Vikter Duplaix produces a strong brand of modern soul that crosses the classic moods of soul and R&B with more modern aspects of broken beat and other similar styles of electronic music. The music, made of clean sounds, subtle beats and soft melodies revolves around Vikter's lyrical content, that is focused almost exclusively on topics from sex, romance, love of life, the loss of love and finding true and deep happiness with another.

1. Stimulation (feat. Ms. Saigon)
2. Make A Baby
3. The Way That I Feel
4. I See The Sun (feat. Tye Tibbett & GA)
5. A Life Worth Living
6. Another Great Love Gone By (feat. Esthero)
7. Fade It
8. For Life
9. In The Middle of You
10. Nothing Like Your Touch
11. Pure
12. Temple of Thoughts

"Stimulation", a track also released as a single, is the first on the album and features a duet with the French speaking Ms. Saigon. The beats in this one are a little stronger than many others and the mood is definitely influenced by the lighter side of hip-hop. Combining Vikter's breathy vocal style with Saigon's spoken French really mixes nicely with the music, making it clear to hear why it made a single release.

At times you'll feel an influence from Mark de Clive-Lowe, but Duplaix's music comes through a lot softer and never explores the depths of broken beat in the way that MdCL does. You'll hear what I'm talking about in "The Way That I Feel". Vikter teams up with Tye Tribbett & GA on "I See The Sun" and its combination of bass keys and strong beats really takes the sound pretty close to broken beat, but the beats are never broken.

On "Another Great Love Gone By" Duplaix's goes duet with Esthero. She's done a number of cameo's on songs throughout the hip-hop and soul world and you can't blame any producer for tapping the tone of her voice. She fits in perfectly with Vikter Duplaix here and the duet creates a really strong effect along with the music.

Despite being rooted in aspects of electronic club music, Bold & Beautiful is sure to rock more bedrooms than dance floors. It's the club roots that keep the sound really fresh for its genre. If you've got a mind for really well done soul music that exists somewhere near the border of broken beat, Duplaix's Bold & Beautiful is well worth checking out.

Add a Comment