Parov Stelar

The expansion into and incorporation of jazz in the electronic scene is a concept far from new, but its impact is best felt on a disc like Coco. Parov Stelar approaches the double album from an innovative standpoint, dismissing the habit of ignoring less prominent tracks on an album by creating something of enviable proportions. Jazz and swing shine through on Coco, the bold brass and beautiful arrangements blending with minimal house and electro elements, melancholic piano and sax. With six singers from different genres making appearances, Stelar creates a melodious patchwork of sounds across 26 tracks. The first disc plays more with guest vocals (with eight of the 13 tracks collaborations), hitting the mark with songs like the evolving "True Romance" (featuring Lilja Bloom) and "Distance" (featuring Lylith) but feeling forced and ridiculously out of place on hip-hop-tinged tracks like "Let's Roll" (featuring Blaktroniks) and "Sunny Bunny Blues" (featuring Veda 36). "The Mojo Radio Gang" (radio and club versions) opens and closes the faster paced, swing-laced second disc, the song's vibrant horns an indication of the path subsequent songs follow. Looped keys, pulsing beats, wild brass, layered instrumentation and an upbeat ragtime vibe filter through the tracks, with standouts "Silent Snow," "Catgroove" and "Monster" worthy of any dance floor.