Centovalley's "August" is as close to perfect as you can get, whatever genre you call it – somewhere around lounge and downtempo, with beautiful melodies and just the right amount of beats. What lifts "August" far above the pack is its texture and the fact that the music is smooth without ever becoming bland.

1. Yonisation
2. Major Lake
3. Bitniks
4. Mystify
5. Visions Of Voodoo
6. Up There
7. Freak Rodeo
8. Bossa Texas
9. Lazy Time
10. Panamericana
11. Topless In California
12. Jane & I
13. Vertigo On The Couch

Oh-so-lush keyboards are heard often on this CD. They lead off on "Yonisation", with a bit of female vocal and sitar samples, continuing through "Major Lake". Olmo Antezana's sax picks things up on the jazzy "Bitniks". Brett Davison sings and contributes to the production on "Mystify". He's not a great vocalist, but his relaxed style fits into the mid-tempo groove.

"Visions of Voodoo" has a feel of a suspense movie soundtrack, with beats added on. Patrick Soergel takes vocals and helps with the production on "Up There" and "Lazy Time", again working in with modest singing.

"Freak Rodeo" is cheerily upbeat with ringing tones, some bluegrass strings, and the occasional neighing of a horse. "Bossa Texas" and "Panamericana" are relaxing with Latin rhythms, although I'm not sure where the Texas comes in on the former.

Marco Nevano on sax alternates with vibes and flutes and the ever present keyboards on "Topless in California". "Jane & I" is wonderful exotica.

Through all of the different flavors of music it explores, "August" is the aural equivalent of sinking yourself into a soft, relaxing pillow. This CD seems to have slipped under the radar of recent releases, but it is one of the best of the last few years.

~ Dave Howell

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