- Nobody is Elvin Estella. Sounds a bit of a grand statement, but then Nobody is a curious name for an artist, suggesting he doesn't really want to live in the limelight. What can't be doubted is that this particular Nobody makes great music, and this second album is a nocturnal delight. It features covers of songs from acts as diverse as The Monkees, The Zombies and The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, often stripped to the bare bones and laid over some tasty slow hip hop grooves.
Estella uses some inventive textures, sometimes coming close to Air in his marriage of cool keyboard sounds and psychedelic effects. 'I Won't Hurt You' is a case in point, the opening analogue bubbles sounding like a dog having a bath! The Insect Trust Dub of Interlude 2 / Sioux's Rain Part III includes some evocative wind effects. Although working with covers, Nobody manages to include a good many samples and breaks, one of the best examples being 'Interlude 1', an uneasy child-like piece over a deep beat and brooding bass. 'Psilo-cycling' is pure chill-out, some curious metallic guitar effects invading the texture.
A rewarding listen then, and another quality release from San Francisco's Ubiquity. If you want to slow the pace after a hard night out partying, 'Pacific Drift' makes an imaginative choice.