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Skinnie: My Heart Beats On The Moon
ByAs Mo'Jones, Skinnie and Mo' extensively toured in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium with acclaimed musicians such as jazz pianist Mike Roelofs, who likes to sip from different musical straws as much as the Jones' brothers do. Mo'Jones has released three albums so far, each differing in genre and style. Skinnie's been responsible for writing most of the tracks and kept a low profile when not on stage, whilst Mo,' as a singer and front man, took care of interviews and public relations. And now Skinnie is his own front man.
Skinnie Jones' debut as solo artist and featured vocalist is an EP of five tracks, the first in planned a series of three. The opening "Bittersweet Tears" has touches of Rickie Lee Jones' "Chuck E's in Love" and the Alessi Brothers' "Oh Lori," and deals with the memories of a love that once was. It's a very catchy tune, doing justice to Skinnie's deep and soulful timbre, with John Martyn, Keb' Mo' and J.J. Cale easily coming to mind as the tracks flow by. "My Heart Beats On The Moon" is somewhat dreamy in both lyrics and music, featuring multi-instrumentalist Bart Oostindie (who studied jazz guitar at the Maastricht Conservatory) and Roelofs, both former Mo'Jones band members. "I Got Everything" is up-tempo, with an irresistible invitation to sing along. It's all very easy on the ears and without pretense.
"Black Hole" delves a little deeper, setting a subtle tone with rhythmic guitar chords and Skinnie's deep voice in a repetitive and mesmerizing manner. Mo'Jones drummer Philip Kerkhofs adds to the color, keeping the repetitive trance intact until the next level's reached and Oostindie and Roelofs join in. The track stands out because of its tasteful arrangement and orchestrationlingering along its basic repetitive theme, with little hints of a restrained yet throbbing bass and the refined touch of Roelofs' piano towards the end.
"If Not For You" is a perfect finale, culminating the musicians' energy and returning to Skinnie's tell-it-like-it-is attitude, while blending moods and sounds. And all it takes is about 15 minutes to get hooked.
Track Listing
Bittersweet Tears; My Heart Beats On The Moon; I Got Everything; Black Hole; If Not For You.
Personnel
Skinnie: vocals, acoustic guitar; Philip Kerkhofs: drums, percussion; Bart Oostindie: bass, electric guitar, mandolin, lapsteel, bluesharp, backing vocals; Mike Roelofs: wurlitzer, north lead, hammond, grand piano, backing vocals.
Album information
Title: My Heart Beats On The Moon | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: REMusic Records
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