PinaLou follow in the Bristolian tradition of chilled out, laid back beats and female vocals to fall in love to, They are a Bristol-based band that play a fresh blend of diffuse, downbeat jazz with a hint of electronic funk and Bristol blues. 

The lineup reads like a UN general assembly registration list, with Scotland, Switzerland, South Africa, England, Luxembourg and Malaysia all represented in the six-piece outfit.

However,  PinaLou is not just another bland trip hop outfit who make it a point to mope and whinge at every opportunity. They express a much more organic and heartfelt sound than any amount of knob twiddling or signal-compression can achieve.

Fresh, emotive and groovy, PinaLou's music is always understated, expressive but not melodramatic, atmospheric but not bland.

Pina's vocals lend the tracks a diffuse quality, holding together the various elements that compose this jazz-fusion outfit. Her voice is more Astrud Gilberto than Ella Fitzgerald, powerful, yet quietly nuanced. 

Some standout tracks are Sunny Day, Spin, Don't Talk and Book of Rage, which contains some demonic-sounding rapping (?!). 

The most striking thing about this album is probably the sincerity of the effort in putting the music together. 

From the composition, to the delivery, and even the amazing pop-up CD jacket, it's evident that PinaLou love making music. An album well worth spending a night in with.

-joon, sep 2002

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