Artist : The Groove Album : Hati-Hati

Bandung-based The Groove tones down the beat on its third album, resulting in a record filled with smooth jazz tunes rather than the acid jazz of its previous works.

The band brought in a pack of collaborators, mostly jazz musicians, such as jazz wizard Indra Lesmana, who did the mixing and mastering, Idham Noorsaid, who led the brass section highlighting most of the tracks, and drummer Aksan Syuman, who played the additional second drums on the title track.

It is a back-to-basics kind of album, with a more simple sound arrangement with a laid-back mode.

The upbeat mode can still be found on the first single Hanya Karena Cinta (Just Because of Love), Bernyanyilah (Sing) and Freedom to Share.

The rest sounds like tracks from a GRP-released record, except for the mellow pop Menanti Bintang (Waiting for The Star).

The lyrics are forgettable, and you will miss feel-good songs with catchy choruses such as Satu Mimpiku (My One Dream) or Khayalan (Imagination). To give it its due, it's a good and enjoyable album nonetheless.

-- Hera Diani