Karma are lovers of jazz music with an earthy, soulful, folky sound to it. They’re also audiophiles, who take their recording production as seriously as their creative, and it's all very evident on Latenight Daydreaming, Karma's first full-length studio album in seven years. Following many years of changes for the duo of Lars Dorsch and Tom Dams, which included discoveries of new recording techniques, the addition of new family members, and more, they have evolved their originally sample-based approach, into that of an organic, classic studio arrangement.

1. All You Ever Wanted (feat. Jerome Stokes)
2. Are We? (feat. Michelle Amador)
3. Carte Blanche
4. Fly (feat. Oezlem Çetin)
5. Home (feat. Michelle Amador)
6. Beach Towel
7. Father, Father (feat. Oezlem Çetin)
8. Shoreline Drive
9. Sleeping Beauty
10. The Way You Are (feat. Oezlem Çetin)
11. Requiem/All & Everything In Between

The most persistent influence on the songs of Latenight Daydreaming comes from folk, and it's not surprising as "folktronica" continues to gain momentum. Karma's sound however isn't strictly "folktronic", as it incorporates equal measures of jazz and soul. For songs in this class of genre, "Are We?" featuring the rich, warm voice of Michelle Amador is an excellent example and it's tempting to call it the best song on the album. It's solidly written and perfectly incorporates sweeping string arrangements with strumming guitar, slowly blown horns, and a waltz-like rhythm. The whole thing brings together some truly moving harmonies.

"Fly" features vocals by Oezlem Cetin and delivers a much more hooky folk sound with an epic chorus. Michelle Amador returns on "Home", which is a vibe and melancholy guitar led piece with nicely laid-back percussion. Her melodies in this one make you feel you've heard them before, but in a good way. The sound is given over to melodic pop styling, but doesn't lay it on heavy enough to affect the song. Oezlem sings on two more songs here; the powerful and soulful "Father, Father" and "The Way You Are", a soft and somber piano led song that perfectly fits the tone of her voice. The opening track "All You Ever Wanted" features the soul-folk style of Jerome Stokes and would fit seamlessly into one of Jazzanova's sets.

Besides the vocal songs there are a handful of instrumental tracks as well, with "Carte Blanche" and the very classical inspired "Sleeping Beauty" being the strongest.

Karma's Latenight Daydreaming is sure to be a treasured discovery for fans of Jazzanova and The Dining Rooms.

Add a Comment