Lightweight Heavy

by Matt WhalleyLightweight Heavy is a downtempo album with a unique style. In a genre that is so preoccupied with image and look, so many downtempo albums are indistinguishable from each other. Fat Jon uses all the elements of a generic downtempo album but does it with a deliberate style and to greater effect. Haunting female vocals give the tracks a mistiness that blends well with the lazy piano riffs. The funk drumming drives the tracks with piano samples and echo hanging off the groove. Fat Jon understates the jazz influence on the tracks and keeps them very simple. Horns are left out entirely and the ambient aspects of cool jazz remain. Lightweight Heavy is a more relaxed and consistent album than Fat Jon's Humanoid Erotica, which had far more of a dance influence and followed a stronger core theme. Lightweight Heavy's packaging isn't as elaborate as Humanoid Erotica's,, but it is the better album. The style is much more refined and focused despite the lack of an upfront theme. Fat Jon's contrasting hard drumbeats and gentle vocals make for some downtempo that is instantly recognizable and near the top of the genre.