Forget the rampant labeling of Zero 7 as the “BritishAir,” because Simple Things is a debut album that stands on its own as a chilled, subtle collection of organic songs. There are hints ofAir, but there are equally relevant comparisons that might be made withMorcheeba,Rae & Christian,Nightmares on Wax, and earlyMassive Attack.Simple Things might just be a gentle Cinderella, a kind stepsister toMassive Attack’s dark masterpiece,Mezzanine. It’s rare that a post-trip-hop album is so interesting and engrossing, but the duo ofHenry BinnsandSam Hardakermix a number of musical elements, such as soul-influenced diva vocals, gurgling and ringing keyboards, and classical string arrangements, into a relaxing, potent wave of sounds. Though the album starts to meander in its closing tracks, the first 50 minutes are cohesive, vibrant, and calming. Highlights are too numerous to call out, as the duo switches from instrumentals to songs featuring passionate, energized vocals fromMozez,Sia Furler, andSophie Barker. All three vocalists mingle as perfect matches to the smart arrangements. Twinkling keyboards, barely-there basslines, and acoustic guitars create rolling melodies that never interfere with the task at hand, that of chiseling textured aural atmospheres. Simple Things is an accomplished slice of soulful genius that rewards frequent spins.

Simple Things peaked at no.28 in the UK album chart and spent 89 weeks on the chart. Stateside, the album hit no.4 on the Billboard Dance / Electronic album chart and stayed on that chart for 52 weeks. Singles taken from the original album included “I Have Seen” featuring Mozez, “Destiny” featuring Sia & Sophie Barker, “In The Waiting Line” featuring Sophie Barker and “Distractions” featuring Sia. The vinyl LP has been discontinued and second-hand copies of the original pressing are changing hands on Ebay and Discogs forupwards of 100! AllMusic

This vinyl only Simple Things re-issue will mirror the original release, cut over 4 sides and using the original artwork butnow pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl.

Label:New State Music
Format:2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 180gr
Reissued: 2018 / Original Release: 2001
Genre:Electronic
Style:Downtempo

File under: Downtempo