Search - Systems in Blue :: Out Of The Blue

Universe In Blue

Rix Roundtree | Washington, DC United States | 06/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Systems In Blue is a part of the Modern Talking universe and like own universe, the Modern Talking universe is also expanding. It now includes a large variety of acts that have built upon the Modern Talking sound, acts like Fresh Fox, T.M.-Joy, Johnny M5, Mark Ashley and Systems In Blue. Systems In Blue takes the keyboard wizardry, high pitched vocals, electronics and euro/italo dance rhythms of the Modern Talking universe and uses them as if they were the carbon and other building blocks of life found in our universe to create their astounding new CD "Out Of Blue."



I did not expect much from "Out of the Blue." I have Systems In Blue's first CD "Point Of No Return," and though it is good it is a too slick and polished production that comes across sounding like an album created by backing vocalist/studio session musicians trying to imitate the Modern Talking sound, thus it has no personality of it's own. I imagined "Out Of The Blue" would be more of the same, boy, was I wrong.



"Out of the Blue" is an outstanding CD far superior to "Point Of No Return." With "Out Of The Blue" you can feel (and hear) that SIB have come into their own. They sing each song with intensity; an intensity that stamps personality all over "Out Of The Blue." They no longer sound like back up vocalist/session musician imitators, they sound like a band, an awesome band.



First up there is the track "Dr. No." The intro to this song reminded me of C. C. Catch's "I Could Lose My Heart Tonight" and I almost expected to hear her start singing. Then as SIB begins to sing to the chugging syncopated continental euro disco I wondered just what this song was about? I wondered was it a song that just happened to have the same name as a 007 film, was this song a vague reference to that film, what? Then after listening to the song I realized it was about the film. You could say it is an updated movie theme song for the film. Throughout the song you hear references to Dr. No, Crab Key, and "the dragon." Ursula Andress' character Honey Ryder is mentioned but the name "Honey Ryder" is used as a metaphor for beauty, romance and sex. "Dr. No" also contains that musical element of danger that a 007 theme must have. The song is so good that it had me wishing that SIB could get the job of producing the title song for the next 007 film "Quantum of Solace." Imagine that, a eurodance/italo disco James Bond theme; wouldn't that be wonderful (not to mention a first)?



The song "Back To Life" conjures up images of the Bee Gees during their mid to late `70's heydays. If a 21st century remake was made of the film "Saturday Night Fever" this song would be on the sound track album. It's like the Bee Gee's "You Should Be Dancing" on electronically injected steroids.



SIB continues the tradition of the French song, this time it's the beautiful "Les Yeux de L'Amour." This is a great song that makes you want to dance and sing along with at the same time. Yet the music is so good if you close and let the music take you over you find yourself transported to a Paris night, you are sitting in a small café on the left bank of the Seine River sipping a glass of wine as you listen to the engaging SIB sound.



You will not be able to help yourself, your body will shake to "Summer '97." This song is definite dance floor filler. It's a melding of 80's and 90's italo siphoned through the 21st century technology. Imagine 80's italo icon Sabrina's "All Of Me (Boy oh Boy)," mixed with Connie Nice's 90's dance floor monster "Dancing In the Night," mixed with Fresh Fox's 21st century smash "No Goodbye," that's "Summer '97," it's irresistible.



The final track on the CD is the title track "Out Of The Blue" and it is runaway frenetic electricity. A stellar production with incredible vocals and a rhythm made for the dance floor. Those high pitched background vocals that SIB are famous for are at their best here, they scream out "out of the blue-could it be true" like bolts of searing white lightening, and they are sooooo good.



I just mentioned a few of the great tracks on "Out Of The Blue" there are many more like, "Heaven and Hell," "Two Faces," and "Shangri-La." As I mentioned SIB really come into their own with this fantastic CD. When you listen you can hear the musical confidence that the singers and musicians possess. You will also notice with "Out Of The Blue" SIB has crafted a sound all their own. They now sound like a band that has built upon the Modern Talking sound, not a group of studio musicians trying to imitate it.



If you are not familiar with Systems In Blue you must make your introduction with "Out Of The Blue" now, then pick up SIB's "Point Of No Return" later. "Point Of No Return" is a good CD and contains some really good tracks like, "Point Of No Return," "Voodoo Queen," "1001 Nights," and "Every Little Thing." But though good the songs have a sameness sound about them. "Out Of The Blue" is much better in that each song is an exceptional individual gem and each has a personality all it's own. Strung together the 12 songs on "Out Of The Blue" make one incredible piece of music that you will play over and over again.



I thank SIB for taking me back to MT's universe as it has been quite awhile since I last visited there. The last time I visited this universe I was taken there via T.M.-Joy's 2007 CD "Passion and Pain." I'd like to spend more time in this universe and with Amazon.com's help I just might. Mark Ashley has a brand new CD out titled "Heartbreak Boulevard;" I see that Amazon.com isn't selling it yet so i'm down on my knees begging them please, please, please get a couple copies to sell, you know I'll buy one. Also Amazon.com later this year there will be a new album from Fresh Fox; I can hardly wait as this means another exciting journey to Modern Talking's universe. So Amamzon.com (I'm begging again), when Fresh Fox's CD is released please carry it too, again, you know I will purchase a copy.



How many other bands besides Modern Talking have created an entire universe? The answer is none. Though legendary not the Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson, or even Abba created a universe were pieces of European literature, imagery, phrases, culture, real and unreal icons, legends, history, mythology, dance rhythms, keyboard work and electronics are flung together to form a mythical universe with a language and music all it's own.



Want to take an incredible journey into Modern Talking's "Universe?" If so, mix, create a CD, MP3, or throw these tracks together on your Ipod, then sit back and enjoy this amazing trip:



"Cherry Chery" Tony Turn

"Strangers By Night" C. C. Catch

"Lonely" Plazma

"I Wanna Hear Your Heartbeat" Bad Boys Blue

"One Nights Not Enough" T.M.-Joy

"Arabian Gold" Modern Talking

"When The Angels Cry" Fresh Fox

"Don't Lose Your Heart" Joy Peters

"El Matinero" London Boys

"Run For Cover" Mark Ashley

"Llama L`Amour" Charlie G

"Flames of Love" Fancy

"Point of no Return" Systems In Blue

"Only one night" The Hurricanes

"Buona Sera - Ciao Ciao" Mauro

"

If you miss Modern Talking, just buy it

Mikhail Sukhenko | 07/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not going to write a lengthy review. Out of all those Modern Talking like bands, this one is THE ONLY ONE that is worth is. Just buy the CD and thank me later after feel like Dieter Bohlen went back to 1985 and produced another great album.

"