re-creation (rek’re-a’sh?n) – n. [See Re-create.] A forming anew; a new creation or formation.
recreation (rek’re-a’sh?n) – n. Refreshment of one’s mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates; play.
Now overanalyzing words like I like to do, it makes sense to me that the word re-creation and recreation are virtually the same. Using the same logic it seems reasonable that the word recreation comes from the word re-creation. Now it’s bit presumptuous for me to draw the conclusion that this logic is the reason the latest Naked Music album Re-Creation is titled as such, but given the re-creating and recreating this music emotes, I feel pretty safe making such an assumption.
This isn’t my first time around the block with Naked Music, mind you. We go back a ways. Admittedly, though, it’s been awhile.
This album reunites Jay Denes (aka Blue Six) with longtime collaborators: Dave Boonshoft and Catherine Russell from Blue Six, Mark Anthony Jones (Summerland, Lisa Shaw), Saul Rubin (Aya) and newcomer Tabitha Fair. However, Naked Music, fronted by Denes, originally began in 1998. It was, and still is, made up of several forward thinking collaborators that create a very eclectic and soulful whole.
You may recall a certain album entitled What’s On Your Mind, the first in a long running series of down-tempo classics from the creative collective and/or label, Naked Music. More recently, however, Denes has proven to be the true backbone of Naked Music, contributing most frequently with stunning artist albums and noteworthy remixes of hits by Sade and Maxwell. Back to the album.
As if no time has passed at all, the opening track “Pleasure Seeker,” reminds me that all is still well with my old friends. This super-sexy, bass guitar laden track, with its seductively slow four-count beat, will put even the most apprehensive of listeners at ease. As if the first song didn’t do it, the rest of the album continues drawing you into its subtle warmth and funky groove with songs like the heavily percussive, “Heroin Chic” and Brazilian influenced “Samba Contigo.”
In pleasing contrast, we have tracks like “This Time Around” and “Hurry,” driven by funky basslines, sultry R&B vocals and slightly more up-tempo beats. Finally, the album’s title track, which serves as a more than suitable final song for this collection, draws together all of the elements and moods of the preceding tracks.
As I wrap up this disc, I recall the number of memorable occasions that Naked Music or any of its members contributed to, whether it be a Mojito in a friends backyard or an upscale lounge downtown, and am pleased to announce this latest entry is basically another 49 minutes of good times. Naked Music releases Re-Creation on July 8, 2008, just in time for summer.
