Faze Action - Plans & Designs

The stripped down sound of 'Plans and Designs' with its disco-nouveau flare is something not to be missed. IMO these guys lost the plot when they added vocals and went for the fuller package on later releases. This release is great because it isn't overloaded with bland vocals but is brimming with live sounding deep disco funk and is layered with effects. Everyone has heard 'In The Trees' by now but it is gems like 'Turn the Point' that really get me going. Excellent stuff.

Faze Action’s debut, Plans & Designs, is a beautifully sweeping album, full of house (with more than a bit of disco thrown in there). What’s most notable, however, is their use of orchestra strings to create an epic feel. The title track makes this immediately evident, with some timpani drums coursing through the song. “Original Disco Motion” takes everything that was good about disco and puts it into a modern context. “In & Out” gives us some reverb on the drum track that carries over onto the horns, while “Turn the Point” adds some dreamy electric guitars. Some of the tracks could use more distinction, as they don’t sound individual enough, but with the standout track, “In the Trees,” there’s no mistaking its whirling strings and funk bass. A wonderful debut.