Review: "Visions" by Jakatta (CD, 2002)

Today’s Pop Rescue from an uncertain future is the 2002 album Visions by British act Jakatta (a pseudonym of Dave Lee). Is this album like a beautiful Dream, or is it a Vision worth avoiding? Read on…

Jakatta's 2002 album 'Visions' — Jakatta – Visions (2002) album.

This 13 track mixed CD opens with the teasing American Dream (Intro), which gently slides into your ears with glimmers of that delicate sequence composed by Thomas Newman that is prevalent throughout the big hit from later in the album.

Then it’s It Will Be, which is a wonderfully wafting track that utilises (or at least mimicks) the speaking clock, who is seemingly desperate what the time will be in a moment. Perhaps we don’t care, as the layers of synths and guitars gurgle and drift in and out. A piano joins in alongside a beat that helps us to keep some semblance of time, but to be honest this is a wonderful drift of sound that we don’t really want to watch the clock.

That’s flows into My Vision featuring Seal, again with the signature piano notes from American Dream, but then a beat drops in with Swati Natekar‘s vocals giving way to Seal’s. The tempo increases and Seal’s vocals give a wonderful soulful contrast to the dance beats. The synths keep a soft distance as the layers swirl over each other. This is a great track, and it gave Jakatta and Seal a #6 hit in the UK.

So Lonely follows that, and was the album’s second single. The track relies heavily on Ever So Lonely, the 1982 track by Monsoon, which loans the track the sitar, and some vocals. It’s a nice chilled out mid-tempo sound, acting as a nice contrast to the burst of energy in the preceding track. The track ends on an unanswered phone ringing whilst someone lights a cigarette. The track gave Jakatta a #8 UK hit.

Next up is Feeling Blue (as per outer artwork, or ‘Feelin’ Blue’ as per booklet), and here we’re met with a simple piano sequence over a wash of synths and soft beats whilst seductively delivered French vocals lure us in. The track incorporates the piano sequence from C’est Le Vent Betty by Gabriel Yared. This combination results in a somewhat downbeat sound, which seems fitting after So Lonely.

I Don’t Know is next, and this picks up the tempo considerably. Here we find rapper Ty on the lyrics and vocal credits. He’s flanked by record scratches, a constantly simmering set of what sounds like a string section desperate to flourish, and an almost continuation of delicate pianos that dance around him. The track sounds really nice in all its contrasts.

Then we’re on to lead single American Dream, which I remember caught my attention at its point of release. This track borrows from Thomas Newman’s theme used in the 1999 film American Beauty, as well as samples from Two Of Hearts by Stacey Q. The track peaked at #3 in the UK chart.

One Fin e Day follows that, and we’re treated to another lovely contrast, this time it’s the beautiful vocals of Beth Hirsch, as she sings softly on top of synth strings, acoustic guitars, and piano. This track sounds very different to the preceding tracks, as you could imagine this one being performed with a full fleet of instruments, and to easily sing along to it. It’s a lovely melodic sound.

Then, we’re seemingly shot into space for next track, and perhaps aptly titled, Ride The Storm. Here we find the welcoming tones of disco legend and actress, Linda Clifford on vocals, and with a co-writer credit. Here, she cuts across the thumping dance beats and swirling synth pads, and tells us how she’s feeling in a loved up monologue. It works well, although i’d have liked to have heard her sing too.

Then it’s The Other World, as strings swell like a tide as a bass drops in, sounding almost like a missing Kinobe or Groove Armada track. The result is a beautifully chilled track that feels like we’re heading home after being given that message by Linda Clifford in the previous track.

Beth Hirsch returns for Home Away From You, and here we find her singing a plodding downbeat track set against guitars and strings. At times Beth’s vocals blend a little with the instruments, but her deeper vocals here work well to bring the sadness of being Home Away From You perfectly.

Following that is Strung Out, which is sort of a mega mix, but without the mega that you’d perhaps associate with the likes of 2 Unlimited, Vengaboys, or Jive Bunny. Instead, we’re treated to a careful blend of tracks where American Dream echoes throughout alongside My Vision, It Will Be, Ride The Storm, and a few others. At 10mins and 17s, it’s a long meandering mix but it flows effortlessly.

The album closes with My Vision (Summer In White Edit) again featuring Seal. This time this edit gives us some more defined guitars, a different beat, and Seal’s vocals are less affected and allows us to enjoy his clearer vocals. Like the Beth Hirsch tracks, you could easily imagine Seal performing this version in its more acoustic sound amongst a set list of his other tracks.

Jakatta’s lead single ‘American Dream’ (2001).

VERDICT

Over all, this album is a rich blend of disco funk brewed chilled-out-ness, like a post-party or hangover morning relaxing blend of songs.

Dave Lee (aka Jakatta) sets out a wonderful set of tracks that flow effortlessly here and without jarring the ride. The inclusion of vocalists Seal, Beth Hirsch, Ty, and Linda Clifford works a real treat alongside the carefully chosen samples.

Of course, the American Dream track and its piano line instantly gives us a huge highlight, and its regular nod from other tracks helps to transfer some of this admiration across the album. American Dream doesn’t stand alone here though, with My Vision, One Fine Day, and The Other World all sounding wonderful. There’s little here to pick holes in, but Feelin’ Blue does feel like it just about strikes in at the ‘it’s okay’ level.

This edition of the album was seamlessly blended together, and that works perfectly for such a (mostly) chilled out album – allowing it to flow on a journey through, ending with the ‘mega mix’ and alternate version with Seal. It’s definitely an album worth hearing.