Operet, a collaboration between Eastern Mediterranean singer Viv Corringham and experimental guitarist Peter Cusack, is one of those very few gems that blend songwriting, traditional music, and avant-garde -- the closest comparison in terms of approach would be the early '80s Japanese group After Dinner. Corringham's deep mezzo voice (similar to Jewish singer Chava Alberstein) graces the seven songs included here. Cusack's work is split in two: inspired but straight guitar and bouzouki playing, laying down strummed chords or leading Arabic-sounding lines on one side, heavy electronic treatments on the other. The electronic work includes live sampling, various digital enhancements, and the inclusion of environmental recordings of London and snippets from more traditional recordings of some of the songs. Three of them come from Macedonian, Azerbaijan, and Turkish folklore. Singer and guitarist are supported by few but impressive musicians: London free improv's in-demand bassist John Edwards, laying down some delicate work; soprano saxophonist Tom Chant; and Sukhdeep Singh on tabla (he plays a mean solo on My Heart's in Motion). The electronic and acoustic aspects of the album come together nicely, the former tying up the latter without killing its spirit. Operet feels like a phantasized journey. The listener dreams awake of Eastern Mediterranean villages, but he is still sitting in a London (or any other big city) apartment: street sounds keep cutting in, disturbing the force -- some of them you won't know if they come from your speakers or your windows until you listen to Operet a few times. Strongly recommended to fans of intelligent avant-pop (Anna Homler, Iva Bittova, Haco, etc.). ~ François Couture, Rovi

1		Half Life
2		Stojan Na Stanka
3		My Heart's in Motion
4		Operet
5		Jenny McNeilly
6		Hasretim Yavruma
7		Intro (Holloway Road)
8		Holloway Road

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