Si*Se – More Shine

Si*Se Shine On

It only takes the first few notes DJ Carol C sings on Si*Se’s sophomore CD, More Shine, to spark a comparison to Sade. Both women have an exotic ethnicity that adds to the mysteriously seductive quality of their voices. But where Sade’s voice set her apart from the music around her, Carol C’s has an airiness that blends effortlessly with the soft electronic-soul sound of Si*Se. It works with the music of her five bandmates—including primary partner, programmer U.F. Low—to create a unique whole. At the heart of Si*Se’s sound is the movement of latin rhythm. Devoid of the showy bombast and silliness of, say, a Ricky Martin album, More Shine doesn’t spotlight Si*Se’s ethnic influences. On tracks such as “Mariposa En Havana,” it infuses the music naturally, helping to create a sophisticated vibe. With the exception of the straight-up disco track “Karma,” each song possesses a rhythmic undercurrent that propels the album forward. It is an invitation to dance without the headachy pulse of house music. There are no dull moments, but not many thrills either. An easy, even tempo is maintained resulting in a smooth, uninterrupted flow, even if no particular song stands out.

More Shine, is a neat collection of songs that play well together. The lyrics sung in English are generally unimportant; the Spanish tracks may hold more depth, but that seems unlikely. Some tracks are mere clips of sound—rhythms that didn’t develop into a fully realized song, but were too good to be ignored. The album’s success lies with the fact that very track strikes an engaging balance between a warm performance and electronic execution.