Mr. Neveux

This trend to “imaginary soundtracks” is all the rage. For some, suggesting specific visual ideas to accompany your music is a way to distract from half-formed songs; the promo blurb that accompanies Tuba urges us to imagine an “action/spy/thriller” movie. From the Vox organs to the John Barry-ish samples, there is a merriness about the CD that is very appealing. All told, Tuba doesn’t exhibit many soundtrack-like tendencies: most cuts on this album are pretty much in the style of Cup Of Tea’s (Mr. Neveux’s British label) song-oriented breakbeat jaunts. There are few sudden shifts in mood, rhythm or volume that characterise music as an accompaniment to visuals. The two major exceptions to this are “the Lesson” and “Malcor S’Eclate…,” unquestionably the most suite-like works on the CD. The only tune actually used in a movie, “Those Who Love Me Can Take The Train,” is a superb slow jam that closes out the album. Droll French vocal samples abound, although they might interfere with on-screen dialogue in an actual movie. Matter of fact, why not just skip the movie altogether, switch on the ballgame and put this on to make the commentary more interesting.