Every now and again, as listeners of contemporary music, we find ourselves an artist - be it a producer or microphone controller that consistently throws creative material into our midst. Dan The Automator is a producer which whole-heartedly falls into this category.
From his work with Kool Keith, to his off the wall, yet quality release with Prince Paul (Handsome Boys Modeling School - "So, How's Your Girl?") to his role in the group Deltron, and, even his role in the group 'The Gorillaz,' Dan The Automator has consistently provided us with something we haven't heard.
'Lovage: Music To Make Love To Your Old Lady By' (great title, almost as good as The Melancholy Vibe Remix) is another, off the wall, yet nicely original release from The Automator or "Nathaniel Meriweather."
Enlisted upon this project (for the most part) are Mike Patton (of Faith No More) and Jennifer Charles (of Elysian Fields). These two singers create amazing vibes and moods when placing their smooth voices above Automator's beats. There are several outstanding tracks on 'Lovage', which cannot possibly be overlooked. 'Sex (I'm A)' features a very suppressed, sexually tense feel with Jennifer shining both on the hook and while she sings in verse. Mike Patton spars back and forth with her nicely, and the interwoven samples of husbands being sexually unsatisfied at home etc. work perfectly in their combination. 'To Catch A Thief' and 'Strangers On A Train' are other beautiful examples of this. With bold music and literally perfect singing meshing together seamlessly. And the extremely laidback vibe of 'Lifeboat' is priceless.
Jennifer Charles is superb on this album. Her singing encapsulates you so much that you may as well be being hypnotized, and when effects are placed upon her voice such as on 'Archie & Veronica' - you have absolutely no choice but to succumb to the chosen vibe. The track, which also features more beautiful back and forth singing from The Automator's brilliantly chosen duo talks about death basically, and things ending. It's done very, very well...and you end up ignoring the subject matter frequently, just because the song holds its own so much.
Deltron co-member Kid Koala and even Blur's Damon Albarn (who's also part of The Gorillaz) come through to feature on this well assembled project. Albarn talks over "Love That Lovage Baby" about swapping Brandy with Hennessey to create a more interesting English Alcoholic Cordial of all things. Maseo (De La) and Afrika Bambaataa also come through on 'Lovage' to add both to the comedic value and overall value of the album.
Dan The Automator is without a doubt one talented producer, with an extremely creative incite into the creation of quality, innovative music. 'Lovage: Music To Make Love To Your Old Lady By' is without a doubt, a worthy addition to any fan of somewhat originally assembled material.
