SPEED LIMIT II

On their first album Seffer composed side one and Bucchi side two. Here it's the other way around (just to be fair I suppose) although the final song on side one was composed by Janick Top. Janick Top replaces Joe Dugrenot on bass from the first album as the major change, although the lead guitarist from the debut is gone and not replaced unfortunately, as his playing was a highlight for me from that record. There is a string section as well on this one and another big change from the debut are the prominant vocal melodies. I swear that it's a female singing but as Hugues mentions the only vocals credited are to 4 of the 5 male players.

"Breeze Borealis" opens with flute as vocal melodies come in. Bass, drums and piano create the melody as sax arrives 2 1/2 minutes in. Great sound,especially Top's deep bass lines. The vocal melodies get theatrical (crazy) before 5 minutes. "A Run Around The Block" renminds me of the debut as it is more jazzy and uptempo with Seffer leading the way. "Jettatura" really has it's focus on the vocal melodies and flute early. Nice bass 1 1/2 minutes in as sax comes in. This is a cool relaxing tune with a groove. Vocal melodies with flute end it. "Good Night Little Bear" is a short song with piano melodies throughout.

"African Dance No.3" is the Janick Top song and my least favourite. It sounds like an ethnic tune of some sort with chanting. "Pastoral Idyl Part I" opens with strings that sound like background music from an old TV show.Thankfully it changes 1 1/2 minutes in as the strings stop and the bass takes over. "Lemon Tree" has a jazzy bass / drum intro as sax comes in. Piano after 2 minutes. Nice sax work after 4 minutes. I like this one a lot and it reminds me of their debut. "Reaching The Stars" features more strings with vocal melodies before 2 1/2 minutes. "To The Girl Of The Moon" has more strings as vocal melodies again join in, but this time they are more theatrical. "Pastoral Idyl Part II" opens with strings but changes to a Zeuhlish melody as deep bass and vocal melodies take over. Sax and piano come in. This sounds much better than the strings, although the strings are back to end the song.

I'm in the minority but I do prefer the debut.The jazzy melodies dominate on that one plus I love the guitar. This one is much more adventerous with more variety though. I'm just not big on the orchestration and operatic vocals. The passages I usually really like remind me of the debut. A matter of taste I suppose.