If eclectic is your bag, then
Heartbeat might be your thing. Like
Hector Zazou,
Ryuichi Sakamoto employs a realm of many styles on this upbeat collection. Songs performed in Japanese, Russian, French, and English (by friends
Youssou N'Dour,
David Sylvian, and Deee-Lite's DJ Towa Towa and Super DJ Dmitri) top an already brimming album that is everything its predecessor,
Beauty, wasn't. Two completely different versions of the title track add arty spice. "Triste" is a wonderful, lazy-afternoon stroll in Paris jazz; "Lulu" follows suit. Is there no end to this
Sakamoto's talent? He does jazz, rap, and chucks in a couple of solo piano pieces reminiscent of his soundtrack work. "Songlines" came about via his score for
Pedro Almodovar's High Heels. "Boram Gal" and "High Tide" -- with guests
Youssou N'Dour and
Arto Lindsay, respectively -- are both delicate and swathed in summer.
Ingrid Chavez adds poet's fire to frozen dust on "Returning to the Womb" and contributes eerie funk on "Cloud #9."
–
Kelvin Hayes, Rovi