Liquid Love
Author: Alex De Lacey
View album and artist detailsAlbum and Artist Details
Artist/band: |
Onom Agemo & the Disco Jumpers |
Label: |
Agogo Records |
Magazine Review Date: |
November/2017 |
Any album from a band with a name this bizarre is sure to be eclectic and Liquid Love is just that. This is the second album from the Berlin-based Afrobeat quintet and it is a vibrant affair, but also a frustrating one. Opener ‘Liquid Love’ is the most focused, with a solid groove, catchy horn line and warm vintage organ sounds, while the remainder of the record is bloated and lacks cohesion.
‘Opus’ has some great moments, especially after four minutes, when percussionist Bernd Oezsevim lays down a killer beat. Up until that point, though, the track is so heavily laden with synthesizers that it sounds like the backing for a malfunctioning circus act. Similarly, the four-part album closer ‘Somebody’ features some alluring vocals – three local singers chosen for their folkloric sensibilities – but deteriorates into a cacophonous dirge by part two.
Liquid Love is certainly ambitious, but falls short of achieving its goals. Outside of the title-track and the very enjoyable ‘Kurifuna’, its musical content feels more like an experimentation or jam session than a composed piece of work. If you're looking for something fun and quirky, though, there's certainly enough here to keep you entertained.
‘Opus’ has some great moments, especially after four minutes, when percussionist Bernd Oezsevim lays down a killer beat. Up until that point, though, the track is so heavily laden with synthesizers that it sounds like the backing for a malfunctioning circus act. Similarly, the four-part album closer ‘Somebody’ features some alluring vocals – three local singers chosen for their folkloric sensibilities – but deteriorates into a cacophonous dirge by part two.
Liquid Love is certainly ambitious, but falls short of achieving its goals. Outside of the title-track and the very enjoyable ‘Kurifuna’, its musical content feels more like an experimentation or jam session than a composed piece of work. If you're looking for something fun and quirky, though, there's certainly enough here to keep you entertained.
