Michael Gray - Optimism

Mousse T, Dr Packer, Eric Kupper, Mark Knight, CJ Mackintosh, Lenny Fontana, Ricky Morrison, Laurent Garnierらもサポートする強力アルバム！

ディスコ・ハウス界の重鎮Michael Grayが渾身のエネルギーを注ぎ込んだアルバム『Optimism』が登場。30年以上のキャリアで培ったサウンドメイキングの全てを結集させた本作は、時代を超えて響くディープなグルーヴと希望のメッセージを融合させた傑作だ。

「週末を煌めかせた男」が1年半の歳月をかけて完成させたこの作品は、生楽器の温もりを基盤にした圧倒的な音楽性が特徴。JamiroquaiのDerrick McKenzieによるライヴ・ドラム、IncognitoのRuss Tarleyが叩き出すパーカッション、Soul II Soulのヒットを支えたStephen Husseyのストリングス・アレンジ──錚々たるミュージシャンたちの呼吸が一体化したサウンドは、デジタル時代に失われつつあったアナログの熱を現代に蘇らせる。

「現代に必要なポジティブなエネルギーを音にした」というGrayの言葉通り、クラシック・ディスコとモダン・ソウルが化学反応を起こす全編を通した疾走感は、聴く者の心を軽やかに解放する。キラキラとしたブラスセクションと深くうねるベースラインが織りなす音のタペストリーは、ダンスフロアを熱狂の渦に巻き込みながらも、聴き込むほどに新たなディテールが浮かび上がる多重構造だ。

A1. Ivy

A2. Fly Away

A3. You Got To Remember

B1. Season High

B2. Butterfly

B3. Save Me

C1. Invincible

C2. Where Do We Go From Here

C3. All I Want Is You

D1. Good Times

D2. Virtual Cool

D3. Don't Want Anybody

D4. Never Let You Down

 

DJ Support: Mark Knight, CJ Mackintosh, Mousse T, Dr Packer, Eric Kupper, Lenny Fontana, Ricky Morrison, Laurent Garnier & many more.

Michael Gray’s star has been firmly in the ascendant in recent years, with a string of chart-topping, floor-filling productions and remixes under his belt. The excitement is therefore palpable for his soon come album Optimism, which sees Michael pour both his heart and his three decades + of experience into what will be one of THE albums of the year.

'This album has been a year and a half in the making,' states the ‘Weekend’ hitmaker and one half of legendary disco house pioneers Full Intention, clearly now keen to release his career-defining magnum opus out into the world.

In these confused and often frightening times, we need musical communion more than ever. Only too aware of this, Michael has 'set out to make an album full of positivity.' Needless to say, the resulting 'hybrid of classic disco mixed with modern disco and soul' hits the spot and looks set to provide a soulful summer soundtrack to lift spirits and fill dancefloors.

In an era of often generic, over-computerised sounds, Michael returns to the source of his lifelong musical inspirations. 'Most of these productions have involved working with live strings and horns,' he enthuses. The musicians include live drums by Derrick Mckenzie from Jamiroquai, percussion by Russ Tarley from Incognito and string arranger Stephen Hussey, known for his work on Soul II Soul’s early hits.

Michael’s much-needed musical missives for the ages are masterful manna from the heavens. Things just got optimistic.