Purity of sound is not in fashion these days; most bands prefer a musical stew. And Luxia is no exception with their eclectic blend of electronica, vocals, jazz and bossa nova. The project combines the talents of Jon Kingsley Hall and Peter George Stewart with co-production credit to Australian DJ Steve Hill and Mat Cook and vocals by Tiffany Nan Brace. It was conceived when Brace met with producer Hall at a music therapy workshop, and she proved that her powerful voice could compete with Hall’s beats. Indeed, her very emotional vocals are the most attractive features of Luxia’s sound (more compelling than Alexis Hart’s or Tom Ecologist’s). Though soulful, she can hardly be called melodramatic; the sound is much livelier than Portishead and less narcissistic than Bjork, for instance. Stewart and Hill’s production skills add a certain slickness, the lineage of which can be traced back to synth-pop Brit act, Kissing the Pink, Swedish/Danish DJ Stonebridge and French electronic artist St Germain. Like St Germain, Luxia’s beats provide the foundation upon which musical textures can grow, which make this music more suitable for the lounge, than the dance floor. Especially “Cool Mountain” and, “I Feel So Good” with their Nu/Soul jazz, trip hop, Bossa Nova sound; this is mellow, urban music at its best.
High Note Records

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
March 2006 issue



(c)that's Guangzhou
Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
March 2006 issue