Electribal Memories

In contrast to the sample-based, cut-and-paste, funky-drum-loop approach of many dance and electronic albums released in 1990, UK band Electribe 101 with Hamburg-born lead singer Billie Ray Martin put out this sleek, slick, sophisticated synth-based collection of precisely arranged house and electronic torch songs, all defined by Martin’s instantly recognisable and always seemingly doleful vocals. There’s a mesmerising quality to the combination of Martin’s vocals and the clean, efficient, restrained synth and drum machine tracks, Electribal Memories continually striking a not unpleasant mood of melancholy and detached loneliness, making for a haunting electronic soul album.