by Stewart Mason
Dutch producers Roberto Adani and Daniel Wolf have been working together since the late '90s, but Les Seigneurs (Episode 1) is their first release under their own name. Mellow and down-tempo without ever crossing over into mere ambient prettiness, Adani & Wolf use pop melodies (check out the Pink Floyd-like opening of the slinky "Onto the Light") and touches of jazz instrumentation to enhance their largely electronic dance sound; the results are closer to Air or Morcheeba than any of the more single-minded groove merchants. Catchy pop songs like the swooning ballad "So Sensual" sit comfortably next to beat-based instrumentals, and the album's 15 songs flow together perfectly, linked by snatches of a melody that's finally fully explored in the closing title track. Suitable both for chillout time and closer listening, Les Seigneurs (Episode 1) is one of the most immediately appealing electronic albums of 2005.