Released: December 1
Assembling an all-star line-up of collaborators for a body of work that reimagines hits from 1982-2012, Trevor Horn’s latest LP is a musical sandbox.
‘Echoes: Ancient & Modern’ features 11 songs – 10 collaborations and a Horn-sung version of Roxy Music’s Avalon – showcasing not only his production prowess, but an innate knack for pairing artist and song.
“Finding the right singers was as important as finding the songs, probably more so,” he recalls. “It’s an album by me, as a kind of auteur. I’m the artist commissioning other artists rather than them hiring me.”
Tori Amos’ rendition of Kendric Lamar’s Swimming Pools (Drank) is reimagined as a stripped-back piano song, rising to a crescendo with soaring strings and a masterful vocal from the singer-songwriter.
Frequent Horn collaborator Seal’s take on Joe Jackson’s Steppin’ Out is a more laid-back affair that draws on his vocals and flips the mood on its head, while Owner Of A Lonely Heart – originally recorded by Yes – feat. Rick Astley has an Ibiza poolside vibe.
Lady Blackbird’s take on Grace Jones’ Slave To The Rhythm is another orchestral masterclass, while Toyah Willcox & Robert Fripp completely reimagine Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s Relax as a simmering downtempo piece and Iggy Pop delivers blues-rock on Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus.
Bringing the album to a close is the man behind the music, with Horn offering a laidback farewell that proves him to be in fine voice. “It’s a little like at the end of the show I’m saying this is me – the producer, the band leader, but also the performer – signing off,” he says, adding: “For now…”
These kinds of projects tread a fine line and it’s all too easy to slip into karaoke territory, but one so masterful as Horn knows how to avoid such pitfalls and, with a stellar ensemble of vocalists at his disposal, shows himself once again to be one of British music’s finest. Volume 2, anyone?
