niobe -- white hats.
Yvonne Cornelius is the German singer behind Niobe. Having recorded her album 'White Hats' in 2006, it is easy to say that 'White Hats' is Niobe's most accessible album since 'Tse Tse' and 'Voodooluba'. Having released her début album 'Radioersatz' on the Tomlab label in 2001, it was decided that it was time for a 'commissioned' song album; an album that would keep the integrity and origin of her beautiful melodies rather than deconstructing or dissimulating them. And so Niobe, keeping these aspects in mind, composed 'White Hats' with the help of some long time companions and musical partners.
'White Hats' projects memories from a vacation of skiing in the Swiss Alps sometime during the 50s. It bears the easiness, the miracles and the mysteries of nature in the mountains, painting picturesque soundscapes in your mind. Listening to the album, you imagine sitting at a prominent position on the terrace at the peak of a mountain with a panorama view. It is impressive that Niobe managed to bring so many different worlds into one record. The songs are beautiful, ranging in styles; from ambient and chillout, to melancholic vocal parts, to songs with a more jazzy feel -- the diverse sounds of 'White Hats' result in very experimental and unique music.
Full of colours, 'White Hats' transports you to an easygoing period in time, to a time were you could just lay back and not have to worry about anything.
Listen:
Niobe -- Give All To Love
Niobe -- Up Hill And Down Dale