Faze Action

The second full-length release by British brothers Robin and Simon Lee, Moving Cities is a solid, earthy album filled with wonderfully rich dance music. African, Latin, disco and jazz influences and elements are right up front, with Simon being a DJ and serious collector who's funked up many a dance floor, and Robin a classically trained musician and jazz-head who studied at Goldsmiths College. On songs such as "Got To Find a Way" and the title track, Robin's string arrangements and orchestral sensibilities soar over fresh, phat dance floor friendly beats, thick funky bass lines, and elegant, organic sounds. Add spacy synths and heaps of percussion, and you have the makings of music that is at once deeply referential and highly original. Former Orange Juice and Style Council drummer Zeke Manyika lends both his percussive talent and compelling vocals to the Afro-funk feel of "To Love is To Grow" and "Kariba," the latter a completely addictive dance floor mash-up propelled by horns and woodwinds. "Mas" is a stormer; more on the funked out Latin disco tip, it's driven by chunky bass, funky guitar licks, and more percussion that you can shake a stick at. For something completely different, check the soul jazz vibe of "Heartbeat," a lovely little quiet storm featuring the vocals of Vanessa Freeman.