Tosca J.A.C. CD - Import

Additional personnel: Earl Zinger, Farda P, Samia Farah, Valerie Etienne, Diana Lueger, Chris Eckman, Stefan Graf Hadik Wildner (vocals); Graf Hadik, MC Farda P.
Tosca is the recording name for electronica duo Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber. Fans of Kruder & Dorfmeister (Richard Dorfmeister's better known main project) will already be familiar with Tosca's down-tempo, groove-oriented vibe, and J.A.C., the duo's fourth release, delivers more of the same, with impressive attention to creating lush, relaxing cushions of sound. Live instrumentation fleshes out the programming here, and Dorfmeister and Huber's artful work at the boards keeps the synthesis smooth and sophisticated, with enough contemporary production flourishes to keep things varied and high-minded.
The retro lounge feel of "Heidi Bruhl," for example, is offset by the smoothly rolling groove of "John Lee Huber," and whereas most of J.A.C. spins out jazzy, laid-back atmospheres, there are a few scattered moments, like the electro-funk of "Damentag," where the energy receives a welcome boost. A host of guest vocalists lend their talents to the outing, making J.A.C. a fun, fine stereo selection for mellow, elegant socializing or a solo headphone experience.Uncut (p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "J.A.C. reuses their template of stoned beats and restrained melodicism, but Tosca is now also a band proper as well a studio concern and the change shows."