At first glance you'll think it's a compilation. In fact, even at first listen you may not realize it, but Spa Sessions: Lounging is actually a full-length album from the highly regarded German act Lemongrass. When you look closer you may think, ahh, this is like a movie score or something. You know, an album that's built in parts to match certain scenes, but guided by a single composer. That perspective is probably closest to the truth, but the whole truth is, this is simply a Lemongrass album...and it's really nice.

1. Beach Ball
2. Natsu-No Hi (A Summer Day)
3. La Mer
4. Sunrise On Fujijama
5. Rising Star
6. Akari
7. Desert Sand
8. Imagine
9. Wei Fung Chi
10. Blue Marble
11. Je Sais
12. Falling Star
13. Daybreak
14. Ajisai (Hydrangea)
15. Cho-Cho
16. Farewell

While much of Lemongrass' recent work has come out on Germany's Mole Listening Pearls imprint, this one has been released on US label Water Music, which may be part of the reason my own first impression was that this is a compilation. Compilations are what Water Music have built their foundation on.

There are actually two other editions in the Water Music's "Spa Sessions" sets ("Healing" and "Relaxing"). Though "Healing" bears no composer/artist credit, "Relaxing" is a collection of light classical songs. Suffice to say this is either a concept born to be eclectic, or one that's finding it's proper sound. Either way its interesting, for good or bad, to see how it blurs the line between compilation series title, and artist album title.

The music of Spa Sessions: Lounging is tightly cohesive but also quite varied and does little to alleviate the compilation-esque aura. The song titles themselves are in a multitude of languages. Some songs have vocal guests while many are instrumental. Some tracks sound like they could come from the Upstairs Records crew, others from the French downtempo scene, while others have a South or Eastern Asian edge to them and others still a sort of smooth dub-in-lounge sound.

The beats are always laid-back hip hop rooted arrangements. The music washes over your ears in soft synth pads, sweet melodies and harmonies, and lightly touched keys. It is for all purposes, the perfect soundtrack (if you're lucky enough to have this replace those non-descript, spa-synonymous new age drones) for your next session at the spa, or the precise complement to a cold, minty Mojito and a day or night full of good times.

If its full-tilt lounging relaxation you're looking for, here it is. Purely pleasurable tones from start to finish.

Add a Comment