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Nightmares on Wax - In A Space Outta Sound Unlike their postmodern classic long-players from the 90s, Smokers Delight and Carboot Soul, 2002s Mind Elevation was seen by many as too much of a departure for Nightmares on Wax. For a group that had led the lazy charge for ‘chillout’ (shivers in both senses) before the pigeonhole term had even been coined, it seemed that George Evelyn had wanted to distance himself from what had become a mainstream phenomenon. And who can blame him. Kevin Harper had also moved on, marking another reason for the sound to evolve. Still, all things considered, it didn’t go down too well. So four years later, Evelyn has had chance to rethink and respond. Perhaps he chose to ignore the critics of course, but by any measure, In a Space Outta Sound is a superb return to form.
Before we continue, it's worth mentioning that we got the chance to speak to George about his experiences making this album.
Perhaps it’s because the buzz surrounding chillout has died down somewhat (or perhaps we just stopped paying attention), but the new album just feels like great music. It doesn’t care which lifestyle compilations it’s going to appear on next month. It’s downtempo, it’s stoner, it’s back to mine, it’s another late night, it’s winter chill, but that really doesn’t matter any more. What does matter is this; In a Space Outta Sound is an album that’s all about SOUL. With a capital S, O, U and L. And that’s what makes In a Space Outta Sound good, slash great. It’s rootsy, warm and passionate, even if it’s hazy and deliberate.
Appropriately enough, Passion is the opening track, and musically it says it all. With a bassline that’s more limbo dancing than walking, and a violin line played so gentle as if the bow can’t cut through the smoke, you know that this is going to be on regular rotation. Even if it induces such a relaxed state that you’re unable to put anything else on, you won’t want to anyway.
Ricky Rankin ensures that Flip Ya Lid is a genuine highlight on an already strong album. With the dub bass breathing in and out like a mighty set of bellows, he delivers a pertinent, thoughtful song about the state of things. All undercut with the funny and it’s true line from the title; “What’s to flippin’ do? So many people flippin their lids.” Again, what strikes you is the sincerity and soulful quality, but it’s humble and unassuming in the same moment, so it’s not even remotely preachy. By the end you won’t know if you’re nodding to the beat or the sentiment, but in truth it’ll probably be both.
Evelyn has really nailed his collaborators on this album, because as well as Ricky Rankin’s stellar performance, Chyna B ensures that Damn is another killer app. “Who gives a damn? Who gives a damn about me?” goes the unrequited chorus over a sublime chord pattern and beat. A sweet moment that gets even sweeter when the gospel singers join in. Not too much though; no-one’s belting it out, just enhancing the enlightened mood.
You Wish makes good use of the oft-sampled Motown classic, Private Number, but in the main it is happy to drift on by. Deepdown goes for a tribal style, but in our opinion is perhaps the weakest track. Whilst it sounds great on the first few listens, the repetitive vocal samples start to grate before long. The rest of the album is built for longevity, but this track’s appeal is more short-lived, that’s all.
There are a few moments where the album feels a little Zero 7, but then NoW were defining the genre first, so it’s not meant as a criticism. Indeed, when regular Zero 7 vocalist, Moses, puts in an appearance on the excellent I Am You, it’s a natural and welcome addition to the album. It turns out that Moses and Evelyn have known each other for years, and had always planned to work together, so this shouldn’t be mistaken for bandwagoning. And besides, as already mentioned, here’s hoping that the lazy chillout catch-all bandwagon has long passed on through.
As is the nature of a Nightmares on Wax album, In a Space Outta Sound isn’t exactly something you can get excited about. It’s just not designed to ignite that kind of response. But it will make you warm, fuzzy and happy. Just not necessarily in that order.
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