Search - Bentley Rhythm Ace :: Bentley Rhythm Ace

Lots or rhythm, little flourishes

Richard Diaz | 07/10/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"One of the many lesser bands to crack the States in the electronica "invasion" of 1997, this duo had the style label execs thought American audiences would eat up. It's easy to see why, as BRA layers on heavy doses of rhythm and groove then toss odd, cheeky samples throughout. Fatboy Slim anyone? Actually, they could take a lesson from labelmate and fan-fav Slim; the man knows the importance of a hook. His tunes may be simpler, but they're more infectious. BRA are stuck in the middle, developing tracks with twisting, lively basslines, fluctuating beats- and not much else. They come close a few times, and get it right with "Let There Be Flutes," thanks to, er, flutes, and "On Her Majesty's Secret Whistle," featuring, uh, whistles. Kudos are in order for the madcap, justly named "Return of the Hardcore Jumble Carbootechnodisco Roadshow." But the rest of the tracks make you wish they could have added that "something " to make them rise up. Bentley Rhythm Ace deliver the groove but forget the flourishes. B-"

Bigging up the Birmingham masseeevvee

lamyers6 | some transatlantic jawn | 09/30/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Now, I'm not normally one to praise my sometime home town too highly, but it has prodUced some excellent music, (think Pram and Broadcast rather than Ocean Colour Scene) and that includes this CD. I first got into Bentley as a result of my brother owning the Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out single, which I listened to over and over and stole and brought to foreign countries with me, and then he stole it back. This basically resulted in me having to go out and buy the album for myself, and I'm very glad I did.
It's getting 4 stars because it's not perfect...it doesn't really fill that niche where you can listen to a CD any time and it's always going to sound great, you have to be kind of in the mood for it.
That said, it is an awesome CD, I still love Bentley's gonna sort you out and Run on the Spot, Flutes and Midlander are also excellent.
Basically buy this CD if you like big beats and silly samples, kind of like Fatboy Slim with a sense of humour. I think the best way to determine whether or not you'll like this CD is to ponder the fact that Bentley's initials spell out the word BRA. If you find that amusing, you'll probably like the CD! (I think that's hilarious.)"

Bentley has the hook

pleiadespete | New Jersey | 10/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw the video for "Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out" and couldn't keep my eyes and ears from it. What a hook. These guys are fantastic and those waffles look mighty good too! Thank God for One-Click ordering."