LaNote on vocals. As Valet on the beats. Two immensely talented musicians formally of dope soul/electronica four piece Electric Conversation from Paris.
LaNote & As Valet have a unique take on soul music with abstract rhythms and filtered textures yet memorable and beautiful songs with a genuine warmth of feeling, which is missing in so much contemporary music.
This is pure expression with all the ingredients you could wish for.
Deep sonics and lush samples serving as the perfect grounding for LaNote’s on point vocals and sincere lyrics. The album includes ‘Week-End’ which has also been remixed by the legendary DJ Spinna and ‘One Way’, blessed by a beautiful remix from Marc Rapson, with both gaining support on the digital airwaves world wide. (Both included on this vinyl version). Further remixes come from the excellent aCatCalledFritz, Mecca:83, Simon S, Nicky Lars, Dusty (from Jazz Liberatorz) and more...
Like audio pages of her personal and musical diary, this album represents LaNote’s life in music, soul, humanity and above all, LOVE.
I’m so thankful for my other half who created this album with me and my Bro for believing in me and putting it out!
Thank you Universe for blessing me with my Children & Family
(Blood & Soul) and their everlasting love.
Life is a cycle, this is my Rebirth.
Peace
LaNote
'Rebirth' marks the brand new album release from vocalist and producer LaNote marking her return to the Futuristica fold.
Courtesy of her efforts as part of the Parisian quartet, Electric Conversation, LaNote's name will forever be etched into the annals of Futuristica Music's history but with the label now celebrating their fifteenth year of releasing music, her official return makes the year all that more special.
Along with fellow band members As Valet, Oz and Gus La Temp, Electric Conversation went on to deliver an incredible hip-hop inspired blend of future soul which is still prevalent to fans all these years later. It was a comparatively young Electric Conversation that scored the opportunity to open for Silhouette Brown in Paris in 2006 that afforded them the chance to meet Deborah Jordan - Silhouette Brown vocalist at the time - and subsequently open the doors to Futuristica Music. The union would spawn two full-length albums - 'Communication' (2007) and 'Electric Conversation' (2013) - which are rightfully highly revered projects and regarded as modern day classics.
As her unique vocal delivery allowed her to interchange her style between singing and rapping over Dilla-inspired productions, LaNote's talent and ability was glaringly obvious. Several projects outside of Electric Conversation have been blessed by LaNote's vocal contributions including projects by As Valet, Jazz Chronicles, ZigSixteen and Deborah Jordan, along with her production work for artists including Belgian rapper Masto Xico.
As if 'Rebirth' couldn't be any more appealing - a phrase that may very well be used again before this review is complete - the album also enlists the boundless talents of Electric Conversation partner, As Valet, as the project's producer further adding to the serendipitous nature of 'Rebirth's release.
For the self-described "abstract-instrumental-space-hip hop beat producer", As Valet's mouth-watering (re)union with LaNote really goes on to generate something incredibly special - with many of the tracks hovering around that two-and-a-half to three-minute mark, the project's beat-tape style, use of lush samples, hip-hop-inspired production and soulful aesthetic... it all works beautifully as a fitting extension to Electric Conversation's legacy.
Through both, musically and thematically, much of 'Rebirth' strongly resonates with As Valet's own 'Inner Journey' - released last year through A Night on Canopy Records. And while the third solo project from Valet served as something of a spiritual reconnection to his roots in the Caribbean Island of La Martinique, much of 'Rebirth' serves as LaNote's spiritual reconnection to music. Music, as in LaNote's decided focus towards releasing projects in a solo capacity, and music as a vessel for her own, perhaps cathartic, level of personal and social commentary. Taking 'SOS' as an example - the album's incredibly powerful closing number which addresses the Black Lives Matter voices. Classic music by no less than legends like Curtis Mayfield, Gil Scott-Heron, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, James Brown... all ask timeless questions about the society they grew up in and questions that sadly still ring relevant today. Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On?' serves as a great example... maybe we're destined to always ask that question but it's certainly a question people still ask nearly 50 years later.
As if 'Rebirth' couldn't be any more appealing [hmm!] - the album's second disc presents a series of remixes from long-time friends and affiliates providing some fantastic takes courtesy of Mecca:83, aCatCalledFritz, DJ Spinna, Simon S, Marc Rapson, Kn7azz amongst others.
The first full-length project from Futuristica's fifteenth year couldn't set the stage any better for what promises to be an awesome year for the label. 'Rebirth' is a wonderful homage to everything that came before it - as previously mentioned, it serves as a fitting extension to Electric Conversation's legacy but at the same time lays the groundwork for LaNote as a solo artist in her own right.
Imran Mirza
Blue In Green RADIO/UK Vibe
credits
released March 19, 2021
Written by Caroline Marks and Chris Davidas
Mixed by LaNote
Produced by As Valet
Executive producer Simon S
Mastered by Taz Mattar
Images and front cover design by SeeDreeks
Layout by Sam Egarr
Formally of Parisian soul/electronica quartet Electric Conversation, LaNote is a vocalist and producer with a beautiful
human touch who has had a 'Rebirth' in music after having three wonderful children. As a beautiful singer and song writer, she has created a very personal album that feels like an intimate audio diary of her life so far with a unique soulfulness only she can bring....more
Georgie’s voice has the depth, energy and expression of an already established artist. Awesome production/keys, beats and bass supports this vocal talent with a precision rare for a first album venture. So beautifully balanced this album looks to be a gem in anyone’s collection, another great work from Futuristica Music. alastair marriott / DjSquirrel
Havent heard music like this with such smooth beats, melodies, and beautiful voices in a while! This entire album speaks to my soul! I can't stop listening to each song! Thank you for this album! mzstacie
The hotly anticipated debut from Georgie Sweet—who’s earned praise from Gilles Peterson—rests her soulful voice over tasteful arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 25, 2020
Crackling R&B from Deborah Jordan that captures the spirit of the mid ’90s and has won acclaim from The Foreign Exchange & more. Bandcamp New & Notable May 11, 2020