Amour Amer

Bursting onto the scene with this stunning debut album, Joel Virgel, perhaps best known for his work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has brought to bear a selection of songs that are about as far removed from socks, party boy antics, and blistering alterna-funk as one can get.

Amour Amer is a primal, organic blend of Latin rhythms, smooth soul, and a remarkable fusion of both funk and jazz. And while this brew, in and of itself, is pretty darn fine on its own, Virgel adds a further twist, underpinning his work with cunningly well-placed sonic thumbprints. From the opening "Losing Me" which is awash with strings and horns, to the piano infused "Kiss Me" and on to the exquisitely cocktailed "Anaïs Nin," this musical maestro has created a canvas painted with songs that resonate with their own, indelible, stamp. But, taken as a whole, this completed portrait blends beautifully, each song hinging on the singer's own gravel-kissed voice. With the inclusion of two notable reinterpretations — Lou Reed's "Femme Fatale" and Serge Gainsbourg's "La Chanson de Slogan," Virgel, too, claims a far reaching sophistication that won't be found among many of his peers. Gorgeous no matter which way it's angled, Virgel proves himself a multi-faceted musician with a message of love and longing that comes through loud and clear.