(One World)

His high profile guests obviously had no doubts at all

Hardage’s MySpace page tells us that he was born in Italy, the son of noted American artist Susy Hardage. Before music, he was a chef in America, returning to Italy for a real estate career (where he applied his expertise in neuro-linguistic programming). And he dedicates this CD “to the culture of doubt, to the wisdom of doubt, which should always accompany one’s perception of reality”. Still, that doesn’t explain the amazing array of well-known musicians joining him on this project. They include soul diva Jocelyn Brown, Peter Gabriel, Mark King (the mainman of ‘80s Britfunk outfit Level 42), reggae veteran Maxi Priest and Spearhead’s Michael Franti. While they clearly add their distinctive voices to these dozen tracks, it’s Hardage’s interest in melding elements of electro, lounge, ambient and chill-out music that really colours these pieces. Heading smoothly into a cooled-down, atmospheric groove, the scene is set with his lightly percolating Latin swing take on Peter Gabriel’s Big Time. But no matter who he invites to provide the vocal focus, each track cruises along with a laidback but still syncopated sophistication. Hmm, I feel a mojito coming on, or maybe a frozen daiquiri.

BILL HOLDSWORTH

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