Imagine you are back in high school, suffering through another period of English Lit, when you turn around and see an unlikely pair: skinny Jewish kid with a pencil-thin mustache, sporting an off-white Miami Vice jacket next to a stocky Arab kid with a Roland keytar slung around his neck and only speaking through a talk-box. Could you then imagine they might one day tour the world together as throwback 80's R&B lazerlight lotharios?
Could this have actually happened? According to Dave 1 & P-Thugg of Chromeo, it's quite possible, as the two did meet in high school... although they most likely took a few years to develop the Chromeo sound. They now channel yesteryear's R&B heroes (Cameo, Hall & Oats, Zapp & Roger) and toss off slick electrofunk grooves like needy girl's phone numbers. Their energetic, oversexed live shows get the asses bouncing, the tenderonis screaming and the momma's boys kicked to the curb. All of this was clearly on display at their recent performance opening for The Chemical Brothers as part of KCRW's World Festival Series at the Hollywood Bowl, as well as a hilariously cheeky guest session on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.
After a couple of bona-fide full-length releases under their belts, Chromeo are set to drop their major-label debut Business Casual in September. And those who may be concerned that all this success will alter the proven Chromeo formula need not worry... the duo stick to the old adage: if it ain't broke, don't break it. "Don't Turn the Lights On" pulls off the unique trick of turning seductive pillow talk into a legit dancefloor burner, while "Night By Night" sounds as if it could serve as the soundtrack to any heart-racing 80's movie montage (insert karate practice or dance contest sequence of your choice). Like all good dance music, Chromeo is both retro & futuristic... akin to going back to the future in a pimped-out Delorean. But it is guaranteed to be a smooth, sexy ride.
- Dan Wilcox, KCRW Music Host and DJ
Watch Chromeo's live performance and interview on KCRW's Morning Become Eclectic, August 30, 2010 here.
Business Casual will be On-Demand from September 06, 2010 through October 4, 2010. The album will be released on September 14, 2010.
Artist Website: www.chromeo.net
TrackListing
1. Hot Mess
2. I'm Not Contagious
3. Night By Night
4. Don't Turn The Lights On
5. You Make It Rough
6. When The Night Falls
7. Don't Walk Away
8. J'ai claque la porte
9. The Right Type
10. Grow Up