Ninja Tune.
Reviewer – Rowan Blair Colver.
This review was originally published in Now Then Magazine Issue 67
A long way from Fink’s funky roots, a symphonic orchestra summons images of stiff necks and seated audiences. Then again, other bands have managed to merge their sounds with classical sensibilities quite successfully. Fink brings his acoustic guitar along with songs from his latest album to Amsterdam, merging with the technical brilliance of the Concertgebouw Royal Orchestra.
Fink, or Fin Greenall , has collaborated before, most notably with Amy Winehouse and Basement Jaxx, proving he is a singer of quality and reputation. His voice carries the music like the pouring of liquor over ice. People want this, to work with and to listen to.
This is an album to listen to when it’s raining, or when you are reading. It’s chilled out, apart from every now and then when you’re broken from the spell of studio quality sound by the sound of rapturous applause. It opens with the memorable title track from his recent album, Berlin Sunrise. His firm voice sweeps in from what seems like strange rumbling, swelling with the symphonic orchestra.
For periods the man himself stands back and lets the orchestra play. They produce an array of musical spells that wash, sprinkle and crash. Then it is Fink’s turn to solo and the orchestra hushes down. Undoubtedly under a spotlight, he gives solid renditions of ‘Wheels’ and ‘This Is The Thing’.
This is where you realise it is funky. He hits his chords in that way that makes you move, the drums subtly begin to assist, and before you know it there’s some bass. It’s very clever – tapping your foot to an orchestra in the living room. The array of classical musicians again takes us into a soundtrack style number, which for me takes away the mood. At this point I wanted more singing. I do get a couple more songs before the end of the album.
Overall, given the choice to own this album, I’d choose yes.
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