An absolute classic on the cards for you today, with arguably Basement Jaxx’s best song. Romeo is a funky blend of sirens and carnival vocals, provided by Kele Le Roc, that swirls into a pop elixir that stans the test of time. Personally, I’d erupt in a club if this came on.
Basement Jaxx consist of South Londoners Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton. They met in the 90s, on a riverboat party on the Thames hosted by the latter, and blended their influences from Latin funk and Chicago house to create a truly unique sound that helped drive the growing UK house sound throughout the 90s. After enjoying a great deal of success throughout the 90s, releasing EPs and albums, and enjoying radio plays both sides of the Atlantic, 2001 saw the duo release Rooty, their second studio album. It released on XL Recordings in the UK and on Astralwerks in the USA. Track number one? Romeo.
Basement Jaxx are sonically pioneering, exquisite producers of music, yet their work often gets criticised for its lack of vision. Pitchfork, in particular, had scathing reviews of this album and this song, but I disagree. It’s fun and upbeat, and may also act as an easy segway for young fans to discover electronic music and UK house. The lyrics aren’t groundbreaking, but what house song lyrics are? If it gets you dancing then it’s heading in the right direction, and the blend of carnival soul into their signature house production was a fresh take back in 2001.
Personally, I think music can sometimes be over-analysed. In fact, it is the same for all art forms. If you enjoy something, be that a song, album, painting, building, film or even a cupboard, then that’s all that matters. In the case of Basement Jaxx’s Romeo, the funky sound washes me with nostalgia and I for one am here for some old school UK house. Bring on the weekend
A Song A Day 