With well over ten releases under her belt, Belgian jazz songstress Isabelle Antena is what I call a hidden gem. I have chosen this particular album as it has recently been reissued on CD but to little fanfare or acknowledgement. This needs rebalancing right away, and if you were an avid listener of Robbie Vincent's superb Radio 1 show back in the 80s then you will be more than aware of this Lady and this album. I write this on a perfect, hot, summers day and the mood is just right for the Latin jazzy vibes that this Lady excels. This CD is lovely, recorded in the UK in 1986 with the likes of Cam'elle Hinds backing her up, “En Cavale” is as hot property today as it was when released in the Summer of 1986. Originally intended for Mercury Records in the UK, the 2 year effort ended up with the chic Belgian record label Les Disques Du Crepiscule and the rest is, as they say...thankfully the chance to replace the worn-out vinyl, or, become acquainted with the Lady for the first time is now open to you. If you don't know the set, then check this out. The album opener is a blinding jazzy interpretation of Sister Sledge's “Easy Street”. The superb samba flavour with soulful sax and acoustic strumming is the real deal. The track oozes classy, chic and relates a sexier, European Chic to an already firm favourite. The first single lifted was the wonderful “Seaside Weekend” which was a big hit in Belgium! The gentle lapping of the sea and the compulsive, Brazilian rhythm draws you in, gets under your skin and presses, for me at least, all the right buttons. On a day such as today, happiness flows. What more can I say? The uptempo mood is replaced by a more brooding song complete with bass, vibes and pensive chords. “Ten Minutes” is beautifully written, and the lyrics, anxious though they may be, do nothing but relax you due to the sheer warmth, intimacy and luxuriance. The upbeat “Play Back” is sheer JOY. The Samba rhythm and the Benelux lilt are far from diverse bedfellows! This Lady is so sexy it hurts and her natural ability to find a natural home within the almost carnal rhythm is exciting. A bonus track on the CD issue (mine is the 1986 original BUT it's also on the reissue) is “Naughty Naughty” which is more soulful than jazzy and it's summery, playful vibe speaks of the flowering of sexual attraction and the excitement of new intimacies...fail to be moved by this then book your self a plot in the local cemetery! LOL.
Barry Towler,
