PAOLO CONTE
Razmataz (East West)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Conte's always been a mystery man of music, alternating sumptuous cabaret pieces of aural delight with cheesy throwaway pop fluff. Delivering his records in many languages (Italian, French, English) makes for international adoration, though has no doubt hurt sales in these here parts. Razmataz will do little to change all that. Not only do tongues change with each tune, so do the voices as Conte seems content to orchestrate the proceedings, lending his charismatic croon to about a third of the tunes. Though short on info, this appears to be a conceptual piece, perhaps a play, which accounts for the mood swings, vocalist interplay and bevy of players involved.

© 2001 - John Sekerka