LOVAGEMusic To Make Love To Your Old Lady By Record label: 75 Ark Format: 2xLP/CD Release date: 30 October 2001 I think it's safe to say that Dan Nakemura's discography speaks for itself. The Automator's been behind the scenes on many successful projects, including Dr. Octagon, Deltron 3030, Handsome Boy Modeling School, and Gorillaz. Resurrecting Nathaniel Merriweather (his Handsome Boy persona), Dan presents Lovage, the perfect accompaniment to the left-of-center hip-hop of So…How's Your Girl? If HBMS is the main event, Lovage is the after-party, a lounge affair complete with smoke, mirrors, martinis and tailor-made suits. Oh yeah, and just a hint of sleaze. "Lifeboat" sounds like a naughtier version of Portishead, with Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) and Jennifer Charles (Elysian Fields) trading verses. Ms. Charles's vocal renderings draw parallels with those of Moloko's Roisin Murphy (used to great effect on "The Truth" from the Handsome Boy project). This is by no means a bad thing. Choice cuts include "To Catch A Thief," "Book Of The Month," and their exquisite cover of Berlin's "Sex (I'm A)." Like Dan's other projects, Lovage is an acquired taste, but unquestionably fun and well produced. Listen for VIP cameos from Kid Koala, Damon Albarn, Afrika Bambaataa, Maseo of De La Soul, and Prince Paul as that other Handsome Boy…Chest Rockwell. {downtempo don}
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