http://www.kindamuzik.net

ernaast

Onze laatste liverecensie.

Meindert Talma in De Amer.

Onze laatste albumrecensie.

M.I.A. weet wat ze wil.

Ons laatste interview.

Sin Ropas: scheuten en zwarte turf.

Onze laatste video.

Colin Benders: het geluk van de modulaire synthesizer.

Relax | Live @ Panama

Funky party music that lacks the tension of a real live performance.
CD, Warner

Tekst: Theo Ploeg

Publicatiedatum: 28 oktober 2002

What to write about Relax? This Dutch collective based in Haarlem Funk City has been building up a great live-reputation the past few years. Not surprisingly their debut album is recorded live in one of Amsterdam's most popular black-music clubs: Panama. To be honest Relax have some very good songs. Songs that breathe funk, energy and hip-hop. Songs that certainly have a black soul. No doubt Relax' live performances are a real tread. A enthusiastic collective moving on stage like a sweaty funky creature.
Problem is that the music isn't that special without their live show. With the exception of a few good songs. Like the up-tempo The Pocket, the funky So Many Fools, Yet So Little.. and the slow soulful Got Something to Say... The strange thing is: these songs would be great with a good studio production. But Live @ Panama isn't a studio album. It isn't a bad album either. But without the sophisticated studio possibilities to make things more interesting, most songs sound similar. Funky party music, nothing more, nothing less.