Rainy Days Lead To Great Stories

Dusty Rainbow from the Dark is the fourth album released by French DJ/producer Jean-Christophe Le Saoût under the moniker Wax Tailor, and is his most ambitious to date. A concept album, it will bring you back to sitting on the floor of your childhood room, reading a story book along with the record player.  The only thing missing is the unmistakable chime indicating it’s time to turn the page.

“The rainbow is a path/it leads from dark to light/and from light to dark/it leads to your imagination/if you open your mind you will find your dusty rainbow from the dark.” These are the words spoken to the boy from his mother that begin the journey. As a whole, the album is a story of make-believe that runs rampant as the boy and his mother ride out a rainstorm. The boy with his records, and his eccentric mother planting ideas in her son’s head, set the story in motion.

This is an album best listened to as a whole, but there are some tracks that could be taken out of context. “The Sound”, featuring Mattic, is a little more upbeat than others on the album and has the power to turn a living room into a dance floor. Mattic’s  mic skills are reminiscent of Rob Base, and combined with Wax Tailor’s instrumentation, recreates the ethos of house parties from the early age of hip-hop. “Down In Flames” features the unique voice of Sara Genn. “Years blow by like hurricanes/years go down in flames.” is the mantra she repeats, as her songbird-like voice floats over a sleek bass line and an atmospheric melody, creating a pretty, yet depressing, lullaby.

Wax Tailor is an extremely talented producer and storyteller, and Dusty Rainbow from the Dark is one of the better concept albums released recently. Enjoyed as one cohesive story, the album will take you away from the drudgery of adulthood, and remind you what it was like to be a child.  With that being said, the casual listener will still find gems nestled within that would make perfect playlist material.