“Soul” might have been my first encounter with London’s memorably named Near Death Experience but even by the time their new song, “Trance” lifts majestically into its first, short and sweet chorus, things feel as comfortable as if I’m catching up with an old friend. You have to be making some magical music to connect with your audience that immediately, that effortlessly, that naturally, especially for someone like me, a jaded juggler of words who is bombarded with all manner of music on an hourly basis. But magical is the right word.
“Trance” echoes with all manner of old-school vibes, a touch of Let’s Dance era Bowie, a smattering of Roxy Music’s sophisticated eclecticism, and even touches of soul sonics, psychedelic adventurousness, and ska vibes, too. But as much as they nod to pop’s past, NDX, as their friends call them, and I would like to consider myself one of those, it is both the here-and-now and also where the future sonic path might take them that is their main focus. Familiar sounds made into fresh songs.
But past, present, or future, the song is built on one timeless quality: groove, and one helluva groove at that. As the beats drive and the acoustic guitar builds a platform, the staccato saxophone salvos, the jazzy licks, the propulsive bass lines, and even the vocal patterns all work together to push and power that groove to the max before the saxophone takes center stage and drives the song seductively over the finish line.
Dance music has a particular meaning in the world of music journalism and genre, but this is dance music of the highest order. Here’s a test for you: Get to one of NDX’s gigs, and I bet that by about three or four songs in, you are dancing like a loon, unabashed and unrestrained down the front. I have yet to put such a theory to the test, but in my heart, I know that I’m right.
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