Mixing pop and modern dance in a way Madonna would sell her latest offspring to achieve, ‘Big Sir’ are a two man and one woman sensation waiting to arrive at a club near you, and maybe a radio and TV as well. Armed with just some sequencers, keyboards, bass and a mixture of organic and electronic drums they produce a wonderfully mellow slice of trip-hop that is perfect ‘getting to and from the club’ music.
The icing on this particular musical cake though is the voice of Lisa Papineau whose laid back delivery is reminiscent of the ‘chick from Portishead’ (I think that is her real name). The difference between the two bands is that for all their inventiveness, Big Sir are at heart still a pop band who happened to live in a techno neighborhood, rather than a club band who has strayed into pop territory. It is a subtle difference to be sure, but it explains how the eleven tracks on showcase manage to stay within the confines of the three to four minute pop song format, and structure, whilst still experimenting with some invigoratingly mellow rhythms.
After a brief spoken word intro we launch into ‘Lisa’s Theme’ presumably named for Ms. Papineau, it has some wonderful bass playing courtesy of Juan Alderete which wraps itself serpentine like around the hypnotic drumming of Troy "no need for a slave name". It is a stripped back song that shows off the vocals to very good effect. I know I have probably already overused the word mellow, but hell it is, and a check of my Thesaurus gives some very weak alternatives; "easygoing, gentle, good-natured, easy, cordial, friendly, warm, drunk". None of those terms would do this track any sort of justice.
Next up is the sprightlier, more aggressive pop of "The Pistol Chasers" which uses some deliciously cheesy ‘80s drum machine rolls across some decidedly more up to date music. It is funky and even a little bit punky, another side of ‘Big Sir’ exposed to the listener.
‘Nonstop Drummer’ is the fourth track, and is easily the tune that is most reminiscent of ‘Portishead’, a slow, deep groove slides around like molasses stuck in a jar. Above it Lisa proves once and for all that she has a simply superb voice, matched to the music better than about 99% of the bands I have ever listened to, and I have listened to more than my fair share.
The album continues on in this manner, twisting and turning between its pop/traditional and dance/experimental areas. The production is crisp and understated, avoiding the dangers of ‘clever-clever’ that plague so many dance recordings. In the end though what really pushes this album out from the crowd is the three musicians on display. Lisa Papineau has such an appropriate voice. The bass lines of Juan Alderete are intelligent and different from anything a machine would create. The drumming of Troy is also clever enough to be different and challenging without losing sight of the fact its primary job is to hold up the rest of the instruments.
Downloadable samples are available on CD Baby and other places on the web so if you are a fan of laid back, groove orientated dance music then check out Big Sir, I have a feeling you will not be disappointed.

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