Louie Vega – Elements Of Life “Extensions”
(US / UK Vega Records, 2005)
Jungle Fever – Cerca De Mi – Sunshine – Ma Mi Mama – Let The Children Play – Love Is On The Way
– Journey’s Prelude – Thousand Fingered Man – Mon Amour – Mozalounge – Nos Vida – A Better Day
– Steel Congo
This may not appeal to all, but for me this is a brilliant example of quality soulful dance music.
Those of you who are familiar with Louie Vega from his work back in the early 90s with Marc Anthony,
Masters At Work and Nuyorican Soul will know what to expect with this album.
“Extensions” is a remix project from various dance floor names having involvement.
I have yet to hear the original set but general consensus is that this set is bar far
superior to the original. The whole CD is really quite listenable, and it starts off in a
rather downtempo groove with the lush and humid “Jungle Fever” and the excellent “Cerca De Mi”
which features new EMI-Manhattan vocal talent, Raul Midon who provides a very good
Frank McComb like performance prior to it flanging into a whopping great dancer.
This has caught a few discerning dancefloors alight here in the UK that much I know.
“Sunshine” is unashamedly Latin and features the excellent Blaze and Raul Midon along with
a great rhythm section and strings. Speaking of Blaze, they guest again on the excellent
“Love Is On The Way” which is so much like the quality material that we can hear on their
essential “Spiritually Speaking” album from 2002. This is very soulful and easily overshadows
a lot of the rubbish out there that passes as dance music these days. The throwback to the
70s disco scene is never far away where Louie is concerned. Just think about the awesome
Salsoul-ish “Backfired” from “Our Time Is Coming” and you’ll know what I mean.
Here to complement this we have the SUPERB haunting tribute to Candido.
The “Thousand Fingered Man” is a direct reference to this stupendous percussionist and again
Louie proves he knows his onions and is aware of the rich tapestry of black music that laid
the path for much of today’s quality dance music. I love this, the irresistible groove,
the 70s funky guitar riffs and timely bongos all revel in the rhythm and warm leading keyboard.
Excellent for a hot summer day, is this. Some of this CD is unashamedly Afro Cuban in
places, but it is within the cosy Brazilian style that “Mozalounge” is set. The superb
scat vocal, piano and light hi hat beat whisks me away again to Rio. Again, a warm
Latin feel drenches “Mos Vida”, which is a great track but unfortunately I am reminded
of 70s sitcom Robin’s Nest when I hear the opening keyboard. It does, umm, tend to lessen
the impact of this excellent jiggler!!!
Raul Midon bounces back with a blinding vocal track “A Better Day” and provides us with
one of the best highlights on this set. Pity that Raul’s own album is as boring as hell
– unless you’re a fan of Norah Jones and Katie Melua, that is. What a waste of talent.
Still, at least he is allowed to shine his ample soulful chops on this smooth bouncer.
I also love the rattly jungle groove of “Steel Congo” which has a warm Caribbean flavour.
Mind you, I usually hate steel drums, as they are to me like nails down a blackboard,
and would normally take to them with a sledgehammer, but these sound very good on here!!!
I strongly recommend this album. If you were interested I would not linger too long as
I have it that this is not easy to come by. Well recommended!
- Barry Towler
