Breaks Co-Op - The Sound Inside

Zane Lowe – The Radio 1 and MTV 'rock bitch' has a band: Breaks Co-Op. Formed back in't day, when Zane and Hamish Clark lived in Auckland, their debut 'Roofers' was a well received electronica record. This, their second album comes a fair few years hence, and could not be more different. Drawing on a variety of influences, from Marvin Gaye to Crosby, Stills and Nash - and with new vocalist Andy Lovegrove, this is a far more melodic and relaxing venture. They perform soulful efforts like The Otherside (which was the No.1 NZ airplay hit last year) and Lay Me Down, to acousto-beats in Wonder, right through to highlight A Question of Freedom; an interesting but simple bass line working with basic percussion to super cool effect. The downside here is that the relaxing effect can turn to boredom far too often. Nevertheless, this is well put together, and worth a peek at. [Josh Wilson]