Artist : The Groove

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