''USE YOUR PEN...AS REVENGE''
Pic: George Pitts, Painting by Mark Sheinkman
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This week MONOBLOG is proud to celebrate the release of electro-diva Vanessa Daou's sensual seventh album, LIGHT SWEET CRUDE.
Originally discovered by New York's underground electronic label NuGroove, Vanessa's debut on the international pop scene was with the release of the major label album ZIPLESS ( Krasnow/MCA, 1994 ). Now viewed as a landmark, it was simultaneously a shiny slice of classic pop, as well as a stunningly-realised electro-jazz hybrid, and thus was set apart from its contemporaries ( Portishead, Morcheeba, Tricky, etc. ), thanks to its combination of throbbing electronica and fluid jazz interludes, topped by Vanessa's trademark spectral vocal delivery. With lyrics taken from the poetry of ERICA JONG ( 'The Fear of Flying' ), it was a cool look at relationships and sexual politics, with the kind of frank lyrics that you're unlikely to find in a pop release, even now.
Being one of the first artists to navigate a career transition from major-label compromise to internet autonomy, throughout her career, Vanessa - also a dancer, visual artist and poet - has maintained a hardcore following amongst fans, DJs and producers, often popping up on chillout and electronic compilations, remix albums, in between her own lauded studio releases.
Fast forward to 2014, and Vanessa now releases LIGHT SWEET CRUDE, which sees the 'Daou sound' transition comfortably into contemporary sonics.
To celebrate the event, MONOBLOG presents a scrapbook containing the artist's statement and recent lyrics, with links to all the songs featured. And if that's not enough you can find Mark Reeder's Monochrome remix of 2012's Black & White on our MONOMUSIC tab above.
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Danger Ahead
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Dirty Blonde ( Non-album B-side )
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Revolution
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Footnote: Vanessa has hinted that she and Erica Jong are collaborating again, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Zipless. Whether that means a brand-new album, or a deluxe repackaging with contemporary remixes, stay tuned.
