This live recording of The Art of Noise is based in the era following the release of "The Seduction of Claude Debussy". As such, it contains much of the narrative threads that tied that album together, but also attempts to weave other Art of Noise favorites (such as "Moments in Love") into the mix.
It might have been more fun to watch on video, to see what was happening onstage, and perhaps to feel more like one of the crowd watching. Without that, we have a concept album that's been chopped up, interspersed with crowd noise, and had a couple of "Greatest Hits" inserted here and there…
Art Of Noise pioneered the technique of sampling sounds and blending them into a melodic collage that defied simple classification. Variously described as hip hop, avante-garde, techno-pop, electro-jazz, drum and bass, and all points in between, the band influenced and inspired generations of musicians and left a lasting legacy. This 2CD set celebrates the diversity of their work on the iconic 1980s label, ZTT. Much-loved tracks such as Close (to the Edit), Beat Box and Moments in Love are featured that together serve to illustrate exactly why the Art of Noise richly deserve their reputation as one of popular music’s most influential bands.
This collection compiles music and films by Art of Noise from the period 1995 to 2000, and is mostly comprised of previously unreleased material, including the album 'balance - music for the eye' and the Producer's Cut of 'The Seduction of Claude Debussy' on CD, and two unreleased complete concerts on the DVD, filmed in London at Coexistence studio and Shepherds Bush Empire in 2000.
The Seduction of Claude Debussy is a 1999 concept album by Art of Noise, featuring a line-up of Trevor Horn, Anne Dudley, Paul Morley, and Lol Creme. Also appearing on the album are John Hurt, soprano Sally Bradshaw, Rakim, and Donna Lewis. The group blended the music of French impressionist composer Claude Debussy with drum and bass, opera, hip hop, jazz, and narration, and described the album as "the soundtrack to a film that wasn't made about the life of Claude Debussy.