The follow up to the EP Ecstatic, Windblown Kiss is the first full-length release from LoveSprials. Being both a huge fan of Ryan Lum’s previous band Love Spirals Downwards and Anji Bee’s Delphinium and other projects such as Fishtank No. 9, I might have had hopelessly high expectations for this album. While the music is beautiful, it didn’t grab me by the heartstrings immediately the way old LSD did, nor pique my interest as much as Ecstatic and some of the other drum’n’bass leanings available on their mp3.com site. So I recommend the listener goes in with a more open mind than I did, or gives the record more than a few listens, which is what I ended up doing.
Anji’s voice has a traditional jazz/pop quality. Her phrasing and tendency to almost speak-sing somewhat resembles Blossom Dearie, and her sweeter, breathier tracks go more towards Astrud Gilberto (or for more modern examples look to Sneaker Pimps or The Cranes).
The title track is a soft, moody piece that combines the lovely guitar work from old-LSD with an almost Bossa Nova lilt, one that continues into the next song as well.
Two tracks feature the vocals and guitar of Sean Bowley from Eden, (one of the earlier ambient/ethereal Projekt bands) whose voice has this rich, Chris Isaak quality which the tracks themselves complement by leading off in almost spaghetti-western direction. These tracks round out the record nicely.
For me though the highlight is the “hidden,” old & scratchy blues track you’ll hear if you let the last song keep playing. There aren’t any credits so I don’t know if it is in fact a blues standard or not, but if it isn’t, it’s a terrific homage to that genre, complete with raspy Bessie Smith sounding vocals and even kazoo.
Bottom line, listeners that enjoy lots of genres of music especially jazz vocals will be floored, people expecting LSD “Mach II” will probably want to stick to their current CD collection, and those wanting something more experimental should pick up Ecstatic or visit http://www.mp3.com/lovespirals for some of their remixes and electronica.
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