ASPO

Name: Review: ASPO, Romance Without Finance
Item: Romance Without Finance
Author: Maxime Nordez

Romance Without Finance

Release date :
04-26-2005

Label :
Belleville International / Patate Records

Tracklist :
1. Skarcastik
2. Last Pow
3. Moon Energy
4. Grim Reaper Calypso
5. Build The World
6. The Right Track
7. One’s Own Life
8. All I Know
9. Nuthouse Shuffle
10. The Bird
11. Living In A Dream
12. One Step
13. Police On My Back

REVIEW

Reactions
(4)

Review written by Maxime Nordez
on Tuesday, June 21st 2005 - 13 483 views

First and foremost a big band centred on the Jamaican music of the 1960s, Aspo is gradually moving away from covers: this album offers only two adaptations (Eddy Grant and Johnny Cash), the rest being written by the group's six members. Compositions with the feel of oldie classics follow one another after a perfect retro-radio intro to launch the first track: Skarcastik. Unlike cousin bands such as Jim Murple, Aspo does not opt for rudimentary recording techniques. The production here is particularly polished. The ska of All I Know is especially enjoyable, dynamic and very well arranged, with a succession of trumpet, baritone sax and trombone choruses. Although focused on the music (no point looking for messages), the band has the good taste not to indulge in technical showing off.

Certain gems stand out, starting with The Bird, a reggae-dub breather in a ska selection. A gifted singer, Perrine Fifadji-Lanse appears on most of the tracks and wrote two of the album's songs. One Step (another original) begins with a beautiful organ and voice introduction before launching into a ska with a developed brass theme; the band truly masters its art. The horn sections vary in timbre, like the very compact section of Nuthouse Shuffle, which contrasts with the airy flute / sax duo on Grim Reaper Calypso. The band's keyboardist handles the vocals on many tracks such as Moon Energy or Living in a dream. It is a pity that his singing is not more incisive, because the lines are lovely. A special mention for The right track which, while recalling a classic, is an original composition. And also a finale in apotheosis around Police on my back (Eddy Grant), covered by The Clash. The tribute to Joe Strummer is plain to hear. Aspo keeps improving, and one dreams of seeing them back Jamaicans as they have done with Alton Ellis. With this parodic "Romance without Finance", the band demonstrates its great knowledge of the Jamaican repertoire of the 60’s. The retro, polished artwork perfectly illustrates the positive and festive spirit of a band in full maturity.

4 Comments

Un tres bon album!
Un tres bon groupe!
Allez voir le clip en stop motion!

Posted by Patatman	Rating :
Sunday, April 01st 2007

les rois des rois, pas mieux en france, et difficilement mieux ailleurs, du grand ASPO, de belles coupes de cheveux, que du bon.

Posted by ChN1	Rating :
Saturday, July 29th 2006

I`m from Brazil, and I don`t speak French. Sorry. But what i would like to say is that I liked this band too much! Great old Jamaican style!

Posted by Pedro - Brasil	Rating :
Tuesday, May 30th 2006

4ème album et encore une fois un sans faute!!! de la balle, les meileurs dans leur style!!!!

Posted by tetard974	Rating :
Friday, February 03rd 2006