According to Wikipedia UFO’s music is ‘nu-jazz’ or jazztronica. I have no idea what that means. But I like it. It’s similar to the Acid Jazz sounds of mid-80s London from the likes of the James Taylor Quartet and Jazzanova. United Future Organisation are, however, Japanese and their style, at least on this album (I neither own or know of their others) has a distinctly European feel. Combining pseudo-soundtrack quotes, both musical and spoken, with a penchant for Gainsbourgesque smooth sophistication, coupled with funky bass and jazzy (synthesized) brass.
Whatever label you want to attribute to it, there are some really phat tunes on this album. It’s simply a very enjoyable listen. There are no dud tracks, it’s perfect for sunny days, and the album should probably be better known in the UK. I love the opening two tracks, His Name Is… and The Planet Plan, and if they fail to get you moving it’s probably too late to check your pulse. Spy’s Spice is super funky, and I’m a sucker for a funky drummer. There’s a Latin Hi-NRG flamenco vibe on Cosmic Gypsy and some great spoken word excerpts throughout which I think are from various Kung Fu/Bruce Lee films, but there’s no reference to them in the sleeve notes.
Playing on the whole spy soundtrack theme, this is effectively a concept album. I’m not sure if there’s meant to be a clear narrative between songs, but it feels like there should be. This album isn’t on Spotify, but some of their others are, so check them out if you’ve not heard before and enjoy the sound of cool film noir, French-Japanese style.
Best Bits: The Planet Plan
Genre: Japanese Acid Jazz
Like This, Try This: Great piece of Tron-style animation to the opening track, His Name Is…
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