Arto Lindsey .............. Invoke

An American born, Brazilian bred inhabitant of downtown Manhattan, Arto Lindsay creates challenging, intellectual and seductive music. His use of organic and industrial samples along with complex beat manipulations and abstract electronic themes have earned "INVOKE" the label of electronica. Though technically the sounds are rooted in the rhythms and aesthetic of Brazil's music movements including bossa nova, samba and tropicalia.

The title track "Illuminated" uses wavering time signatures, a complex bass line and romantic pop lyrics and tones that create a lush and hypnotic piece. The second track "Predigo" at first seems to be a scattered and violent arrangement, but reveals itself instead to be a complex symphony of sounds. During this piece I had the same thought I always have listening to Lindsay. "How did he think of that? And…why does it work so well?"

Lindsay's voice is something unusual as well. Where most popular songwriters have little emotion to their style of singing, he steps out with sad, sincere and vulnerable yet tranquil tones. Speaking in both English and Portuguese, he twists the notes up and down without ever losing his cool, though he expresses his emotions as clear as if he's screaming out at a poetry slam.

As a whole the album takes you through a challenging evolution and leaves you feeling fulfilled musically. In my opinion Lindsay's extremely original vision will be remembered for a long time.

Samantha Stark