Two of the most memorable albums from the trip-hop and acid jazz era are by cornettist Graham Haynes (Transition) and trumpeter Ben Neill (Goldbug). Dressing for Pleasure preceeded them both. Usually, an adjective like "suave" doesn't sit easily on an ethnomusicologist whose knack for directness is grounded by his sense of beauty; neither does a label like "acid jazz." But this is Hassell's only album to fit its musical moment, following his appearance on the soundtrack of the crime film Trespass. The feel of a fully committed band is especially amazing – Hassell and drummer Brain work with an army of bassists (six, including Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and enough programmers (three) to field a dot com startup on a coffee break. Hassell's horn flits through a sexy blend of trip-hop's hard drum programs topped with soft, impassive electronic textures like a bird circling over a crowded intersection. Woodwind player Kenny Garrett and guitarist Gregg Arreguin provide thematic voices, too, but melody is rarely enough in this genre.
Robillard, both a good blues guitarist and knowledgeable swing player, displays his rocking side on this '88 date. There are flashier solos, more uptempo cuts, and an aggressive, frenetic quality that's missing on Robillard's jazz-oriented releases. Duke Robillard is an award-winning American blues, roots rock, and jazz guitarist. His warm, silvery, vintage sound and clean playing style evoke the entire history of blues, jump R&B, swing, and proto rock & roll. A globally renowned guitarist, Robillard is a singer, songwriter, bandleader, producer, and a first-call session player. A founding member of Roomful of Blues, he cut the roots-rocking Duke Robillard and the Pleasure Kings in 1983. He replaced Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1989 and remained through 1993.
The Pleasure Principle was the point where the singer became a huge international solo star, even reaching the Top 10 in the United States with 'Cars' and Top 20 with the album. The Pleasure Principle pioneered electronic pop music on a new scale it was a much bigger success worldwide than Kraftwerk's releases or anything from the influential but still relatively 'culty' Bowie/Eno Berlin trilogy. And the fact that it was different and had a major impact in US Numan performed 'Cars' and 'Praying To The Aliens' in front of 40 million people on the Saturday Night Live Show means that there.
Phil Perry has one of the most "spiritual" voices I've heard. The lyrics are so wonderful, true and touching. He has to be one of the top artist of our time.