Search - Santessa :: Delirium

Santessa is Sade to the 3rd Power!

Arish | PhOenix , aZ | 02/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A jewel in the Trip Hop Achieves!
Santessa's Delirium is a product directley produced by the guru's Stuart Mathewman & Sade Adu. This masterpiece at best is a journey into the music that Sade created and began with her 1992 Love Deluxe effort. Every since then groups such as Portishead, Tricky, Morcheeba and Everthing but the Girl formed an alliance Genre of what we call now Trip Hop. Sade returned in 2000 with Lover's Rock which was totally opposite of what everyone expected of the band. The alliance that she inspired she didn't follow, delivering 11 songs of bare accoustic reggie influenced tracks. I guess to avoid commercial intanglements the decided to pass what was ultimatley expected of them to there Protege Santessa. Santessa delivers 11 tracks of pure futuristic mystical cruising jams. This cd is comprised of Reggie, Funk, Trip hop & jazz influences with electronic futuristic overtones. This cd would very much in some places remind you of the old Sade but (A Futuristic Sade) with more innovative soundcapes backing the vocals. Santessa's voice is almost transparent it is very dreamy and smooth. The hole entire project is a masterpiece at best you will not be disappointed. This cd has a dark overtone throughout giving it a mystical and romantic feel. Santessa is a journey into space as she chants "In my own planet my only Space"! Santessa refers to her self as basically an Alien of some sort but with passion. Stuarts signature sax and Underwater guitar effects can be heard all through this baby! Santessa's soundcapes are backed by chunky basslines, accoustic guitar effects with digital computer analog sound effects. I hope this review is helpful to everyone!

1 Phased - Opening track with a pulsating bass with accoustics and electronic effects for support.2 Sometimes - A mystical Portishead sounding song.3 Eyes on You - Has a dance feel to it with a solid reggie bass with computer analog effects.4 Best thing - Jazzy smooth R&B sounding track very laid back.5 Nightimes - The Jam! This one sounds like a Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis old school funk production. Mid tempo Dance track with a Madonna sounding vocal arrangent. Santessa's voice is layered in electronic effects on this track.6 Too late - Has your signature Sade sound with Stuart on the sax a must have for the Sade fan! (An extremley beautiful song)7 Irresistible - Cruising funky city laid back type song with beautiful lyrics. 8 Space - Is a futuristic jam with pulsating bass smuthered in electronic echoing sound scapes. Very space age will drift you to another planet.9 I Be Me - Is a beautiful extremly catchy song with a beautiful hook and catchy verses. Very nice beat with a touch of jazz in it but mid tempo sort of.10 Joy - the least forvite off the Cd it is a laid back R&B sounding song not bad though.11 Nowhere- It is the happiest summery sounding track on this lp it has a good bye feel to it weird way to end such a dark experience!This is a great cd ! Don't Hesitate a jewel in the Trip Hop or Sade collection! This is for the eclectic listener only, Santessa's voice sounds nothing like Sade's she has a more dreamy tripped out voice but with soul! Don't mistake this for a Jazz commercial effort this is Trip Hop the advanced artform at best! You will Thank Me !Arish"