Steve Rachmad - Neo Classica

I quite enjoying listening to this one. Rachmad knows how to walk on a thin fence, no man's land territory, as he flirts with many styles and ideas, but never gets locked within any one in particular. The music is subtle, suitable for dancing yes, but more appropriate for an intimate after party, though my listening experience tells me "Neo classica" works best when taken in one go, while doing some work on your feet (such as working out, cleaning dust or strolling through the park...)
Overall, the music draws in elements of acid, some computer game like effects (Electronic Afternoon), while character traits of electro, techno and tech house are all over, all of which is graced with constant groove and deep melodies.
Like Arigato, with its electroish melody and underlying percussion which invites your feet to tap along, or maybe My Tikkie Tik and A Fabla, two emotional Detroit techo numbers, with soulful chords. Moving on to I Am A Machine, where a robotized vocal says just that, while a throbbing electro bass line calls to the dance floor, just as those 303s make way and tickle your ear drums! Maybe my favorite here, Levigi, with a such a gorgeous and joyus spiralling melody just bursting out of the speakers with more and more urge to be heard the more you turn the volume up! A beautiful piece of work, and it never gets tiresome.
The tracks themselves are occasionally broken up by brief interludes, and while I could have done it without those, they in no way break the album's flow.
Overall, I was very content with this one. It avoids the boring formula most blindly follow, goes left, and seeks influence where others don't even consider peeking. What else could you expect from a veteran like Rachmad?
Whether you are a casual listener, club head, house or techno fan, or you're just looking to smartly invest your budget, I would strongly suggest placing your money on Steve Rachmad this time around. This album is that good, if not better. No weak points, and a few of these tracks are still regulars in my player!

Neo Classica is one of the best releases in 2006.

Even if "10 - I'm a machine" is my fav. track, the whole album is just amazing, a good mix between deepness and rockin' electronic beats; right sound for dancing. :D

Some tracks sound a little bit like music from the early nineties, which is a good choice nowadays where most lables produce minimal.