JAN AKKERMAN & KAZ LUX: ELI

A very unusual record in Jan's repertoire. The start of the record seems to come from a bad dream - haunting and dramatic vocal that partly sings partly speaks. The instruments don't save this inferior track, unfortunately. The vocals appear on almost each track and they are an acquired taste. On tracks such as "Guariad Angel" or "Can't fake a good time", the vocals are unnecessary - they disturb more than they enrich.

"Tranquilizer" is an instrumental refreshment and while it doesn not bring much new, the track at least does not have any vocals.

Disco echoes come to surface on "There he goes". "Strindberg" is perhaps the best sung track with mellow keyboard arrangements and also one of the highlights. The remaining tracks are mainly instrumental but not of a high quality as they feel unfinished.

Overall, this album feels like it has not been written and produced with proper care, so 2 stars only.