An elusive 12" released last year with the title 'Angel Of LA' began creating a little buzz, not because of the ever-so-slightly dated drum 'n' bass of the title track, but on account of a little downtempo gem called, 'The Salon Selection'. It was the first taste of this long-player, 'Our Girl In Havana'.
Fortunately, this second album from Buscemi, aka Dirk Swartenbroekx, forages further into the deep, occasionally almost ambient, warm and jazzy waters of 'The Salon Selection'. Rarely, it must be said, with the same satisfyingly fluid effect. Elsewhere, the influence of London's own drum and bass can be heard in the harder sounds that punctuate the programmed Latin and Brazilian rhythms of most of these tracks. 'La Musica De Ayer Con El Sonido De Hoy' will appeal to fans of Jon B and Rainer Truby's flirtations with Brazilian flavoured d'n'b.
Current single 'Ramiro's Theme' fits right in with the trend for coffee table jazz rhythms but fails to provide the edge that this music needs to stay the right side of easy listening. 'Angel Of LA' combines a refreshingly European take on drum and bass with a somewhat dated, yet nonetheless appealing, simple ambient production.
In all, this is a successful take on the 'nujazz' album but like so many others of its kind, it lacks either the raw formal innocence of fresh and vibrant underground scenes or the challenging and exciting dynamics of electronic music's true pioneers.
