After several years hiatus, Zane and Hamish eventually started working on new material in 2004, recruiting Andy Lovegrove from British artist/producers The Away Team after hearing a demo of him sing and deciding his was the voice born to sing their music.
Released last year in New Zealand, The Sound Inside has been a double-platinum selling hit, with lead single "The Otherside" the No.1 airplay hit of 2005 and winner of Song Of The Year at the NZ Music Awards.
An album of languid, hypnotic beauty, The Sound Inside combines live instrumentation and vocals with lovingly sourced samples to create a sound all of their own.