OLIVIA DE LANZAC-SPANISH MONK.

dereksmusicblog ♦ November 23, 2012 ♦ Leave a comment

OLIVIA DE LANZAC-SPANISH MONK.

Recently, I had the pleasure of reviewing Olivia De Lanzac’s forthcoming album for BBE Music Uncut, which will be released on 26th November 2012. This will be Olivia’s sophomore album, and the followup to 2010s Baby Let’s Play House. Uncut is a genre-crossing collection of compelling and eclectic tracks. It’s almost as if everything Olivia has previously released, and everyone she has collaborated with, have influenced the nine tracks on Uncut. There’s everything from funk, hip hop, ambient, jazz, Latin, dub, drum and bass and Indian music. Apart from a multiplicity of musical genres, the influences on Uncut are just as plentiful. Nightmares On Wax, Sly and Robbie, Brian Eno, Massive Attack and Leftfield all spring to mind. One of my favorite tracks on Uncut, was Spanish Monk, which featured one of Olivia’s best vocals. Indeed, Spanish Monk is the perfect introduction to the multitalented Olivia De Lanzac, whose a songwriter, musician, arranger and producer. Before I tell you about Spanish Monk, I’ll tell you about Olivia’s musical odyssey, that’s seen her cross two continents and live in three separate different countries.

Olivia De Lanzac was born in the Congo, brought up in Greece and now, is based in London. This journey has influenced Olivia’s musical career and her work as an artist and producer. Before embarking on a solo career, Olivia was a member of Quad Throw Salchow. They released their debut single Unwelcome Guest in 2006, on Try Science Records. A year later, in 2007 Olivia embarked on her solo career. 

Baby Let’s Play House Parts 1 and 2 was Olivia’s debut single, released in 2007, for Tony Carrasco’s Multitronix label. In 2008, Olivia released two further singles, Hush and Steppin’ N2 Rhythm.

Later in 2008, Quad Throw Salchow released their second single. Quad Throw Salchow’s second single was Chrome September, released on the Tummy Touch label, who’d release their only album Speed in 2009. Speed was Quad Throw Salchow’s only album. The next album Olivia would feature on, would be her debut album.

2010 saw Olivia release her debut solo album Baby Let’s Play House, on the Multitronix label. Let’s Play House was a digital only release, but allowed Olivia’s music to reach a wider audience. Following the release of her debut album, Olivia’s next project was a collaboration with Marlon D. This included remastering sessions for Marlon D’s Afrika Vs. NYC. The next step on Olivia De Lanzac’s musical odyssey was recording the followup to Baby Let’s Play House.

Following the collaboration with Marlon D, Olivia decided to concentrate on her solo career. She set about recording her sophomore album Uncut. In total, nine tracks were recorded, where Olivia journeys through genres and influences. Funk, soul, ambient and Latin music all come to the fore during Uncut. One of my favorite tracks on Uncut, was Spanish Monk, which I’ll now tell you about.

After a wash of moody synths, The Spanish Monk bursts into life. Thunderous drums, percussion and bass take you on a journey where influences so diverse as jazz, drum and bass, Latin and ambient music combine. A haunting vocal, floats above the arrangement, as the track reveal its many sides and influences. Later, there’s a Latin sound and feel to the music. The more you listen to the track, the more you hear. Influences and layers of music reveal themselves as Olivia seamlessly fuses influences and genres to create one mesmeric track.

For anyone yet to discover the delights of Olivia De Lanzac’s music, then Spanish Monk is the perfect introduction. It’s a fusion of musical genres and influences, just like the other eight tracks on Uncut, which will be released by BBE Music on 26th November 2012. On Uncut, every musical genre that’s influenced Olivia’s music, is mixed together in a musical melting pot. Each of nine tracks on Uncut, were written, arranged and produced by Olivia De Lanzac. Her musical odyssey has seen her cross two continents and live in three countries. After a journey lasting six years, Olivia De Lanzac has found a label she can call home, BBE Music. The music eclectic selection BBE Music releases, reflects Olivia’s musical tastes, which shine through on Uncut,  including on Spanish Monk, one of Uncut’s highlights.

OLIVIA DE LANZAC-SPANISH MONK.