Record Review - 2 July 08 2000

Since 1997, across a series of ten 12” singles, Swayzak has evolved from their simple tech-house beginnings, and the duo’s previous album Snowboarding in Argentina (named after their dream vacation once they hit it big) was awarded 1998 album of the year by Mixer magazine. Now the London James Taylor and David Brown return with their second full-length, Himawari.

Swayzak make house music minimalistic enough to end up in a Plastikman mix, but full enough to satisfy fans of Thievery Corporation or other dubby, down-tempo groups. It’s music perfect for an after-hours party — the accompaniment for the red-light ambiance of the red-eye set. The set of glacial chill-out tunes on Himawari include elements of reggae (“Illegal”), vocal house that sounds like the Eurythmics produced by Giorgio Moroder (“State of Grace”) and a take on Kraftwerk crossed with a minimalistic 2 Live Crew that’s bound to quench those missing electro-lites (“Mysterons”). Swayzak make cocktail music without warranting a cheesy “lounge” label.

Swayzak perform at Nomenclature Museum on Thurs., July 6.??