SUNSET CLIFFS

Recorded in 1999 by US multi-instrumentist Chris Fournier, this album is NOT among the most memorable under the Fonya monniker. Both "Wanderers of the Neverending Night" (92) or "Soul Travels" (93) could be named as far better. And there is a logical explanation for this. When Fournier doesn't sing, the music doesn't get harmed! His vocal intonation is so bad that it destroys all the good things that may float around! Fournier can deliver nice keyboard textures or spirited soloing, both on keyboards and guitar but all fall apart as soon as singing takes place and this is a shame! Releasing an album alone is already a difficult task because most of the time, the organic quality of interplay is missing; if now - like on Sunset Cliffs - one of the remaining and strongly organic parts, the voice, reveals itself to be weak, then the risk of fiasco is not very far away! Another often criticized aspect of records made by multi-instrumentists is their use of drum machines. And here Fournier wins some points; his use of the Roland R8 is tasty and if you want to have a model example of how good this machine (imo one of the best that came on the market AND stayed for years as a reference) can sound, then don't look further, Sunset Cliffs is the one! Among the strongest aspects of Sunset Cliffs is its atmospheres and their sound but unfortunately, there is a lack of continuity throughout and some tunes shine clearly while other struggle with light. All in all, I can't really argument for more than 2 stars and shoot one down if you take the vocal prestation into account!