Minus 8's Slow Motion opens exactly like that. In slow motion, literally. Well, ok maybe just figuratively, but still. That opener is a laid back, instrumental jazz number called "Slow Motion" that goes a long way toward setting your mood for the rest of the album, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

1. Slow Motion
2. Winter Tales (feat. Virag)
3. Let It Go (feat. Virag)
4. Soverato '09
5. Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime (feat. Virag)
6. Last Nite
7. Give It Back (feat. Virag)
8. Enigma of a Summer Afternoon
9. We're Waiting (feat. Virag)
10. Close Your Eyes (feat. Virag)
11. Juy (feat. Rachel Montana)
12. Wonderland (feat. Miriam S.)
13. Hustler (feat. Jabere)
14. Make Your Day (feat. Miriam S.)
15. Gymnopédie No. 1

You'll hear a lot more of the story from "Winter Tales", featuring the sweet vocals of Virag, who sings on nearly half of this album's songs. No matter who sings the lyrics, or if it's instrumental, in each story on Slow Motion, you'll hear the undeniable groove of a jazz musician and the ubiquitous influence of house music.

Robert Jan Meyer is the man behind Minus 8, and he's produced six albums to date, including this one. Along with being a producer, Robert is a DJ. The depth to which being a DJ takes you into your chosen world of music is unique. As a listener, you know what you like. As a journalist, you know what you write about and develop an academic familiarity with the material, forgetting as much as you learn. As a DJ however, your knowledge is gained in a different way, and you need to retain it all. Not only that, you need to how it all relates to every other song you know. DJ's are like the experts in a field who have learned everything on the job. They form their own method of learning and retaining knowledge, which allows them to easily improvise. And of course, improvisation is the hallmark of jazz music. I can't help but think, this is what makes Minus 8's music sound so good.

From slow jazz jams to light, house cuts, and even some triphop influenced bits, there is a broad range of styles and influences here, including hip hop, disco, and soul, but best of all, through all of it, Slow Motion does not disappoint. This album is certainly a downtempo gem.

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