Earliest registered contact with “Don’t Look Now” dates back to november 2003, when I heard WOW’s DJ set on Annie Nightingale’s show (BBC Radio ONE). It was back then when first echoes of instrumental version of “Anything But You” struck. The tables have turned a bit since that time – the band welcomed a fresh female member, vocalist Omi. “Anything But You” is no longer instrumental, same with the album.
Way Out West AD 2004 is an 11 years-of-experience old musical monster, which has grown way beyond its times in the process of unforced, natural evolution. The new album is not a dull continuation of the last two studio releases nor a stylish plagiarism – it creates a strong impression of drifting against that kind of stream and into less explored areas of soothing trip-hop and ballads. The dance spirit is cultivated solicitously and brought up into spotlight in many cases, such as the breakbeat tracks “Melt” and “Anything But You” or deep, prog house-sounding “Killa”. “Don’t look Now” reminds a cash & carry supermarket – there is a little bit of everything in a condensed, hermetic form. Diversity achieved (in a way) with the help of cheerful and sometimes disquieting voice of Omi, and the cross-section of styles captivate with retained harmony.
No matter what is written about this magnum opus – Mr. Warren and Wisternoff deserve a big bow of respect. Impressive record targeted to a wider audience, provided that it has a decent musical sensitivity. It’s also - IMO - the finest imprint out of Distinct’ive Records.
Way Out West works in a similar manner to coca leaves when catalyzed by pinches of legia. It makes you want to alternately meditate and gyrate with the wave of emerging sounds. And this fact proves evidently the prodigy of this release.
The reviewed piece has an additional CD2, which holds an hour-lasting, brand new WOW’s DJ set. It’s kept in a chill-out mood, similar to the sounds contained on CD1. Apart from songs written by other performers and mixed by the duo, there is another unpublished song written by Jody, Nick & Omi – “Puls of Life”.
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~VH (November 10th, 2004):
Muthafunka wasn't that spectacular. Northern Lights, Apollo, Killa, Just Like a Man and Coming Home all have some rather magical moments.
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