Search - Vikter Duplaix :: International Affairs

The R&B record to beat so far this year in a weird way

Scott Woods | Columbus, Ohio United States | 03/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After putting together one of the most critically well-recieved mix CDs a year ago (no small feat in this DJ-saturated time), Philly-based producer Vikter Duplaix steps out from behind the mixing console and takes to the microphone...and the guitar, the drum set, the electric piano and the cool little egg-shaped percussion shakers. You could tell from Duplaix's "DJ Kicks" mix that his interests were diverse and decidedly world-wide in flavor, and his debut full-length record doesn't pull any punches in an attempt to sell more units. The album is daring and brave, and easily the R&B record to beat this year so far, just not for all the static, traditional reasons.Labeling "International Affairs" as an R&B record is problematic. Sure, there's plenty of soul here and the guy has worked with more than enough R&B acts to build cement his reputation as a great funk accessorizer. But once you actually play the thing? From the first sixty seconds you know that you're in for something just a touch out of left field. The first track - the aptly titled "Departure" - is an African drum rhythm with African singing on top that goes on long enough to make you wonder if you bought the right CD. This is only compounded by the primarily house track that follows, "What We Want", which certainly doesn't sell the CD since it's not one of the album's strongest tracks either. By track 3 ("Lust For Life") the electro-funk really kicks in, Duplaix figures you've passed the intiation, and we're getting the album we expected. He's not the best singer in the world but it's not like listening to a Babyface record, where you can picture just about anybody else singing the songs because you know the cat's primarily a producer. It's more like listening to a Sade record: sure, you can name better singers than the Queen of Sorrow all day, but NOBODY ELSE has any business singing those songs but Sade. These tracks are all Vikter's and the boy's got skills enough to know where his limits are and hit the right notes when it's important to do so, letting the music speak for itself for the most part. I'm shocked that, with his lyrical content so firmly fixated on the subject of love, that there's only one hardcore ballad on here and it isn't the strongest track (the okay "Late Night Rendezvous"). The middle of the album soars and while it still bounces a little from genre to genre, his flavor is still set dead center in the work."

This Guy Has Some Smoking Grooves

Karl Miller | Phoenixville, PA United States | 02/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are familiar with the upsurge in Philly Soul over the past few years, you may be familiar with Vikter Duplaix. A noted DJ, he has worked with Erykah Badu D'Angelo, Eric Benet and Jaguar Wright, among others, and has played a key role in Philadlephia's resurgence to the forefront of "real" soul music.
It's amazing that it has taken this long for Vikter to put out his first album, but the wait was well worth it. His music is a zany mix of soul grooves, island vibes, rock based guitar and drum work, elements of rap and some seriously juicy funk. It might sound a little bizarre, but it all works. Works very well, in fact.
The best song on this disc is "Come See Me", which reminds you of the classic funk sounds of such masters as Larry Graham. This is a serious 70's style jam, with live instrumentation and some wailing vocals. Vikter also makes some great club music (an offshoot of his DJ'ing), and you'll be hearing "What We Want" a lot this spring and summer. It has the percussive drive that marks a great dance song. Among the other highlights of the set is "Tropical Girl" with a Carribean/African beat and arrangement, and a killer vocal performance."

Soulful Seduction

Tennison | philadelphia, pa United States | 02/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to find a cd you can keep in rotation from the first track to the last, but I did! 'Looking for Love'-makes you long for soft kisses to be caressed into your neck, while dancing on a crowded club floor. 'Morena', makes all us brown-skinned girls feel truly loved & adored. If you can find a promo copy then you'll love 'Morning Fun'w/ guest apperance by Common...heck, that'll just make you want to have Vikter!Every track is like honey dripping slowing on to your brain-stimulating all your senses. It's 'R&B' with a 'hip-hop' flare stirred up with a bit of 'house'. Just stop reading this and go get it!"