The first solo release by
Isabella Antena but essentially a continuation of her work from the days of the
Antena trio (then duo),
En Cavalle, produced excellently by
Martin Hayles and a crack studio band under his direction, is an immediate, enjoyable release. That
Antena didn't make a bigger splash at the time (especially after
Sade had popularized
bossa nova grooves as modern
pop) is downright remarkable -- she's in excellent voice throughout and her backing players, including earlier bandmate
Sylvain Fasy on guitar, both perform and are recorded brilliantly. But such are the vagaries of the market, though at least those who listen in now will be well rewarded. Starting with the sassy-yet-cool kick of
"Play Back," a great showcase for flautist
Philip Todd,
En Cavalle is also a showcase for
Antena's songwriting ability, with six out of nine songs written solely by her. Her singing is confident, sly and straightforward throughout -- there's no being lost in the mix here, more a perfect sympathy with the musicians, from the rollicking punch of
"How Can They Tell" to the more modern shock of
"Life Is Too Short," an almost
industrial-
pop brawler at the start.
"Seaside Weekend" in particular is a winner, the busy tropical beats set against soft, reflective piano work, then topped off by
Antena's sweet singing and gentle
scat work. There's also an inspired cover of the
Sister Sledge's
"Easy Street," interpolating hints of
Antena's other musical obsessions into the steady
disco punch of the original to create a winning tribute. As with
LTM's work in general, part of the appeal of the re-released album from 2005, retitled
En Cavalle Bis, lies in the bonus tracks -- seven surface here, including earlier versions of
"Be Pop" and
"Life Is Too Short." ~ Ned Raggett
