Released on 04/06/2001
Label: Ultimate Dilemma

Zero 7 are clearly getting a bit pissed off about all this 'chill out/the British Air' business and since it's grossly misrepresentative you can't really blame them.

Although the ghost of Charles Stepney doesn't loom as large over this release as previous offerings, it's clear that there's more soul in these boy's crates than easy listening.

'I Have Seen' proves the point, although it isn't an obvious choice of single from their hook-laden polished soul debut, 'Simple Things'. It's reminiscent of the dodgier Rotary Connection tunes with the bloke singing rather than those guided by the otherworldly vocals of Minnie Ripperton and lacks the ethereal catchiness of much of their material.

But, it's a grower and rewards the patient listener. So, it won't be topping the chart and propelling them to the superstar status of Air then (oops!) but at least that means we won't have to suffer a self-indulgent second album.

    by James Poletti