An album a day #3: NINO AND RADIAH

[oleandermedian]

Sept 28, 2021 7:10:32 GMT @madcyril1 said:

Crucial to the sound of this album is the Lafayette Afro Rock Band, relocated in France from The States, they bring a real tight funkiness to the album. I think this is best illustrated by third track 'Vomitation' with its full beats and driving Hammond. But the album's funkiness is often a singularly Euro one - languorous, sensual, louche. Even when it works up a sweat it does so elegantly. There's also a real melancholy to the album with the resigned ' Hot Toddy' and the drifting 'Looking For You' ( the track that first lead me to this album) that gives the album a powerful heart.

I bought this album a few years ago on the strength of Looking for You, after you picked it in the cup. After a few listens it becomes evident that his backing band are exceptional so I checked the liner notes and they’re credited as Ice – I think that was a name they adopted specially for this album – but the individual players are credited too and the giveaway is Lafayette Hudson on bass. I’d been listening to the very same Lafayettes around this time so this was an extra bonus. I remember we had a PM exchange about it at the time. Looking for You is still my favourite track. So atmospheric! There isn’t a less-than-good song on the whole album though.

On my CD Nina and Radiah is followed by another album, Suite en Oeuf. It has its moments but it's noticeably less interesting.

Excellent write-up!